Laboratory Technician

What you will be doing:
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity in the field of virology? The Alaska State Virology Laboratory is seeking a dedicated Laboratory Technician to conduct diagnostic testing on human samples across Alaska. As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in receiving, preparing, and disposing of specimens, maintaining, and calibrating laboratory equipment, performing nucleic acid extractions, preparing reagents, and managing essential supplies for lab operations. Join us in making a difference in public health in Alaska!

Our organization, mission, and culture:
The mission of the Division of Public Health is to protect and promote the health of Alaskans. As a member of our team, you will contribute every day to the improvement of the health of Alaskans and their families.

The Division of Public Health exemplifies these values:

• Accountability- We are committed to responsible use of human, financial, and environmental resources.
• Respect- We provide services without discrimination or judgment.
• Human potential- We are committed to developing each Alaskan's potential as a healthy individual as well as fostering strong, healthy communities.
• Integrity- We are honest and ethical in all we do.
• Scientific Excellence- We are committed to adding to and contributing to the body of scientific knowledge and using the best available knowledge and data to set public health policy.

The benefits of joining our team:
We are a dynamic, diverse, high-performing team where no two days are the same. We offer the ability to utilize your professional talents in significant ways to create meaningful contributions to the public's health. Benefits include 11 paid holidays, paid leave, retirement options, insurance (health, vision, and dental), and job stability and security.

The working environment you can expect:
Alaska State Virology Lab, a state-of-the-art virological testing facility, is seated on the beautiful University of Alaska Fairbanks upper campus. University perks can be adopted by ASVL staff by attending campus seminars associated with virology, visiting the prestigious Museum of the North, eating at nearby cafes on campus, and using the extensive 10-kilometer trail system for walking, running, or skiing.

Who we are looking for:
To be successful in the position, the candidate will need the following core competencies:

• Biology: Knowledge of the environment, plant and animal living tissue, cells, organisms, and entities, including their functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: uses a logical, systematic, sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one's knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Accountability: Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for own actions and decisions—Complies with established control systems and rules.
• Hazardous Materials: Knowledge of hazardous materials and waste and their uses, interactions, dangers, production, handling, storage, and disposal.
• Quality Management: Knowledge of the principles, methods, and tools of quality assurance, quality control, and reliability used to ensure that a project, system, or product fulfills requirements and standards.

Special Note:

• Valid State of Alaska Identification Number (e.g., driver's license, driver's permit, identification card)

A cover letter is NOT required for this position. Your complete application, including supplemental questions, will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment and selection process.

To view the general description and example of duties for this job class, please go to the following link and search for Laboratory Technician: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Alaska/classspecs

At the time of interview, please provide the following:

• Three (3) professional references we may contact by phone, one (1) of which must be a current or former supervisor.
• Current performance evaluation, if available.
• A copy of academic transcripts (unofficial are okay; please ensure that the institution name/URL is listed on the transcripts) if used to verify that you meet the minimum qualifications.
• Any professional medical license(s), if available.

If chosen for the position, the candidate will be required to provide the following items before employment:

• A copy of a valid State of Alaska Identification Number (e.g., driver's license, driver's permit, identification card).

Please read the below information carefully. This applies to your application submission.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS
For your application to be evaluated, you must answer the Supplemental Questions. Be specific in your answers and tell us how you acquired the relevant experience. Please use complete sentences and proofread your submissions when answering the supplemental questions. Your responses will be considered a writing sample and will be used to determine which applicants will advance to the interview phase of the recruitment process.

EDUCATION
To verify education is being used to meet and/or support the required minimum qualifications/competencies, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials used to meet or support the minimum qualifications/competencies for a position and are required with each application. (Unofficial is okay; please ensure the institution/URL name is listed on the transcripts). Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview; if not, transcripts will be required before employment.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
If education is completed in a foreign college or university, it may be used to meet the above requirements, if applicable. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs or an accredited U.S. state university reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the state university. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. The omission of the required documentation listed will result in an incomplete application, and you will not receive further consideration.

WORK EXPERIENCE
When using work experience not already documented in your application, please provide the employer's name, your job title, employment dates, and whether you were working full-time or part-time. Applications will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and if minimum qualifications are met. Work experience needed to meet the minimum qualifications must be documented in the application. If the application does not support minimum qualifications, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment. A resume will not be used to determine that minimum qualifications have been met for the position to which you are applying.

If you have currently or previously been appointed to a flexibly staffed position, please ensure your work experience within a flexibly staffed position indicates the actual dates employed at each level. Ensure your time and any subsequent flex promotion(s) are documented as a separate position. This is required as minimum qualifications require experience at a particular level in which the lower level may not be considered. If this information is not accurately reflected in your application, this may cause the processing of your application for consideration to be delayed.

NOTE: Attaching a resume or curriculum vitae is not an alternative to filling out the application. Noting "see resume or CV" or any similar response on any portion of your application may lead to a determination your application is incomplete and removal from consideration for this job posting.

The State of Alaska does not provide VISA Employer sponsorships.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

APPLICATION NOTICE
You can ONLY apply for this position through the Workplace Alaska website or via hardcopy application. If you accessed this recruitment bulletin through a job search portal such as AlaskaJobs or any other database, you MUST use a Workplace Alaska online or hardcopy application to apply successfully. Instructions on how to apply with Workplace Alaska may be found on the Workplace Alaska "How to Apply" webpage, found here: http://doa.alaska.gov/dop/workplace/help/

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-4095 in Juneau or TTY: Alaska Relay 711 or 1-800-770-8973 or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at P. O. Box 110201, Juneau, AK 99811-0201. The State of Alaska is an equal-opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll-free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov

For applicant password assistance, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/OnlineApplication/User/ResetPassword.

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See https://drb.alaska.gov/help/plans.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year