Lab Coordinator

Department Contact: Luis Sabillon Galeas, , lsabillo

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

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Summary:

The NMSU Food Safety Laboratory is seeking a Laboratory Coordinator to support the operation, quality management, and continued growth of an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited food safety testing laboratory. The position will coordinate laboratory activities and provide technical and quality assurance support for food microbiology testing, laboratory documentation, quality control, internal audits, corrective actions, and accreditation requirements. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining and continually improving the laboratory’s ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system while supporting day-to-day laboratory operations, testing activities, personnel coordination, and client service.

This position offers an opportunity to work in a dynamic, student-supported laboratory environment focused on food safety testing, research, and applied services for industry, government, and other stakeholders.

Position Title: Lab Coordinator

College/Division: Agricultural Experiment Station

Department: 317775-BIO SECURITY AND FOOD SAFETY CENTER

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status
:

Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding:Not Applicable

Standard

Work Schedule:

Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard

Work Schedule:

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate daily operations of the NMSU Food Safety Laboratory, including sample processing, testing activities, workflow, and laboratory resources.
• Maintain and continually improve the laboratory’s ISO/IEC 17025 quality management system and ensure compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate quality assurance and quality control activities, including document control, recordkeeping, quality monitoring, corrective actions, and continual improvement.
• Support internal audits, external assessments, surveillance visits, proficiency testing, and other laboratory accreditation activities.
• Review laboratory documentation and testing records to ensure accuracy, completeness, traceability, and compliance with established procedures.
• Support development, revision, verification, validation, and implementation of laboratory methods, SOPs, and quality procedures.
• Perform and/or oversee food microbiology testing and related laboratory activities within the laboratory’s scope of services.
• Coordinate training and provide technical guidance to laboratory personnel, students, and other staff on testing methods, quality requirements, and laboratory procedures.
• Support equipment calibration, maintenance, verification, inventory, and associated documentation.
• Assist with sample receiving, accessioning, tracking, testing, reporting, and records management.
• Support laboratory safety, biosafety, and contamination-control practices.
• Assist with client services, laboratory projects, research activities, and other operational needs of the Food Safety Laboratory.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required

Education and Experience:

Associate's Degree + 2 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree.

Equivalent

Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:Master’s degree in food science, microbiology, biology, or a closely related field; professional experience in a food, environmental, clinical, or other analytical laboratory; demonstrated experience with laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs; experience developing, implementing, maintaining, or…