Public Health Scientist Associ

The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Public Health Scientist Associate for the State Agricultural Laboratory. The State Agricultural Laboratory supports the Department’s mission of protecting the public’s health and safety by providing laboratory and scientific services to the regulatory divisions as well as to other state, federal and tribal agencies.

Under general supervision, the individual selected to fill this position will be responsible for technical laboratory testing and analysis on produce, meat, dairy, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, seed and other food product samples that have been submitted to the State Agricultural Laboratory.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Perform quality assurance reviews of both chemical and biological analytical results.
• Perform analyses of food samples, testing for presence of microbiological agents
• Analyze scientific data to produce final test results.
• Perform chemical tests to determine presence and/or extent of contamination by toxic, hazardous, and/or regulated chemicals.
• Perform analyses of food, soil, and/or water samples, testing for the presence of pesticide residues.
• Perform test of agricultural products and commodities for regulatory compliance
• Participate in the quality assurance, preventive maintenance and loss control program.
• Sample and reagent preparation for daily laboratory examinations.
• Clean, sterilize, utilize and maintain laboratory equipment.
• Discard finished analyzed samples and general laboratory cleaning and maintenance.
• May require supervision of other laboratory staff members.
• Maintain confidentiality and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• Laboratory practices and principles of chemistry and microbiology
• Laboratory equipment, terminology
• Testing and analysis
• Handling and testing of animal, plant, food, feed, agricultural chemical, soil, air, water, and seed specimens
• Handling and working with and decontamination of infectious, highly toxic and hazardous materials
• Quality assurance principles
• Safety practices in a laboratory environment
• Supervisory principles
• Good customer service principles

Skilled in:
• Use and care of laboratory equipment
• Computer and computer software
• Analysis of scientific data
• Oral and written communication
• Organization and attention to detail
• Applying safety precautions and procedures
• Basic math principles

Ability to:
• Perform analytical laboratory analysis
• Determine if method parameters are met
• Manual dexterity with fine motor control
• Review scientific data with extraordinary attention to details
• Good record keeping
• Write technical reports
• Lead and supervise others

Bachelor’s Degree in Science or related scientific field such as Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology or other Physical Science currently utilized with the Department of Agriculture State Laboratory employees.

Certification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the analysis of dairy products or the ability to become certified within 12 months after hire.

Arizona Driver’s License

This ideal candidate for this position will have:

Experience in Chemistry, Microbiology, Biology or other Physical Science in a laboratory setting.

• In-state travel is required. Driver’s License Requirements. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact us at (602) 542-6532 or azdahumanresources@azda.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (602) 542-6532 or azdahumanresources@azda.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.