AGRICULTURE LABORATORY ADMINISTRATOR - 03112025-66140

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor¿s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology or a related acceptable field and experience equivalent to five years of full-time increasingly responsible professional analytical laboratory experience including at least one year of analytical laboratory supervisory experience.

Graduate coursework in a related acceptable field may be substituted for the required non-supervisory experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of two years.

Overview

SUMMARY

Under general supervision, is responsible for professional analytical laboratory supervisor work of considerable difficulty and performs related work as required

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

An employee in this class functions as a supervisor of several analytical laboratory sections within the Department of Agriculture. An incumbent supervises section managers and professional laboratory staff. This classification oversees the day-to-day operations of an analytical laboratory including supervision of laboratory staff, evaluates section performance, ensures compliance, oversees the development of testing methods, and provides input on departmental policy and procedure. This class differs from that of Chemist, or Microbiologist 4's in that incumbents of the latter act as single section managers rather than as supervisor and coordinator of several service sections.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and evaluate professional laboratory staff performing chemical and microbiological analysis, to ensure the compliance of regulatory standards for stakeholders within the Agriculture industry.
• Evaluate the performance of laboratory sections by monitoring laboratory services response time, completion of initial and ongoing proficiency tests, accuracy and precision, cost efficiency, and results of internal audits.
• Ensure laboratory sections are in compliance with expected accreditations by working directly with quality assurance team.
• Facilitate communication within the Department of Agriculture to ensure laboratory services will meet the requirements of Cooperative Agreements linked to federal grants by acting as the Principal Investigator of those agreements.
• Communicate with administrative staff to ensure inventory and equipment procurement, installation, maintenance, and disposal needs are met to facilitate the optimal operation of the laboratory.
• Oversee the identification and validation of current and proposed testing methods and techniques that are based on specific customer needs.
• Work with executive leadership to provide input on the development and evaluation of policy that effects the laboratory services provided by the Department of Agriculture.
• Develop and implement internal policies and procedures for Department of Agriculture laboratories to guarantee safe and efficient operations.
• Oversee the following analytical laboratory testing processes: separation techniques (including gas and liquid chromatography), mass spectrometry, absorption/emission spectroscopy, elemental analysis, immunosorbent assays, and other methods of chemical and microbiological analysis
• Manage and implement laboratory record keeping processes to verify required information is being kept and that retention policies are followed.
• Manage hazardous material and laboratory waste storage and disposal programs by following current guidelines and regulations.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

Comfort Around Higher Management

Composure

Conflict Management

Customer Focus

Developing Direct Reports and Others

Directing Others

Integrity and Trust

Intellectual Horsepower

Planning

Knowledge:

Administration and Management

Biology

Chemistry

Clerical

Customer and Personal Service

English Language

Law and Government

Mathematics

Mechanical

Physics

Skills:

1. Active Listening

2. Complex Problem Solving

3. Equipment Selection

4. Management of Personnel Resources

5. Reading Comprehension

6. Science

7. Speaking

8. Systems Evaluation

9. Time Management

10. Writing

Abilities:

Deductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

Oral Comprehension

Oral Expression

Originality

Problem Sensitivity

Spatial Orientation

Speech Clarity

Written Comprehension

Written Expression

Tools & Equipment

• Fax Machine
• Copy Machine
• Cell Phone
• Safety Equipment/PPE
• Motor Vehicles
• Heavy Equipment
• Digital Meters
• Digital Balances
• Chromatograph-liquid, mass spectrometry, gas
• Titration equipment
• Mass Spectrometer
• Electronic Pipettes
• Microsoft Office Suite