Laboratory Operations Technician

Laboratory Operations TechnicianLocation: Alameda, California 94502 Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday Salary: $33.89–$38.98 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 San Francisco 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.ResponsibilitiesLaboratory Media, Solution & Reagent PreparationWeigh, measure, mix, and prepare laboratory media, solutions, reagents, and standardsAdjust pH and heat prepared solutions as directed by laboratory proceduresTransfer prepared materials between containers and laboratory equipmentLabel media, solutions, reagents, and standards accuratelyFollow laboratory quality procedures and Standard Operating ProceduresHandle chemical additives using required safety precautionsPrepare materials for sterilization and laboratory useSterilization SupportLoad and operate autoclaves according to established proceduresSterilize prepared media, laboratory containers, and waste materialsRemove sterilized items and transfer them to the appropriate use, storage, or disposal areaFollow required temperature, timing, labeling, and safety proceduresMaintain accurate sterilization and equipment-use records when requiredSample PreparationAssist with aseptic and non-aseptic preparation of laboratory samplesRemove required amounts of material from items being analyzedPlace prepared samples into appropriate containersWork with frozen, refrigerated, and room-temperature samplesUse laboratory tools such as knives, chisels, hammers, forceps, spoons, and forksOperate food processors, blenders, homogenizers, grinders, and similar equipmentPrepare samples in bags, jars, jugs, flasks, beakers, vials, tubes, and other approved containersFollow sample-handling procedures designed to prevent contamination or lossGlassware Washing & Laboratory Equipment SupportWash laboratory glassware manually and using automatic dishwashing equipmentEmpty, scrub, rinse, dry, sterilize, and store laboratory containersHandle flasks, tubes, jars, bottles, Petri plates, and other laboratory materialsTransfer laboratory items between washing, drying, sterilization, use, and storage areasInspect washed items for cleanliness and readiness for reuseMaintain orderly glassware and supply-storage areasWaste Collection & DisposalCollect contaminated, dirty, and used laboratory materials from designated collection areasSafely transfer waste to decontamination or disposal areasSeparate materials for sterilization, reuse, storage, or disposalFollow laboratory procedures for biological, chemical, and general wasteUse required personal protective equipment when handling wasteReport spills, damaged containers, or unsafe conditions promptlyLaboratory Custodial SupportMaintain the cleanliness of laboratory work areasClean and organize counters, work surfaces, equipment areas, and support spacesHelp keep laboratory pathways and workstations free from hazardsReplenish cleaning materials and supplies as neededFollow contamination-control and sanitation proceduresSupport a safe, organized, and inspection-ready laboratory environmentLaboratory Safety SupportComplete routine checks of laboratory eyewash and emergency shower stationsDocument daily and weekly safety inspectionsIdentify and report damaged, blocked, or malfunctioning safety equipmentFollow Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and FDA safety proceduresWear and maintain required personal protective equipmentReport workplace incidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and near misses promptlyParticipate in required laboratory and safety trainingTemperature Mapping & Equipment MonitoringPlace temperature sensors in refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and other temperature-controlled equipmentCollect temperature data for the required monitoring periodRetrieve electronic or printed temperature recordsCompare results against established acceptance criteriaHelp compile temperature-mapping reportsIdentify and report readings that fall outside approved rangesMaintain equipment-verification logs and monitoring recordsDeionized Water-System MonitoringPerform daily and weekly checks of deionized-water systemsRead water-quality meters, tank levels, pressure gauges, and indicator lightsCheck ultraviolet lamps and deionized-water tanksInspect brine tanks for water and salt levelsAdd salt pellets and water when directedPerform residual-chlorine color testsRecord results on quality-assurance sheets or laboratory logbooksNotify laboratory personnel of irregular readings or system problemsQuality Control & DocumentationFollow written Standard Operating Procedures and laboratory instructionsComplete assigned logs, checklists, and monitoring records accuratelyMaintain inventory, equipment-verification, and waste-management documentationReport incomplete work, equipment problems, supply shortages, and safety concernsSupport quality-control reviews of completed workCorrect identified documentation or procedural issues promptlyProtect Government information, equipment, and laboratory materialsRequired BackgroundHigh School Diploma or GEDAt least 6 months of experience in a laboratory, industrial, custodial, manufacturing, food-processing, or similarly structured work environmentAbility to follow written procedures, safety protocols, and detailed instructionsBasic familiarity with cleaning, sanitizing, or handling laboratory glasswareAbility to use simple measuring, monitoring, or recording toolsAbility to maintain accurate records and complete required checklistsAbility to work independently after receiving required trainingAbility to communicate problems, unsafe conditions, and unusual findings promptlyLocation11630 West 80th Street, Lenexa, KS 66214ClearancePosition requires a favorably completed Tier 2 background investigationApplicants may be required to complete fingerprinting, electronic background-investigation forms, and credentialingForeign-national applicants must meet applicable federal residency requirements for credentialingClientU.S. Department of Health & Human ServicesEmployment ClassificationEmployment Classification Eligibility—Non-exempt