Laboratory Operations Support Technician (LT 1) DOH8953

Laboratory Operations Support Technician

This is a full-time onsite position located at our Public Health Laboratories located in Shoreline, WA.

The Opportunity

As the Laboratory Operations Support Technician, you will play an essential role in keeping Washington's Public Health Laboratories operating safely and efficiently. Working on-site in Shoreline, you'll rotate through key laboratory support areas including media preparation, glassware processing, laboratory waste decontamination, inventory and stockroom operations, and mailroom services. Your work ensures laboratory scientists have the clean equipment, prepared media, supplies, and specimens they need to perform testing that protects public health across the state.

This is a hands-on role in a fast-paced laboratory environment where accuracy, organization, and attention to safety are critical. You'll prepare laboratory materials, maintain inventory, process incoming supplies and specimens, and follow established quality and safety procedures while working closely with colleagues across the laboratory.

The work you perform behind the scenes directly supports timely laboratory testing and emergency response activities. By ensuring laboratory operations run smoothly every day, you help enable the testing and scientific work that informs public health decisions and protects the health of Washington communities.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Prepare microbiological media, laboratory solutions, and sterilized glassware used for public health testing.
• Decontaminate laboratory waste and clean, inspect, sterilize, and prepare laboratory glassware and equipment for reuse.
• Receive, track, and distribute laboratory supplies, specimens, and procurement orders while maintaining inventory and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Assemble specimen collection kits, process laboratory supply orders, and prepare inbound and outbound shipments in compliance with shipping regulations.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records, inventory data, and quality assurance documentation using computerized tracking systems and laboratory information systems (LIMS).
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on laboratory support equipment, including autoclaves, industrial dishwashers, drying ovens, media dispensers, balances, and related equipment.
• Collaborate with laboratory staff to coordinate workloads, train new team members, maintain organized work areas, and provide cross-coverage across multiple support service units as operational needs change.
• Participate in emergency response activities and provide operational support during public health emergencies as assigned.

Why You'll Love This Role:

• Build experience across multiple areas of laboratory operations while developing a broad understanding of public health laboratory services.
• Work in a collaborative environment where teamwork, quality, and safety are central to daily operations.
• Ensure laboratory scientists have the equipment, supplies, and materials needed to perform testing that serves communities throughout Washington.
• Contribute to Washington's public health emergency preparedness by supporting laboratory operations that are critical during disease outbreaks and other public health events.

What You Bring:

You enjoy hands-on work, take pride in accuracy, and understand that even routine tasks have an important purpose. You stay organized, follow established procedures carefully, and are committed to maintaining a safe laboratory environment. You work well as part of a team, communicate openly when priorities shift, and are willing to learn new processes while rotating across different operational areas. You value the role that quality laboratory support plays in protecting public health and take ownership of the work that keeps essential laboratory services running every day.

Minimum Qualifications

There are multiple pathways to qualify for this position. You must meet one of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. Please ensure any relevant experience defined below is outlined in your cover letter, resume, and/or applicant profile.

• Option 1: Two (2) or more years of experience working in a laboratory environment supporting laboratory operations, media preparation, specimen handling, or laboratory logistics
• Option 2: One (1) of more years of training in medical technology or education in college with courses in laboratory sciences AND two (1) or more years of experience working in a laboratory environment supporting laboratory operations, media preparation, specimen handling, or laboratory logistics.
• Option 3: Associate's degree or higher in biology, microbiology, chemistry, environmental science, laboratory science, or a closely related field.

Additional Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Experience preparing, cleaning, sterilizing, or maintaining laboratory glassware, laboratory equipment, laboratory supplies, or laboratory work areas.
• Experience…