Laboratory Assistant

Are you looking for an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and experience working in a scientific environment? Become a Laboratory Assistant for the Department of Agriculture, and take this opportunity to learn hands-on laboratory skills while supporting important animal health work. The work you will do helps keep testing operations running smoothly and provides a direct way to support agricultural communities. Every day brings new tasks that build confidence and practical experience. Join the Department of Agriculture and help protect the health and safety of your fellow Pennsylvanians!

In this position, you will support the daily operations of the Pathology and Histology groups by helping receive animals and specimens, preparing materials, and assisting with sample processing. The work you will do supports accurate testing and safe laboratory practices. As a Laboratory Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Specimen Intake: Interview submitters, obtain information, review paperwork, and prepare materials for processing
• Sample Preparation: Prepare carcasses and specimens for evaluation and collect tissues as directed
• Material Processing: Package, label, store, and distribute specimens, as well as entering and maintaining accurate data
• Sanitation Tasks: Clean and maintain laboratory areas, tools, instruments, and equipment
• Waste Handling: Assist with proper disposal of carcasses, chemicals, sharps, and other waste materials
• Quality Support: Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), document work, and maintain records related to quality assurance

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• This is a temporary, full-time position.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, 1 day a month. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Additional Requirements:

• The candidate selected for this position will be required to be vaccinated against rabies prior to the start of employment and maintain a current rabies vaccination throughout the duration of employment.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Experience working in a laboratory setting
• Experience working with animals, especially livestock/agricultural species
• Knowledge of agricultural species/agriculture in any capacity
• Ability to work with animal carcasses, fresh and autolyzed tissues, and bodily fluids including blood, gastrointestinal content, fecal material, and inflammatory byproducts
• Experience working with mechanized tools

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.