Agricultural Laboratory Scientist Supervisor

Job #AHFS.10.26-TW
This position is located within the Office of Animal Health and Food Safety - Meat Inspection in East Baton Rouge Parish. This is a department wide vacancy open to LDAF employees only.

Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisianas workforce and organizational culture Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as an Agricultural Laboratory Scientist Supervisor. The position serves as the principal coordinator of all laboratory sampling and testing procedures for the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program.

Grow your career with opportunities in leadership professional development and specialized advancement opportunities.

Why Join Us
Contribute to a mission-driven organization that serves communities across Louisiana
Enjoy competitive pay and excellent benefits
Be part of a collaborative inclusive and supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Six years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus three years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR

A bachelors degree plus three years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR

A masters degree in an agricultural biological chemical environmental or physical science plus two years of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience; OR

A doctorate in an agricultural biological environmental chemical or physical science plus one year of general laboratory or laboratory research and analysis experience.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR SEED LABORATORY ONLY:
Certification in seed germination/purity by the Association of Official Seed Analysts (AOSA) or Society of Commercial Seed Technologists (SCST).

The official job specifications for this role as defined by the State Civil Service can be found here.

Job Duties:
This position serves as supervisor of the microbiological section of the laboratory and supervises Agricultural Laboratory Scientists. Responsibilities include but are not limited to coordinating collection and analyses of product samples and the maintenance of all technical records associated with program laboratory operations.

• Oversees the microbiological section of the laboratory.
• Supervises Agricultural Laboratory Scientists.
• Maintains federal accreditation of the laboratory through the Accredited Laboratory Program by documenting all activities performed at the laboratory including quality assurance product identification chain of custody and results.
• Responsible for maintaining compliance of the microbiology laboratory and food chemistry laboratory at an at least equal to status with LISDA/FSIS. This includes maintaining quality assurance creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures for all methods participating in regular FSIS audits.
• Successfully performs proficiency testing for Food Chemistry and Food Microbiology.
• Implements corrective actions for abnormal analysis results.
• Plot results and trends and continually analyze data.
• Coordinates through communication with field and office personnel the collection of all meat and poultry product samples collected by the program and analyzed for compliance with current federal and state regulations.
• Conduct analyses of product samples for the presence of food borne pathogens and chemical composition and generate maintain and distribute appropriate technical records regarding the documentation of test results.
• Responsible for developing new laboratory protocols validating new laboratory methods and continually updating the existing Standard Operating Procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining all laboratory records regarding the documentation of test results.
• Train Agricultural Laboratory Scientists in laboratory procedures.
• Ensures personnel perform work in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Provides technical supervision of all routine and special testing procedures.
• Reviews work and results of subordinates and consults with subordinates when problems arise with test procedures.
• Ensures all quality assurance / quality control standards are met.
• Ensures laboratory personnel meet proficiency testing and training requirements.
• Trains personnel in the proper precautions when working with bacteria and chemicals including use of personal protective equipment and other safety equipment.
• Provides technical information on laboratory functions to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH).
• Coordinates activities relative to violation of various facets of the Meat Inspection Program such as: Jab analysis in violation of established standards and the detection of food borne pathogens.
• Prepares and submits information to the USDA Food Safety and Inspector.
• Service Federal State Audit Branch as it pertains to the State Meat and Poultry Laboratory Audit Report.
• Attends seminars conferences and training workshops in order to remain up to date on new analytical procedures current regulations and training.
• Participates in Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) activities.
• Maintains regulatory program effectiveness and recommends changes in department policies and procedures as related to the laboratory.

• Full-time thisposition may be filled by promotion of a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry serving with permanent status.

To apply for this vacancy click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e. relevant detailed experience/education).Resumes willnotbe accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.