LAB SAMPLE PREP TECH 1

Job Title: Lab Sample Prep Technician 1

Department: Laboratory

Reports To: Lab Customer Service Supervisor

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Since 1975, ServiTech, Inc. has relied on the most current technologies, research, and science to make productive and profitable recommendations for thousands of growers on millions of acres. Three ServiTech laboratory facilities compliment industry agronomic services to measure fertility, tailor field inputs and increase yields.

The professionals at ServiTech understand that analytical results received from the laboratory are used to make decisions that affect their customer’s bottom line. Each individual sample is considered as an important part of a producer’s total management process.

SUMMARY

The Lab Sample Prep Technician 1 will effectively contribute to the Laboratory team by providing excellent service and fulfilling the daily responsibilities to ensure quality, problem resolution and to establish reliability and convenience for customers of ServiTech. This position is critical to the safety of animals’ lives, natural resources, and the environment!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Requires professional and effective communication skills, teamwork, effective organizational skills, the ability to focus and pay attention to details, and the ability to work efficiently without compromising quality to ensure excellent service.
• Focuses on efficient and thorough intake and processing of samples across core service options including accurate weights and prompt grinding, splitting, and transferring of samples to the lab, and accurate recordkeeping.
• Responsible for maintenance and housekeeping as directed.
• While serving customers, this position will work with other ServiTech team members, the Laboratory Manager, and/or the Chief Laboratory Officer to ensure growth and success.
• Continuously learn and develop necessary skills to contribute to the lab operations.
• Demonstrates a professional image by proactively taking responsibility, troubleshooting/problem solving, working individually and as a team; and successfully ensuring quality, productivity, efficiency, and safety.
• This position will also be required to perform other duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

TRAVEL

Must be able to travel as needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, read, talk and/or hear. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, drive, and operate a computer for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to walk; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and is regularly required to climb stairs. Physically this position demands that an employee both sit or stand for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus including regular use of a computer.

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 employee must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures, and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate to loud and exposure to vibration. The ability to work around various odors including manure and the ability to work with hazardous and caustic chemicals. Based on the farmers’ needs and therefore fluctuates as far as hours worked during peak seasons which include long days, weeks, and months as needed. Willing to work weekends, holidays and long hours as required. 

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Remarkable teamwork, customer service, and organizational skills including the ability to manage the workload as needed, pay close attention to detail, place and keep sample numbers in order, make sure the customers’ needs are priority, resolve questions, complaints, and concerns immediately.
• The ability to think and behave ethically in all situations, even when working unsupervised.
• The ability to focus, pay attention to details, monitor work for accuracy, and execute repetitive motions.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate well with people.
• Ability to be flexible, manage change and meet deadlines.
• Proficient computer operation skills and the ability to learn various software programs.
• The ability to see and differentiate colors.
• The ability to work around various odors including manure.
• The ability to work with hazardous and caustic chemicals, exposure to vibration and moderate to loud noise.
• Prompt and regular attendance.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Education in a science and/or agricultural related area of study is preferred but not required or equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience in a related field of work/study. Agricultural and Laboratory operations knowledge and experience is preferred. Experience using MS Office suite of products is required. Proficient computer operation skills and the ability to learn various software programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

A valid driver’s license with a safe driving record.

COMPUTER SKILLS

The individual should be proficient in their use of a personal computer and must be able to perform tasks using Windows-based software, knowledge of Microsoft Office and the Internet.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, employees, clients, customers, and the general public. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Critical thinking/analytical, problem solving, and conflict management skills.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems with several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards and take appropriate precautions.