PRINCIPAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (ANIMAL HEALTH)
Animal Health
Career Family: PRINCIPAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Principal Laboratory Technician (animal Health) sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to an associate's degree and 2 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $58,222 to $84,763, and state payroll currently lists 5 people in the title, most of them at Health and Senior Services.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Laboratory Technician (animal Health) appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Health.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Health | 5 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 5 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $71,639. The agencies employing the most are:
- Health and Senior Services (5)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director, Laboratory or other supervisor in the Division or Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, performs the more complex animal health laboratory tests; serves as head worker, and may supervise other technical employees engaged in making pathologic, bacteriologic, virology, serological, chemical and other assigned tests and analyses; does related work as required
Examples of work
- Assists in the supervision of laboratory technicians in the receiving, unpacking, sorting, opening, preparation and distribution of specimens received for examination; disposes of specimens when examinations are completed; prepares samples for distribution or mailing.
- Serves as lead worker and may supervise the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Assigns and instructs subordinates laboratory employees; assures adherence to all quality control systems and determines the performance of such employees in conformance with such requirements.
- Aids professional laboratory personnel in all procedures pursuant to the required pathologic, bacteriologic, virologic, chemical or other tests.
- Assists professional staff in the preparation of proficiency testing specimens for monitoring laboratory performance; oversees the preparation and standardization of reagents and standard solutions; culture media and stains; and antigens used.
- Instructs other employees in the proper use of pH meter, analytical balances, spectrophotometer, autoclaves, washer, ovens, ultrasonic cleaner, microscopes, automatic pipettes and other related laboratory equipment.
- Supervises laboratory employees in Central Services; supervises employees in cleaning and care of animals in animal rooms; carries out the instructs other employees in performance of serological tests for Brucella, Vibrio, Leptospira, vaccine counts, semen counts, blood counts, urine analysis, blood chemistries, blood parasites, brucellosis milk ring test.
- Prepares or supervises the preparation of laboratory reports and assists in the maintenance of all necessary laboratory records and files.
- Maintains inventories and submits orders for antigens, solutions, stains, chemicals, glassware, stoppers; mail containers and other supplies necessary to perform laboratory operations.
- May be required to learn 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 60 semester hours at an accredited college or university, 24 semester hours of which shall have been in the biological and/or physical science.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience as a technician in a veterinary public health, hospital, clinical or research laboratory, performing a variety of clinical tests.
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 essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Wide knowledge of the technological applications of bacteriology, virology, serology, hematology, pathology and chemistry methodologies.
- Wide knowledge of laboratory equipment, reagents and techniques used in bacteriology, virology, serology, chemistry and pathology tests and analyses.
- Considerable knowledge of safety and precautions to be taken in receiving, handling, testing and disposing of laboratory materials and wastes.
- Ability to organize assigned work, analyze routine lab problems and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to take the lead in a group of technical laboratory employees, provide assignments and instructions, and develop appropriate work methods.
- Ability to supervise the operations of the animal care section.
- Ability to perform laboratory analyses of varied types in accordance with standard and prescribed procedures.
- Ability to observe appropriate precautions and do the precise and accurate work required in receiving, labeling and shipping of specimens for serology, virology, chemistry and bio-assays to the laboratories.
- Ability to use laboratory equipment and supplies in such a manner as to avoid unnecessary breakage, deterioration and loss.
- Ability to use and maintain scientific equipment, including pH meters, spectrophotometers, microscopes, autoclaves, automatic pipettes, demsitometer, analytical balances.
- Ability to perform all routine blood chemistry analyses, serology tests, hematology examinations, blood parasite tests, immunodiffusion and other tests.
- Ability to prepare accurate reports of observation and tests performed.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to prepare accurate reports.
- Ability to learn 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, or 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.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. I f the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
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.
Successful completion of a course, (one academic year) in Clinical Laboratory Technology.