Seed Analyst In-Training

The Opportunity

The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Seed Program provides accurate, timely, and high‑quality seed analysis and certification services. The program conducts pre‑harvest seed field inspections and laboratory testing of a wide variety of agricultural, vegetable, native plant, rangeland grass, and flower seeds. It is responsible for seed certification, phytosanitary visual inspection, sample collection, and is the state seed regulatory agent. This position works in the viability area of the lab, supporting the laboratory supervisor and performing routine and advanced laboratory testing with minimal assistance.

The role may oversee interns or trainees and participates in their training.

• Conduct laboratory purity or germination testing and apply certification standards (Chapter 16‑301, 16‑302 WAC, Canadian Seed Testing, International Seed Testing Association, and customer requests).
• Provide interpretation of regulations specific to program daily operation.
• Perform technical laboratory work and research, routine and advanced testing.
• Use and verify calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Produce quality results for certification, labeling, and marketing seed.
• Enter and retrieve data from the Specialized Seed Laboratory testing database.
• Review or sign completed laboratory reports before release.
• Identify, classify, and calculate quantities of contaminants or abnormalities in samples.
• Identify seedling abnormalities (dead or abnormal seedlings).
• Conduct testing according to AOSA/SCST, USDA, Washington, Canadian, International standards, and special requests.
• Maintain knowledge of seed structures and abnormalities that impact seed or seedlings.
• Enter results accurately into Pure Harvest for stakeholder use.
• Apply applicable certification standards to all samples submitted.
• Conduct additional quality examinations such as Clearfield and Axigen trait tests.
• Attend training on customized customer requests.
• Use specific chemicals for specific seed tests.
• Dissect and prepare biological tissue samples for identification and/or viability.
• Participate in research projects for future national seed testing rules.
• Prevent cross‑contamination of samples and tests.
• Understand, participate in, and abide by accreditation ISO principles and ASL program standards.
• Follow all WSDA and Seed Program safety protocol.

• Perform testing and duties of lower‑level laboratory staff and program duties when necessary.
• Carry out more complex determinations as part of training for higher‑level positions.
• Coordinate training of new staff members and communicate seed testing rules and accreditation.
• Coordinate education and demonstrations.
• Present technical data or outreach educational material to industry on behalf of the program.
• Represent the program.

• Maintain good standing as an AOSA/SCST certified analyst.
• Participate in continuing education to maintain accreditation.
• Maintain SCST accreditation through education and annual proficiency tests.
• Participate in USDA ASL audit process and program accreditation.
• Participate in annual ISO audit process.
• Verify seed samples to ensure compliance with certification requirements.
• Prepare samples for OECD grow‑out test plots and create stakes for identification.
• Assist in developing training plans and goals for new laboratory staff.
• Assist in field inspection, planning and planting of OECD test plots and plot maintenance.
• Assist with other lab sections as needed.
• Assist with chemical inventory and supply ordering and restocking.
• File samples and retrieve them for additional tests.
• Collect submitted sample envelopes and file them by year and lab number for retention.
• Retrieve samples from storage for retesting.
• Divide submitted samples into subsamples for testing.
• Assist in sanitizing lab equipment.
• Transport contaminated glassware or laboratory materials to designated sanitation areas.
• Sterilize, sort, and restock lab equipment according to procedures.
• Assist in the annual purging of file samples.
• Mix chemical solutions for testing.

Laboratory Technician 1: In‑training – Step A: $47,100 to Step L: $61,644.
Laboratory Technician 2: Ste…