Laboratory Assistant

Salary: $17.73 Hourly
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Non-Civil Service Temporary Full-time
Job Number: N-2026-54122
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: AG Vtrnry Labs Div
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 32010
Position Number: 50673454
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: B1
Pay Group: ST02
Bureau / Division Code: 00046131
Bureau / Division: Veterinary Laboratory Division
Worksite Address: 2305 N. Cameron Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: Zachary Bender
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION
Would you enjoy a career which allows you to help protect animal health through real laboratory work? The Laboratory Assistant position with the Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in important testing that keeps communities and livestock safe. Here, you will work alongside skilled professionals while gaining hands-on experience in an active laboratory setting. If you are looking for a great way to build valuable skills and contribute to meaningful scientific work, we want to meet you!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position provides support within multiple sections of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory and assists with daily laboratory activities. It helps maintain testing accuracy, sample processing, and smooth operation of laboratory functions. As a Laboratory Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Test Support: Assist technicians with setting up laboratory tests and preparing materials
• Equipment Care: Clean and maintain laboratory equipment and specimens as needed
• Sample Processing: Process laboratory samples once training is completed and approval is granted
• Data Entry: Enter information into the LIMS system under direction from experienced staff
• Supply Management: Stock and restock forms, supplies, and materials throughout laboratory areas
• Waste Handling: Organize and dispose of sample boxes and testing materials in a safe manner

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Temporary, full-time employment lasting approximately 8.5 months.
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 1 day per month. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Additional Requirements:

• The candidate selected for this position will be required to be vaccinated against rabies prior to the start of employment and maintain a current rabies vaccination throughout the duration of employment.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• College-level instruction (final grade of B or higher) or significant laboratory work experience in handling Biosafety Level-2 (BSL-2) biological lab materials.
• College-level instruction (final grade of B or higher) or significant laboratory work experience in Immunology and/or Serological Testing.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

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*Eligibility rules apply.
01



Preferred Qualification - Do you have college-level instruction (final grade of B or higher) or significant laboratory work experience in handling Biosafety Level-2 (BSL-2) biological lab materials?

• Yes
• No

02


If you answered "Yes" to the above questions, please provide your responses to the two items listed below. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below1. College/University/Training Source2. Credits/Clock Hours
03


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
04



Preferred Qualification - Do you have college-level instruction (final grade of B or higher) or significant laboratory work experience in Immunology and/or Serological Testing?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• Yes
• No

05


If you answered "Yes" to the above questions, please provide your responses to the two items listed below. If you answered "No", type N/A in the text box below1. College/University/Training Source2. Credits/Clock Hours
06


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

• Yes
• No

Required Question