Microbiologist Technician I - Temporary - Part-time (Weekends)

Description

TR Toppers is recruiting for a part-time Microbiologist Technician in Pueblo, CO, who possesses a strong work ethic, a willingness to work hard, a dependable and positive attitude, adaptability, honesty, self-motivation, a desire to learn and grow, and strong self-confidence.  If this description aligns with your skills and experience, we encourage you to apply for this position.

TR Toppers is a national food processing company based in Pueblo, CO. We specialize in processing name-brand candies and other types of toppings and inclusions used in various food products, such as ice cream and cakes, and ship them throughout the country.  We are a progressive, family-owned business that is rapidly growing.

SUMMARY: The position is responsible for meeting product specifications and enforcing company policies and procedures on the production floor. The individual will work independently, multitask, be detail-oriented, and possess sound decision-making skills, based on the quality process from the beginning of manufacturing through to the end.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Collaborate with suppliers to obtain necessary project information for project development. 

• Use the product information provided by the supplier and studies conducted by the QA department to develop finished product specifications.
• Collaborate with customers to gather their requirements during the product development, sample, and trial phases.
• Assist customers with questions and inquiries.
• Tests products at specified stages of the production process and evaluates them for various attributes.
• Records computer test data for analysis, applying statistical quality control procedures.
• Evaluate data, prepare graphs or charts, and write monthly reports to manage and validate deviations from existing standards.
• Modifications to existing quality or production standards are recommended to enable production leads to achieve optimum quality within the limits of equipment capability.
• Set up and perform tests on materials, parts, or products to measure their performance, lifespan, or material properties.
• Assesses all outgoing end products to ensure they meet internal and external standards.
• Write certificates of analysis for customers.
• Perform product microbiological testing.
• Monitor facility personnel’s compliance with GMP and other food safety, quality, and personnel safety policies and procedures.
• Assist in preparing samples, maintaining sample retention, and ordering supplies for the lab.
• Crosstrain new lab technicians.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required. 

Requirements

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  

• A bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from an Accredited College or university, focusing on life sciences, and one year of experience in biological or chemical laboratory testing is preferred.
• The successful candidate must pass a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

WORK SCHEDULE: This is a temporary, part-time position working weekends. You must be flexible and able to work weekdays and overtime to meet the company's needs. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of one course in Microbiology with accompanying laboratory
• Experience in media creation
• Experience with operating plating, incubation, and standard lab equipment
• Experience with aseptic technique
• Must be comfortable working with food products
• Recent work experience performing quality control in a food production facility or industry is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of food production for quality assessments is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE POSITION:

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents, including safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including probability and statistical inference, as well as the fundamentals of plane, solid geometry, and trigonometry. Applying fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with various concrete variables in situations with limited standardization. The ability to interpret multiple instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described below represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use their hands and arms to reach. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch, as well as taste and smell, to perform standard laboratory procedures.

The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform basic functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. The production rooms are noisy, and the lab can be loud when the lab equipment is in operation.

NOTE: This position will be open until filled.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability.