SENIOR MICROBIOLOGIST
Little Rock, AR, US, 72205
Position Number: 22165193
County: Pulaski
Posting End Date: Open Until Filled
Anticipated Starting Salary: $45,010
Lab Services
Hiring Authority:
1 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501/823-1751
Email: susan.house@agriculture.arkansas.gov
As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.
Position Information
Class Code: B127C
Grade: GS08
FLSA Status: EXEMPT
Salary Range: $45,010.00 - $65,265.00
Summary
Functions
Dimensions
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or other program related fields; plus three years of experience in laboratory testing and analysis, laboratory operations or a related field, including one year in a microbiology laboratory and one year in a leadership capacity. Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE. June 9, 2011
Licenses
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Preferred Qualifications:
Reporting to the microbiology section supervisor, the incumbent will function as the team leader for the State of Arkansas’ program for Chronic Wasting Disease screening using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) procedure. Managing this program, which is a partnership between the Arkansas Agriculture Department and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, demands authentic laboratory skills in high-throughput, high-complexity bench work coupled with seasoned interpersonal skills for scheduling personnel and interacting with external stakeholders. Seasonal surges in sample throughput will require the utmost in productivity, and off-peak workflow in the bacteriology section will also be an essential element of this position. Familiarity with prion diseases is highly sought.
- Documented experience performing high complexity laboratory procedures on a large volume of samples (high throughput).
- Documented experience assessing and adapting laboratory workflows to maximize efficiency and accuracy of laboratory processes.
- Documented experience managing laboratory inventories.
- Documented experience troubleshooting equipment failures and performing routine preventative maintenance as scheduled.
- Ability to work alone and within a team.
- Documented experience writing standard operating procedures.
- Minimum 3 years laboratory experience with documentation of increasing responsibilities in the laboratory.
Documented experience working in a BSL-2 (enhanced) laboratory setting handling animal tissues
Nearest Major Market: Little Rock