Agency Information: Kansas Department of Agriculture

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is devoted to the total support of agriculture in Kansas. The department works for the entire Kansas agriculture sector including farmers, ranchers, food establishments and agribusinesses. The agency has a balanced approach to providing an environment that enhances and encourages economic growth of the agriculture industry and Kansas economy while promoting and advocating for the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer, and economic contributor. KDA helps to ensure a safe food supply, protects natural resources, promotes public health and safety, protects animal health, and provides consumer protection to the best of our ability.

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: Anyone
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary: $41,000/Year
• Hourly Pay: $19.71/Hour

• Salary can vary depending upon education, experience, or qualifications.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

This position will remain posted until filled. Location: In or around Riley County

This position will be working in a new, state-of-the-art laboratory! Primary assignments include instrumental analysis of agricultural samples to ensure public safety and/or consumer protection. Assigned work may include samples of various matrices to be tested for pesticide residues, but also may include: macro- and micronutrients, mycotoxins, feed additives, drug residues, cannabinoids, and elements according to program or seasonal needs. Anticipate and make plans to accomplish assigned work (sample preparation, analyses, data interpretation, preparation of reagents and solutions, etc.) within expected timeframes.

In a cover letter, please describe any previous work or training performed with LC-MS-MS and/or GC-MS-MS. Has experience with benchtop lab equipment such as balances, pipettors, grinding mills, glassware, shakers, vortexers, and related. Maintain sufficient supply/inventory of chemicals and consumables to perform work. Maintain analytical instruments and equipment.

This position will contribute to method development, validation, or verification according to customer request. Contribute to lab procedures and other documents for ISO 17025 accreditation, where applicable. Maintain quality control charts. Maintain sample integrity, chain-of-custody, testing records, and customer confidentiality. Complete assigned proficiency testing samples on time. Attend meetings and training as assigned.

This position will adhere to established work and safety standards. Perform routine reagent preparation and lab housekeeping. Assist with seasonally high sample testing volumes across lab areas. Respond to lab customer inquiries. Other duties as assigned.

Employee will report to the KDA Laboratory located in Manhattan, Kansas on a daily basis.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Agricultural or Life Sciences, or related.
• Knowledge of bench chemistry techniques and analytical chemistry instruments such as liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.
• Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and repair of benchtop and complex laboratory instruments.
• Experience and/or knowledge of method development, validation, or verification.

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter including level of experience and/or education for the following technologies: GC-MS-MS, HPLC, LC-MS-MS, ICP-MS, ICP-OES.

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and Submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

• Instructions:
  • Job Search
  • Registration & User Account
  • Application
  • Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.