Seed Laboratory Supervisor

Overview

The recruitment is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of February 10, 2026. To be considered, please submit your application on or before February 9, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

The Seed Program provides accurate, timely and high-quality seed analysis and certification services while continually striving for improvements in methods and technologies to assure success for the program and its seed industry stakeholders. WSDA Seed Program is a unit within the Commodity Inspection Division that conducts pre-harvest seed field inspections and laboratory seed testing of agricultural, vegetable, native plants, rangeland grasses and flower seeds grown under the certification and phytosanitary programs.

The program is responsible for seed certification, seed testing, phytosanitary visual seed inspection, seed inspection and official seed sampling as well as the program is the state seed regulatory agent. Additionally, the program monitors two seed quarantines to assist producers to replicate disease and pest free commodities.

The Seed Laboratory Supervisor (Laboratory Technician
4) directs laboratory activities within the Purity and Breakdown and filing sections of the Seed Laboratory. This role supports overall operations by supervising laboratory technicians and assistants and ensuring all staff comply with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards. In addition to supervisory duties, this position performs highly complex testing and analysis within their area of specialization.

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Purity and Breakdown Seed Laboratory Supervisor within the Commodity Inspection Services Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington and is not a union represented.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: $63,252 - $84,984 annually.

Hiring Incentive:
Applicants are eligible for a 10% retention bonus to be awarded after successful completion of one (1) year as the Seed Laboratory Supervisor.

• Include, but not limited to:
  Supervise Laboratory technicians and assistants within the Purity and Breakdown sections of the Seed Laboratory.
• Plan, schedule, assign and review the daily work of staff, adjusting assignments and schedule to maintain adequate staffing levels including responding to fluctuating workloads.
• Conduct quality control on samples performed by direct reports.
• Evaluate employee performance levels and assess training needs, coaching, and mentoring of staff and assign qualified trainers.
• Provide information and instruction on changes that occur in the marketplace.
• Evaluate trainee progress by interviewing trainee and trainer and using knowledge assessments and tests.
• Serve as a liaison between lab staff and management to ensure lab procedures are followed.
• Exercise technical and administrative supervision over all laboratory staff within Viability and filing.
• Review, audit and approve staff’s daily timesheets and TEMS vouchers for accuracy and completeness.
• Oversee samples that are being checked in and processed according to receipt and special services such as rush, super rush, service samples and customized stakeholder requests.
• Verify that procedures are being followed, ISO 9001:2015, USDA ASL, AOSA, ISTA, Canadian, Phytosanitary, safety, and any other specialized procedures or stakeholder requests.
• Review and vote on AOSA Rules Proposals that may impact Washington State seed industry.
• Participate in leadership and all staff meetings.

• Perform complex technical laboratory work, research, routine and advanced laboratory testing and analysis.
• Perform the work of a lower-level laboratory positions and fulfill the needs of lower-level task when needed.
• Assist with additional laboratory data entry in Pure Harvest in the absence of office staff.
• Apply certification standards according to Chapter 16-301 and 16-302 WAC, Canadian Seed Testing, International Seed Testing Association or other certification standards and stakeholders' requests.
• Enter and retrieve data from a specialized Seed Laboratory testing programs.
• Review and sign completed laboratory reports before release to the stakeholder.
• Provide RST seal and signature on final reports when requested.

• Serve as an active member on program ISO and ASL accreditation committees, representing the Purity and Breakdown section of the seed laboratory.
• Collaborate with ISO coordinator in preparation for annual ISO and ASL audit.
• Create and maintain SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure) and flow charts.
• Work with staff on corrective action reports and continuous improvements.
• Evaluate suppliers and supplies once received according to ISO and USDA ASL.
• Ensure proper Viability supplies are obtained and used according to testing…