CDA-Food Analyst/Microbiologist
Company: State of Colorado
Location: Denver
Posted on: January 26, 2023
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Job Description:
Department Information
Who we are:
Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on
clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by
agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47
billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the
state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important
industry.
Mission:
The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's
agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect
consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the
environment.
CDA Wildly Important Goals:
To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four "wildly important
goals:"
Goal 1: Building Economic and Supply Chain Resilience
Goal 2: Advancing Voluntary Stewardship
Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
Goal 4: Promoting Animal Health and Welfare
We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff
in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our
Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan
on our website.
What you get from us:
In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful
work, we offer:
* Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA
Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus
optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org)
* Medical and dental health plans
(https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
* Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
* Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance
options
* Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability
coverage
* 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
accruals
* BenefitHub state employee discount program
* Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
* Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote
work opportunities, free parking, professional development and
more!
To learn about the total compensation package for State government
employment visit:
https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and
inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all
identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of
Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building
inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect
our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all
aspects of the employment process, we provide employment
opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to
pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status,
genetic information, or military status (with preference given to
military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance
with applicable law.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
by visiting our EDI Homepage:
https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi. Description of Job
Work Unit:
The Laboratory Services Division performs accurate, timely,
fit-for-purpose, and legally defensible chemical, microbiological
and instrumental analysis of samples taken by the Department's
inspectors and those samples received for analysis under State or
Federal grant programs. These samples include water
(groundwater/surface water), livestock feed, pet food, fertilizer,
human food, vegetation, environmental samples, compost, and soil.
The samples are analyzed for a variety of constituents including,
but not limited to: pesticide residues, pathogens, nutrients, drugs
& vitamins, antibiotics, minerals, toxins, and poisons.
Position:
This position exists to provide analysis of animal and human food
for the CDA-ICS Feed Program, CDA-ICS Meat Program, and cooperative
agreement programs such as the FDA Laboratory Flexible Funding
Model Food Microbiology program. This position performs
microbiological and analytical chemistry testing, quality control
testing, and proficiency testing. This position conducts peer
reviews and approvals of laboratory data, test results, quality
events, and related quality control activities in compliance with
IS017025:2017 requirements.
Duties:
* Prepare samples prior to instrumental analysis through weighing,
grinding, blending, stomaching, incubation, homogenizing,
separating and/or concentrating.
* Microbiological media and chemical reagents must be prepared
accurately in order to set-up samples for analysis.
* Evaluate the constituents listed for each sample and selects the
correct sample preparation process according to internal Standard
Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* Coordinate, organize, and assist with samples for microbiological
and feed chemical analysis through planning, documentation,
chain-of-custody and ensure proper storage of prepared samples
prior to analysis.
* Assign, coordinate, assist and perform or ensure routine
calibration of laboratory equipment such as pipettes, balances,
ovens, incubators, pH meters, and autoclaves.
* Independently performs instrumental analyses of samples utilizing
real-time PCR, automated immunoassay, bacterial identification
systems, ELISA, HPLC or other equipment including computers,
incubators, autoclaves and various types of general laboratory
equipment.
* Perform cultural isolation and identification of pathogens in
test samples and uses approved methodology to confirm the isolated
bacteria.
* Perform chemical extractions of animal feed for quantitative
determination of antibiotics and amino acids. Independently,
determines correct methodologies and techniques to employ to
optimize equipment and instrumentation operating conditions.
* Use professional judgment and/or consultation with supervisors,
colleagues or other regulatory laboratories, in making
decisions.
* Follow written Standard Operating Procedures and follows quality
control criteria documented in the laboratory's quality system and
in the laboratory's Standard Operating Procedures.
* Evaluate, interpret, and report results of analyses.
* Perform routine and emergency maintenance, repair, and/or
calibration of analytical instrumentation and equipment.
* Analyze assigned Proficiency Test samples using written Standard
Operating Procedures in order to maintain competency in testing
methods.
* Independently review, checks, and performs calculations on raw
data from analysis activities.
* Calculate quality control results from sample analyses and
prepares analytical data packages and enter results into the
laboratory LIMS.
* Prepare and evaluate quality control cultures in qualitative
methods and control charts for quantitative methods.
* Evaluate data and results to identify and correct any
abnormalities, anomalies, or out of specification work.
* Independently determine samples that need to be re-analyzed or
re-run due to quality control or other failures.
* Perform peer reviews of laboratory data analyzed by other team
members.
* Perform monthly testing of samples for grant projects as
requested by the Department, Division, grant program (e.g., Food
Emergency Response Network [FERN], Food and Drug Administration
[FDA]), and laboratory management.
* Attend conferences, seminars, training courses, and participates
in industry forums with the approval of laboratory Management and
the Department.
* Consult with peers, colleagues, and other regulatory laboratories
to stay current with industry and analytical laboratory
standards.
* Inspect Laboratory Equipment to ensure working order and
notifying leadership when equipment is malfunctioning.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment &
Appeal Rights
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
Salary Range:
$28.47 - $34.17 Hourly
$59,220.00 - $71,064.00 Annually
Minimum Requirements:
Education:
* Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in
Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physical Sciences, or closely
related field. A copy of your education transcripts must be
attached to your application.
Experience:
* 1 years of professional experience in working in food or
environmental microbiology and/or HPLC (Drug and Vitamin).
* Part Time experience will be prorated.
* See substitutions below.
Preferred Qualifications:
* Experience working as a microbiologist.
* Experience working in an ISO 17025 accredited facility
* Colorado State service experience related to the duties of this
position.
Substitutions:
* Professional experience related to the position that provided the
same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required
education may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the
bachelor's degree.
OR
* Master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or
university in Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology, Physical Sciences,
or a degree closely related to the assignment may be substituted
for the bachelor's degree and one year of general experience.
Conditions of Employment:
* Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with
the ability to independently travel.
* Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular
business hours.
Required Competencies:
* Knowledge of good laboratory practices related to
microbiology
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve,
prioritize, create systems and processes and collaborate with and
engage others.
* Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple
priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing
conditions.
* Deeply committed to quality results.
* Detail oriented.
* Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively
and articulately in writing and orally with diverse individuals.
Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong
decision-making capability.
* Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be
extremely effective independently.
Important Information:
Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will
involve a review of the information you submit in your application
materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience
portion of your application, you describe the extent that you
possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the
job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred
qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow
instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures
used to arrive at a top group of applicants.
Please submit the following:
* Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the
minimum qualifications
* OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper
application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application.
Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to
mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the
application period listed on this announcement.
* DD214 (if applicable)
* Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)
Factors that will be assessed:
* Technical Competence - Technical experience as it relates to the
duties outlined in this job announcement.
* Depth and Breadth of Experience - Experience that covers multiple
areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be
varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of
community involvement.
* Job Fit - Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your
past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this
position. Current experience is preferred.
APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from
consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the
State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel
Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form,
signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered
to the State Personnel Board by email
(dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or
hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203),
or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your
receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's
action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal
form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to
spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance
at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR)
801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's
Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and
Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
Important Information: Part of, or the entire exam for this
position will involve a review of the information you submit in
your application material. Applications are considered complete and
accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional
information may not be solicited or accepted after your application
has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly
describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself.
Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be
considered.
All applications that are received by the closing date of this
announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in
this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who
meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step.
Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired
and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative
analysis process.
ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by
the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable
accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an
employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact
by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment
date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the
accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information,
including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations
and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this
information available well in advance of the assessment date.
The Department of Agriculture is committed to the full inclusion of
all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency
will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable
accommodation requests related to employment, including completing
the application process, interviewing, completing any
pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection
process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the
requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you
have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure
you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this
position, please direct your inquiries to Mary Hunt, at
mary.hunt@state.co.us or call 303-869-9006.
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical
difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching
documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support
at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).
Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching
documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF
or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you
attempt upload (attach) it.
Keywords: State of Colorado, Denver , CDA-Food Analyst/Microbiologist, Professions , Denver, Colorado
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