Dairy Laboratory Technician

Position is responsible for performing all tests, analysis and evaluations in the Dairy plant, effective communication with management, dairy personnel, and incoming customers, documentation of compliance records and performance of job duties as outlined below in the Dairy Quality Control Laboratory.

Work Specifications – Responsibilities:

• Performs quantitative and qualitative tests on in-coming/out-going milk, work in process and finished product blends to determine composition, microbiological condition and compliance to specifications.
• Documents results of testing, procedural methods, product condition and composition and process operating conditions on appropriate records and maintains such records in an accurate and orderly manner. Assures that records, logs and data are in compliance with associated regulatory and company requirements.
• Performs environmental and allergen collections and/or tests as outlined per Dairy procedures.
• Audits temperatures and seals of silos, processing equipment, and data indicating and collection devices.
• Effectively communicates out of specification results of testing, evaluation or observation to appropriate company personnel to generate reaction to out of compliance conditions to prevent or minimize losses.
• Trains and mentors new personnel.
• Participates in completion of Performance Excellence Program tasks.
• Effectively communicates assigned workload and work changes to the next shift. Reviews and uses laboratory communication log.
• Understands, performs basic troubleshooting and corrects minor instrument malfunctions.
• Performs tasks in compliance with all company standards, including those for safety and efficiency. Attends required OSHA and safety training classes.
• May be assigned by QC Management to assist in dairy projects
• Performs any other duties as assigned or required.

Education Requirement:

• Associated or military degree in technical or physical sciences, minimum.
• NYS Agricultural and Markets license for lab Dairy operations by passing written and verbal practical with Laboratory Evaluation Officer from Albany lab compliance.

Equipment Knowledge:

• pH meter and probes
• Rosa System
• Carbon Filter Hood
• Water Baths
• Dairy Pipettes
• Balance
• Cryoscope
• FTIR Lactoscope
• Thermometers
• Microscope/Slide Micrometer
• Incubators/Freezer/Refrigerator
• Heat Bock
• Lateral Flow Devices
• Clean Trace ATPase Tester
• Environment/Allergen/ATPase swab collection