REPORTING TO:                        Bacterial Fruit Blotch Program Supervisor

GEOGRAPHICAL REPORTING LOCATION:        Eurofins STA Laboratoaries, Gilroy, California

WORKING LOCATION:         Eurofins STA Laboratoaries, Gilroy, California

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Process California Seed Health samples in an efficient and timely manner, using reliable methods, and in accordance to ESTA guidelines and policies.        

Process BFB, Bacterial and/or Viral seed samples submitted for seed health testing at the Gilroy, CA facility.

Follow ESTA protocols

Incorporate improvements into protocols in accordance to QA and ESTA company goals under the supervision of a trained Associate Technician or higher.

Assist with all aspects of BFB processing including counting seeds, preparing media and buffers, preparing greenhouses and planting seed samples, seedling evaluations, etc.

Assist with all aspects of laboratory confirmations for BFB program including, immunostrip testing, PCR, pathogenicity tests, etc.

As time permits, assist with all aspects of bacterial and viral processing including counting seeds, preparing buffers and reagents, loading plates for ELISA , plating seedwash extracts, etc.

Inform supervisor and/or manager of resource and labor issues prior to upcoming projects/tests.

Discuss with appropriate Program Leader or supervising Associate Technician of sample processing status whenever results will not meet assigned due dates.

Maintenance of general laboratory equipment and greenhouses.

Maintain designated equipment as specified in equipment control plans and data logs.

Maintain glassware, materials, and other supplies as needed for media, buffers, and planting needs.

QA and Customer Service
Perform testing in accordance with ESTA QA protocols.
Record processing details on lab sheets and all corresponding paperwork.
Maintain customer confidentiality in accordance with ESTA policies.

Assure timeliness
Process samples in a timely manner in order to meet customer needs.
Communicate resource needs to appropriate Program Leader or supervising Associate Technician prior to upcoming projects and/or sample due dates to ensure the timely processing of all samples.

 Health and Safety
Abide by all rules and regulations within the ESTA Health and Safety manual.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Undergraduate degree with one to two years of relevant experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.  Laboratory setting that involves glassware, hazardous chemicals, and others working in close proximity.