Address: State Agriculture Laboratory
145 W. 79th Street Ste. 4 m Chandler AZ

Salary: 29.89 - 29.89

Grade: 20

Closing Date: 12/05/2025

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for a Public Health Scientist for the State Agricultural Laboratory; the position is located in Chandler Arizona.

The position will perform routine and non-routine microbiological biochemical and/or chemical examinations tests and analyses. Utilizes scientific instruments. Provides documented reports of analytical test results. Works with pathogenic toxic and/or other hazardous materials.

Duties to include but not limited to:
Performs various chemical biochemical bacteriological biological and microscopic analysis and examinations on official regulatory samples.
Prepare various samples for analysis including subsampling grinding homogenizing and dissecting; uses laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
Analyzes scientific data to produce final test results; performs quality control tests; documents and records test results utilizing a wide variety of scientific software applications.
May train other team members in performing specific scientific tests.
Review generated data for validity.
Work independently to accommodate the daily demands of a rapidly changing regulatory testing laboratory.
Research application of laboratory instruments to new sample types; maintains the aptitude level of a highly skilled scientist; proposes method development strategies for review by senior scientists and lab managers; serves as a member of laboratory teams such as the hazardous waste safety audit or IT committees.
Calibrates maintains and services a wide array of laboratory instruments and equipment; retains records for all actions performed; maintains proper inventory of critical maintenance/repair components; confers with vendor specialists for remediation of instrument issues; ensures proper software versioning and security for instrument data systems.
Receives official regulatory samples and validates compliance with sample collection and submission criteria including chain of custody; performs accession distribution preservation and disposal of regulatory samples; maintains inventory of schedule 1 narcotics samples and standards as required by the Drug Enforcement Agency; prepares culture media chemical standards and reagents; sterilizes pathogenic organisms; assists the laboratory manager with disposal of spent laboratory chemicals and hazardous wastes.

Knowledge
Principles and practices of microbiology including bacterial and serological specialties and characteristics of pathogenic responses; principles and practices of analytical organic inorganic and physical chemistry; principles and practices of developing validating and documenting scientific testing methods; handling and testing of animal plant food feed agricultural chemical soil air water and seed specimens; principles practices and Federal/State standards of regulatory (forensic) testing; capabilities usage maintenance and repair of specialized scientific equipment; procedures of maintaining chain of custody for regulatory enforcement samples; principles of mathematics and statistics; utilization of business and scientific computer systems; principles of quality assurance; practices and procedures of handling working with and decontamination of pathogenic highly toxic and hazardous materials; practices and procedures of laboratory safety; policies and procedures of the work unit.

Skills
Applying technical chemistry methodology to laboratory testing and analysis; applying microbiological techniques to isolate identify and enumerate micro-organisms; operating specialized laboratory equipment; oral and written communication; interpersonal relationships; data analysis; attention to detail; fine motor skills.

Abilities
Develop test and validate new and/or improved testing methodologies; perform complex chemistry and biology laboratory analysis; generate interpret and report scientific data; form effective team relationships; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; determine the validity of results and ensure compliance with quality assurance criteria; review data with an extraordinary eye for detail; work independently; function independently with little supervision.

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

Bachelors degree or higher in a related scientific field as currently utilized with the Department of Agriculture State Laboratory employees.

Valid drivers license

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.00%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.