Labotary Technician - 1st Shift
The Laboratory Technician I is an entry-level role responsible for performing routine microbiological, chemical, and organoleptic testing to support multiple departments including Food Safety and Quality Assurance. The role involves executing established laboratory procedures, maintaining lab operations, and contributing to quality and compliance initiatives to ensure accurate and reliable test results in a fast-paced environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Scientific & QA.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This role supports routine microbiological, chemical, and organoleptic testing to help the confidential client maintain product safety, quality, and compliance. Typical day-to-day responsibilities include:
- Perform and interpret qualitative and quantitative microbial analyses on product and environmental samples (for example: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Staphylococcus, E. coli, yeast, and mold).
- Conduct basic chemical analyses (moisture, fat, protein, ash, free fatty acids, peroxide value, pH).
- Support sensory and new product development activities, including scheduled sensory evaluations and shelf-life studies.
- Prepare media and reagents; maintain inventory of testing supplies.
- Monitor basic instrument functionality and support calibration checks.
- Follow daily/weekly/monthly cleaning and maintenance schedules to keep the lab safe and inspection-ready.
- Follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), participate in proficiency testing, and document results accurately.
- Communicate testing issues to appropriate teams and participate in internal audits and departmental meetings as requested.
Qualifications
Required / preferred qualifications for success in this position:
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree, or certificate, in Microbiology, Food Science, or a related field.
- Basic proficiency with common laboratory techniques; entry-level candidates encouraged to apply.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office and common communication tools.
- Ability to adapt to shifting priorities in a fast-paced production environment.
- ISO 17025 familiarity or LIMS experience is preferred but not required.
Compensation & Schedule
- Hourly rate: $24.21 per hour.
- Estimated annualized pay (for full-time, 40 hrs/wk): approximately $50,356.
- Schedule: 1st Shift (day shift), full-time.
Location
- Worksite: Fredericksburg, PA (onsite). This role supports on-site laboratory and production testing at the confidential client facility.
Why Apply
- Hands-on entry-level lab experience in a Scientific & QA environment.
- Opportunity to develop foundational laboratory skills and grow into more advanced analytical responsibilities.
- Work within cross-functional teams (Food Safety/Quality Assurance, Hatchery, Live Operations, R&D).
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
Negotiate a higher salary! Check the salary ranges for this job type in your area.
View My Salary Range