LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (PLANT INDUSTRY)
DEFINITION:
Under the close supervision of a Principal Laboratory Technician, or other supervisory official, in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, performs and assists with technical laboratory work in the production of natural biological control agents for insect pests and invasive plants; performs and assists with the analysis and testing for plant diseases using bioassays to detect the presence of bacteria, nematodes, fungi, and viruses; does other related duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Performs the work involved in laboratory rearing of beneficial insects under controlled conditions and prepares and packages these organisms in an appropriate manner for field release.
Collaborates with field staff for the collection of insects as required in the maintenance/ development of breeding stock and in the evaluation of new or exotic species.
Prepares appropriate storage and care for living host material required in rearing of insects, including propagation of plant material or host species.
Processes plant material collected by field staff or other agencies for laboratory examination, and maintains materials in appropriate condition pending examination.
Makes laboratory separations of soil and plant parts necessary for determination of Phyto parasitic nematodes.
Performs comparative laboratory observations concerned with habits/behavior of beneficial insect which may be required in development of rearing techniques.
Prepares insect diets and culture media.
Assists with seed germination.
Transplants, propagates, and waters plant material and maintains the greenhouse in a sanitary and organized manner.
Ensures that bacteriological and chemical equipment/supplies of the laboratory are properly maintained and that the stockroom is in proper order.
Maintains written or electronic records of laboratory work undertaken and reports on progress of laboratory work which contain findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Assists with sample preparation for analysis.
Assists with running bioassays for the detection of plant disease, virus, and fungal contamination.
Assists in maintaining essential laboratory records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university, twelve (12) semester hour credits of which shall have been in the biological sciences and twelve (12) additional semester hour credits in any combination of the biological and/or physical sciences.
NOTE: Applicants who have successfully completed twelve (12) semester hour credits in the biological sciences and twelve (12) additional semester hour credits in any combination of the biological and/or physical sciences may substitute experience as a laboratory worker in an agricultural testing or research laboratory maintaining living insects, plant cultures, greenhouse work or identifying insects for the remaining education on a year for year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the biological sciences including horticulture, botany, entomology, general zoology, and microorganisms.
Knowledge of insect behavior, rearing requirements and culture techniques.
Knowledge of the purposes of biological control techniques and precautions to be observed in their use.
Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in receiving, identifying, analyzing, labeling, shipping and other handling of biological materials.
Knowledge of the laboratory equipment, supplies, reagents, and techniques.
Knowledge of the plant materials affected by plant pests and diseases.
Ability to comprehend and apply standard and prescribed procedures of a quantitative chemical nature.
Ability to perform laboratory analyses and tests of varied types in accord with standard and established procedures.
Ability to carry out routine laboratory bioassay and culture techniques of varied types in accordance with standard and prescribed procedures.
Ability to observe and apply precautions necessary in handling materials of a biological and chemical nature which may be hazardous to health, property, and the natural environment.
Ability to be precise, accurate, and orderly in the work required in receiving, identifying, analyzing, labeling, and other handling of materials and specimens.
Ability to comprehend and to observe habits/behavior of insect development for rearing requirements and culture techniques.
Ability to keep current with and to interpret and apply the published literature in the appropriate biological and chemical fields.
Ability to use and maintain laboratory equipment, utensils, materials, and supplies in a professional manner, avoiding unnecessary breakage, deterioration, or loss.
Ability to carry out investigations of behavior, characteristics or culture requirements of biological control organisms.
Ability to discuss laboratory operation and the concepts of biological control with interested laymen and professionals.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of laboratory analyses/examinations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
JobUnder the close supervision of a Principal Laboratory Technician, or other supervisory official, in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, performs and assists with technical laboratory work in the production of natural biological control agents for insect pests and invasive plants; performs and assists with the analysis and testing for plant diseases using bioassays to detect the presence of bacteria, nematodes, fungi, and viruses; does other related duties as required.
","NOTE":"The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.\n\nApplicants who have successfully completed twelve (12) semester hour credits in the biological sciences and twelve (12) additional semester hour credits in any combination of the biological and/or physical sciences may substitute experience as a laboratory worker in an agricultural testing or research laboratory maintaining living insects, plant cultures, greenhouse work or identifying insects for the remaining education on a year for year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.\n\nPlant IndustrySC3513N/AA12-Performs the work involved in laboratory rearing of beneficial insects under controlled conditions and prepares and packages these organisms in an appropriate manner for field release.
Collaborates with field staff for the collection of insects as required in the maintenance/ development of breeding stock and in the evaluation of new or exotic species.
Prepares appropriate storage and care for living host material required in rearing of insects, including propagation of plant material or host species.
Processes plant material collected by field staff or other agencies for laboratory examination, and maintains materials in appropriate condition pending examination.
Makes laboratory separations of soil and plant parts necessary for determination of Phyto parasitic nematodes.
Performs comparative laboratory observations concerned with habits/behavior of beneficial insect which may be required in development of rearing techniques.
Prepares insect diets and culture media.
Assists with seed germination.
Transplants, propagates, and waters plant material and maintains the greenhouse in a sanitary and organized manner.
Ensures that bacteriological and chemical equipment/supplies of the laboratory are properly maintained and that the stockroom is in proper order.
Maintains written or electronic records of laboratory work undertaken and reports on progress of laboratory work which contain findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Assists with sample preparation for analysis.
Assists with running bioassays for the detection of plant disease, virus, and fungal contamination.
Assists in maintaining essential laboratory records, reports, and files.
Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
","EDUCATION":"Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university, twelve (12) semester hour credits of which shall have been in the biological sciences and twelve (12) additional semester hour credits in any combination of the biological and/or physical sciences.
","LICENSE":"Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
","KNOWLEDGE_AND_ABILITIES":"Knowledge of the biological sciences including horticulture, botany, entomology, general zoology, and microorganisms.
Knowledge of insect behavior, rearing requirements and culture techniques.
Knowledge of the purposes of biological control techniques and precautions to be observed in their use.
Knowledge of the precautions to be taken in receiving, identifying, analyzing, labeling, shipping and other handling of biological materials.
Knowledge of the laboratory equipment, supplies, reagents, and techniques.
Knowledge of the plant materials affected by plant pests and diseases.
Ability to comprehend and apply standard and prescribed procedures of a quantitative chemical nature.
Ability to perform laboratory analyses and tests of varied types in accord with standard and established procedures.
Ability to carry out routine laboratory bioassay and culture techniques of varied types in accordance with standard and prescribed procedures.
Ability to observe and apply precautions necessary in handling materials of a biological and chemical nature which may be hazardous to health, property, and the natural environment.
Ability to be precise, accurate, and orderly in the work required in receiving, identifying, analyzing, labeling, and other handling of materials and specimens.
Ability to comprehend and to observe habits/behavior of insect development for rearing requirements and culture techniques.
Ability to keep current with and to interpret and apply the published literature in the appropriate biological and chemical fields.
Ability to use and maintain laboratory equipment, utensils, materials, and supplies in a professional manner, avoiding unnecessary breakage, deterioration, or loss.
Ability to carry out investigations of behavior, characteristics or culture requirements of biological control organisms.
Ability to discuss laboratory operation and the concepts of biological control with interested laymen and professionals.
Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports of laboratory analyses/examinations containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to maintain essential records, reports, and files.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Job