LABORATORY TECHNICIAN - CHEMIST- INTERNAL ONLY (Guthrie Agriculture Center, Charleston, WV)

Position Description
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Job Title: Technical Lead  - Chemistry  - Internal Only 
Division: Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division
Headquarters: Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV
Reports To:  Assistant Director, Laboratory Services 
Supervisory 
Responsibility:  Yes 
FLSA Status: Exempt

INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY

Nature of work:
Under general direction, this role serves as the supervisory lead between the laboratory staff of the assigned section and the Assistant Director and Deputy Director in the Regulatory and Environmental Affairs Division of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture. The Technical Lead directly oversees a team of Chemist or Seed Analysts/Microscopists,. This requires a high level of initiative, problem-solving skills, and the ability to make decisions on routine laboratory matters. The Technical Lead manages day-to-day laboratory operation within the framework of the quality management system. The Technical Lead will be headquartered at the Gus R. Douglass Agricultural Center at Guthrie and may be required to attend conferences, training, and meeting's both nationally and internationally

Examples of Work Performed:

• Directing, coordinating, and overseeing all laboratory section activities including testing, planning, and quality control
• Prioritizing workload and assigning/reviewing tasks for professional and clerical staff
• Reviewing laboratory reports for accuracy and suitability before release to customers
• Maintaining laboratory certification or accreditation to meet quality management system standards
• Ensuring personnel are trained for their roles, including providing coverage for absent staff
• Counsels and disciplines employees as needed to achieve productivity
• Working with the Quality Manager and Assistant Director to ensure all laboratory staff maintain the appropriate proficiency levels
• Ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and quality management systems
• Coordinating equipment calibration and servicing with laboratory staff to ensure optimal functionality
• Working with the Quality Manager and Assistant Director to ensure all standard operating procedures are up to date with their respective reference methods
• Recognizing and tackling any possible areas for enhancement within the laboratory.
• Conducting risk assessments whenever potential opportunities for improvement arise.
• Supervising and approving Identifying employee time
• Attending quality management meetings as a representative of their respective laboratory section
• Handling customer complaints and inquiries professionally
• Ensuring that the needs of customers and clients are met
• Collaborating with the Assistant Director and Deputy Director on purchasing requests and procurements

Working Conditions:   Activities include sitting, standing, walking, driving, and computer use. Physical ability to lift and maneuver 40 pounds

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the ISO 17025:2017 Standard
• Working knowledge of software systems used to track data and records
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to review department laboratory procedures and policies, recommending revisions and establishing new procedures as necessary
• Ability to plan, prepare, implement, and review staff activities
• Ability to analyze data and draw conclusions
• Effective communication with stakeholders and the public
• Strong interpersonal skills for conflict resolution
• Ability to exercise good judgment in appraising situations and making decisions

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry or related field.
Experience: Two years of effective full-time employment in a comparable role, which included direct supervision responsibilities.
Substitution: Masters or Ph D. degree in microbiology, chemistry, biochemistry, or related field may be substituted for required experience

Additional Requirements:

• Dependable transportation and proof of insurance.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Willingness to travel and work hours other than normal, as needed, to accomplish program, unit, division, or department tasks.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.

                           This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.
                                              West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer