• Performs support functions in the Environmental Department for the Bureau of Lab Services (BLS) within the Office of Public Health (OPH)
• Maintains responsibility, when required, for acid fixing samples, checking the turbidity of samples, logging samples, making media, salinity checks and ensuring that samples meet acceptance criteria.
• Uses the laboratory information management system (LIMS) to log samples, track samples, enter sample results, and to release reports to Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Engineering Services or other appropriate end users.
• Participates in annual and quarterly quality control and proficiency testing as needed.
• Performs routine daily, weekly, and monthly quality control and quality assurance duties.
• Reports all quality failures to the laboratory supervisor, manager, and/or quality assurance officer.
• Completes a non-conformance report and root cause analysis for quality control failures as needed.
• Maintains awareness and understanding of laboratory safety and security including following good chemical and biological hygiene practices when handling samples and chemical reagents.
• Reports unsafe conditions to the laboratory supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Other tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree, or Associate’s degree plus 3 years of professional experience, or 6 years of professional work experience.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills; effective organizational and time management skills.
• Great attention to detail and follow up.
• Ability to manage projects, assignments, and competing priorities.
• Proficient in the use of Zoom, Teams, and Microsoft Office, including but not limited to Outlook, Word, and Excel.

DESIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological, environmental, or chemical science.
• Advanced degree.
• Minimum 1 year professional experience working as a laboratory assistant, laboratory technical assistant, laboratory technician.
• Minimum 1 year professional experience with the laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Valid Laboratory Technician or related license/certification.