Laboratory Operations Technician

Title: Laboratory Operations Technician
Location: Irvine, California 92612
Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday
Salary: $25.09-$30.18 per hour

KMRG, LLC (KMRG) is a federal services company that hires talented professionals to support Government agencies and the communities they serve. We are hiring a Laboratory Operations Technician to join our team and provide onsite technical and operational laboratory support to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Irvine Human and Animal Food Laboratory.

In this role, you will support the laboratory's daily scientific and operational activities by preparing media and solutions, sterilizing laboratory materials, assisting with sample preparation, washing glassware, handling laboratory waste, maintaining clean work areas, performing routine safety checks, and documenting required monitoring activities.

This position is a strong fit for someone dependable, safety-conscious, comfortable working in a structured laboratory environment, and able to follow written procedures carefully and consistently.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Apply today!

RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory Media, Solution & Reagent Preparation

• Weigh, measure, mix, and prepare laboratory media, solutions, reagents, and standards
• Adjust pH and heat prepared solutions as directed by laboratory procedures
• Transfer prepared materials between containers and laboratory equipment
• Label media, solutions, reagents, and standards accurately
• Follow laboratory quality procedures and Standard Operating Procedures
• Handle chemical additives using required safety precautions
• Prepare materials for sterilization and laboratory use

Sterilization Support

• Load and operate autoclaves according to established procedures
• Sterilize prepared media, laboratory containers, and waste materials
• Remove sterilized items and transfer them to the appropriate use, storage, or disposal area
• Follow required temperature, timing, labeling, and safety procedures
• Maintain accurate sterilization and equipment-use records when required

Sample Preparation

• Assist with aseptic and non-aseptic preparation of laboratory samples
• Remove required amounts of material from items being analyzed
• Place prepared samples into appropriate containers
• Work with frozen, refrigerated, and room-temperature samples
• Use laboratory tools such as knives, chisels, hammers, forceps, spoons, and forks
• Operate food processors, blenders, homogenizers, grinders, and similar equipment
• Prepare samples in bags, jars, jugs, flasks, beakers, vials, tubes, and other approved containers
• Follow sample-handling procedures designed to prevent contamination or loss

Glassware Washing & Laboratory Equipment Support

• Wash laboratory glassware manually and using automatic dishwashing equipment
• Empty, scrub, rinse, dry, sterilize, and store laboratory containers
• Handle flasks, tubes, jars, bottles, Petri plates, and other laboratory materials
• Transfer laboratory items between washing, drying, sterilization, use, and storage areas
• Inspect washed items for cleanliness and readiness for reuse
• Maintain orderly glassware and supply-storage areas

Waste Collection & Disposal

• Collect contaminated, dirty, and used laboratory materials from designated collection areas
• Safely transfer waste to decontamination or disposal areas
• Separate materials for sterilization, reuse, storage, or disposal
• Follow laboratory procedures for biological, chemical, and general waste
• Use required personal protective equipment when handling waste
• Report spills, damaged containers, or unsafe conditions promptly

Laboratory Custodial Support

• Maintain the cleanliness of laboratory work areas
• Clean and organize counters, work surfaces, equipment areas, and support spaces
• Help keep laboratory pathways and workstations free from hazards
• Replenish cleaning materials and supplies as needed
• Follow contamination-control and sanitation procedures
• Support a safe, organized, and inspection-ready laboratory environment

Laboratory Safety Support

• Complete routine checks of laboratory eyewash and emergency shower stations
• Document daily and weekly safety inspections
• Identify and report damaged, blocked, or malfunctioning safety equipment
• Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and FDA safety procedures
• Wear and maintain required personal protective equipment
• Report workplace incidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and near misses promptly
• Participate in required laboratory and safety training
• Temperature Mapping & Equipment Monitoring
• Place temperature sensors in refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and other temperature-controlled equipment
• Collect temperature data for the required monitoring period
• Retrieve electronic or printed temperature records
• Compare results against established acceptance criteria
• Help compile temperature-mapping reports
• Identify and report readings that fall outside approved ranges
• Maintain equipment-verification logs and monitoring records

Deionized Water-System Monitoring

• Perform daily and weekly checks of deionized-water systems
• Read water-quality meters, tank levels, pressure gauges, and indicator lights
• Check ultraviolet lamps and deionized-water tanks
• Inspect brine tanks for water and salt levels
• Add salt pellets and water when directed
• Perform residual-chlorine color tests
• Record results on quality-assurance sheets or laboratory logbooks
• Notify laboratory personnel of irregular readings or system problems

Quality Control & Documentation

• Follow written Standard Operating Procedures and laboratory instructions
• Complete assigned logs, checklists, and monitoring records accurately
• Maintain inventory, equipment-verification, and waste-management documentation
• Report incomplete work, equipment problems, supply shortages, and safety concerns
• Support quality-control reviews of completed work
• Correct identified documentation or procedural issues promptly
• Protect Government information, equipment, and laboratory materials

REQUIRED BACKGROUND

• High School Diploma or GED
• At least 6 months of experience in a laboratory, industrial, custodial, manufacturing, food-processing, or similarly structured work environment
• Ability to follow written procedures, safety protocols, and detailed instructions
• Basic familiarity with cleaning, sanitizing, or handling laboratory glassware
• Ability to use simple measuring, monitoring, or recording tools
• Ability to maintain accurate records and complete required checklists
• Ability to work independently after receiving required training
• Ability to communicate problems, unsafe conditions, and unusual findings promptly

LOCATION

• 19701 Fairchild, Irvine, CA 92612

CLEARANCE

• Position requires a favorably completed Tier 2 background investigation
• Applicants may be required to complete fingerprinting, electronic background-investigation forms, and credentialing
• Foreign-national applicants must meet applicable federal residency requirements for credentialing

CLIENT

• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

• Employment Classification Eligibility-Non-exempt

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KMRG, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital or civil partnership status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, maternity status, political affiliation, military or veteran status, genetic information, traits historically associated with race, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and/or local law.

Other Considerations. Applicants will be subject to a background investigation. Individual's primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 100% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 100% of the time.