Job Summary
This is an Internal Employment Opportunity

This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Biological Science Research Technician 2 position for the Department of Crop and Soil Science Seed Laboratory at Oregon State University (OSU).

The OSU Seed Laboratory exists to provide quality control information to the seed industry for purposes of marketing and shipping in accordance with the Federal Seed Act. Seed testing for the Oregon Seed Certification Service is conducted through this Laboratory. The Laboratory also serves the Oregon Department of Agriculture and other government agencies by conducting regulatory testing and provides technical support to OSU and to the general public in numerous ways. The Laboratory provides technical training in the form of seed schools and workshops to various groups in Oregon, other states and countries. The OSU Seed Laboratory enjoys national and international acclaim as a leader in seed testing procedures.

This position requires working knowledge of the Laboratory policy and specific standards set by State and Federal law, USDA standards, Canadian Seed Testing Methods and Procedures, European Economic Community standards, the International Seed Testing Association rules, standards and rules set by the Association of Official Seed Analysts and Society of Commercial Seed Technologists and Oregon Seed Certification Service Handbook & Procedures.

This position provides assistance and support to the Purity, Special Testing, Germination, and Administration Unit of the OSU Seed Laboratory in the Department of Crop and Soil Science at Oregon State University. It serves as a member of a team of other technicians, administration, seed analysts, students, and temporary workers who work to accurately complete seed tests for customers in an efficient and timely manner.

The Sample Prep Coordinator is efficient in their actions and determinations as the lab testing units depend on them to prepare samples in a timely manner to move through the lab for testing so they can effectively produce results and meet customer expectations for turnaround times. The employee is responsible for test sample preparation, directing sample flow, sample prep equipment and calibration, rush service monitoring, facilitating re-test requests, quality management record maintenance, and adhering to the OSU Seed Lab Quality Policy and Quality Management System.

The incumbent is part of the hiring committee for student and temporary employees whom they will directly be providing lead work duties by training, assigning, and approving work, and developing schedules to ensure proper coverage for the services they support. Workloads fluctuate based on submitted samples.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine county. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
40% Sample Preparation- Mixing/Dividing/Screening
Prepares samples for testing by operating mechanical dividers, or other prescribed methods to reduce submitted samples to working sub-samples. Must be proficient with the multiple seed testing rules and standards and their requirements for each crop kind to accurately make the determination of required weights and preparation needed. Working samples are repeatedly passed through the divider to homogenize and statistically reduce the sample until the required weight/amount of seed is attained, as determined by the selected testing rule, standard and crop kind. Preparation includes separating the inert material and contaminants from the working sample by using a screening system, seed blowers, friction separators, or other types of small equipment. Various procedures are used on a variety of seed species as directed by seed testing rules. Most species require multiple procedures.

Provides specialty sample preparation for testing such as soilbanks and treated seed that requires additional technical steps and may involve working in the greenhouse and or wearing PPE. Responsible for keeping and updating the electronic SDS file for treated samples submitted for testing. Prepares bulk sub-sample packet preparation for third-party OSU departments such as Seed Certification OECD Program and Global Hemp Innovation Center.

25% Sample Flow
Ensures samples are organized by a ‘first in-first out’ inventory system while considering special testing requests such as rush services and unique customer needs. Processes and moves samples to the appropriate testing unit as determined by crop kind and test request in a timely manner to maintain a manageable testing schedule that is often fluctuating. Continually reassess sample flow throughout the day to maintain an adequate number of samples in the pre-picking area, for Analyst 1’s and Analyst 2’s, and in the Germination and Special Testing units so those employees can coordinate their workdays and the lab meets customer turnaround time expectations. The employee provides a summary of current in-house sample numbers by date received, rushes, and estimated completion dates to the Administration Unit every morning that is used to update the online Seed Lab Test Flow Report to provide timely information and set customer expectations. The employee uses an electronic tracking system to account for and track sample movement in real time throughout the sample flow process.
The employee manages the rush services flow process to ensure the sample stays on an expedited testing pathway that is separate from the non-rush service samples. This requires organizing and tracking samples by the hour the request was received versus the day received for a typical sample and continual update as rush services are requested.

15% Leadership
Provide leadership to the sample prep/flow team to maintain the consistent flow of samples throughout the laboratory by maintaining a ‘first in-first out’ inventory system as the samples move along multiple preparatory channels.
Serves on the hiring committee for screening and interviewing classified, temporary, and student workers. Provides lead work including training, planning, scheduling, and assigning work for up to ten student workers. Maintains training records according to the Seed Lab Quality Management System.

15% Quality Policy (QP)/Quality System Management (QMS) Support
Adheres to the OSU Seed Lab Quality Policy (QP) and Quality Management System (QMS). Participates in the review and revision of Work Instructions, controlled documents, and processes connected to their job duties. Participates in internal and external accreditation audits. Supports Quality Manager for QP or QMS activities.

Summarizes data for trend identification for quality management as requested. Keeps track of errors and non-conforming work, initiating Corrective Action/Preventative Action Reports as necessary following QMS protocol. Assists with any non-conforming work investigations to determine root causes and viable solutions for incidents in or connected to their work duties as needed.

Maintains equipment in the sample preparation areas to meet the QMS and ISTA Accreditation standards. Responsible for maintaining a schedule of equipment maintenance and records equipment maintenance and calibration results on designated logs. Participates in the use and maintenance of calibration samples for seed dividers, friction separators, and other calibration samples provided by national and international authorities.

5% Other Duties
Performs other tasks, as needed, to maintain the cleanliness of personal workstations, sample preparation areas, or other areas in the laboratory to avoid cross-contamination of samples and to maintain the professional image of the laboratory. Performs incidental, miscellaneous duties as needed including an annual inventory of supplies. Anticipates and maintains an adequate supply of materials for the area of responsibility to ensure the smooth functioning of the unit. Assists on other projects and duties as assigned.

Percentages of time spent performing stated duties will fluctuate with the time of year and harvest season.
What We Require
Two years of college-level courses in (specific field of biological science) and one year of experience related to the area of assignment at the Biological Research Technician 1 level; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience.

What You Will Need
Must be able to work with all personality types, collaborating as a team to meet the needs of multiple workplace units and coordinating with others to meet deadlines.
Effective written and oral communication skills.
Must be flexible and be able to handle interruptions and stay calm and organized in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to independently problem solve.
Legible penmanship. Ability to perform basic math, ability to read, write and round numbers. Previous experience working with sequential numbers and significant figures.
Attention to detail and effective hand-eye coordination.
This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Knowledge of any state’s Seed Certification and/or Seed Laboratory procedures and regulations.
Experience working with Oregon Seed Certification and OSU Seed Lab procedures.
Experience working with a laboratory quality management system, including working with controlled documents and quality assurance audits.
Experience using customized database(s) for data entry.
Possess a good understanding of ISTA Seed Laboratory Accreditation System, or other quality assurance systems.
Experience with and ability to maintain testing equipment and perform routine checks and maintenance on equipment.
Previous experience working with iPad applications.
A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
Incumbent will be expected to sit or stand at a workstation for extended periods of time.

Ability to perform repetitive motions, bend, lift and carry trays of seeds or other items up to 40 lbs., carry trays of seeds up and down stairs, occasionally lift trays of seeds up to 20 lbs. overhead.

This position involves working around fumes, odors, dust, noise, and pesticide chemicals.

Occasionally, special projects may require some outdoor work.

Typical work schedule is Monday through Friday, but may fluctuate depending on sample load.

Must be able to work an irregular/flexible schedule, including overtime, depending on work volume/requirements.

The peak season is typically July through December. As sample numbers drop after the peak season employee may experience a reduced FTE [or reduced hours].