Title: Laboratory Operations Technician
Location: Irvine, California 92612
Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday
Salary: $25.09–$30.18 per hour

KMRG, LLC (KMRG) is a federal services company that hires talented professionals to support Government agencies and the communities they serve. We are hiring a Laboratory Operations Technician to join our team and provide onsite technical and operational laboratory support to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Irvine Human and Animal Food Laboratory.

In this role, you will support the laboratory’s daily scientific and operational activities by preparing media and solutions, sterilizing laboratory materials, assisting with sample preparation, washing glassware, handling laboratory waste, maintaining clean work areas, performing routine safety checks, and documenting required monitoring activities.

This position is a strong fit for someone dependable, safety-conscious, comfortable working in a structured laboratory environment, and able to follow written procedures carefully and consistently.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Apply today!

RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory Media, Solution & Reagent Preparation

Weigh, measure, mix, and prepare laboratory media, solutions, reagents, and standards
Adjust pH and heat prepared solutions as directed by laboratory procedures
Transfer prepared materials between containers and laboratory equipment
Label media, solutions, reagents, and standards accurately
Follow laboratory quality procedures and Standard Operating Procedures
Handle chemical additives using required safety precautions
Prepare materials for sterilization and laboratory use

Sterilization Support

Load and operate autoclaves according to established procedures
Sterilize prepared media, laboratory containers, and waste materials
Remove sterilized items and transfer them to the appropriate use, storage, or disposal area
Follow required temperature, timing, labeling, and safety procedures
Maintain accurate sterilization and equipment-use records when required

Sample Preparation

Assist with aseptic and non-aseptic preparation of laboratory samples
Remove required amounts of material from items being analyzed
Place prepared samples into appropriate containers
Work with frozen, refrigerated, and room-temperature samples
Use laboratory tools such as knives, chisels, hammers, forceps, spoons, and forks
Operate food processors, blenders, homogenizers, grinders, and similar equipment
Prepare samples in bags, jars, jugs, flasks, beakers, vials, tubes, and other approved containers
Follow sample-handling procedures designed to prevent contamination or loss

Glassware Washing & Laboratory Equipment Support

Wash laboratory glassware manually and using automatic dishwashing equipment
Empty, scrub, rinse, dry, sterilize, and store laboratory containers
Handle flasks, tubes, jars, bottles, Petri plates, and other laboratory materials
Transfer laboratory items between washing, drying, sterilization, use, and storage areas
Inspect washed items for cleanliness and readiness for reuse
Maintain orderly glassware and supply-storage areas

Waste Collection & Disposal

Collect contaminated, dirty, and used laboratory materials from designated collection areas
Safely transfer waste to decontamination or disposal areas
Separate materials for sterilization, reuse, storage, or disposal
Follow laboratory procedures for biological, chemical, and general waste
Use required personal protective equipment when handling waste
Report spills, damaged containers, or unsafe conditions promptly

Laboratory Custodial Support

Maintain the cleanliness of laboratory work areas
Clean and organize counters, work surfaces, equipment areas, and support spaces
Help keep laboratory pathways and workstations free from hazards
Replenish cleaning materials and supplies as needed
Follow contamination-control and sanitation procedures
Support a safe, organized, and inspection-ready laboratory environment

Laboratory Safety Support

Complete routine checks of laboratory eyewash and emergency shower stations
Document daily and weekly safety inspections
Identify and report damaged, blocked, or malfunctioning safety equipment
Follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements and FDA safety procedures
Wear and maintain required personal protective equipment
Report workplace incidents, injuries, unsafe conditions, and near misses promptly
Participate in required laboratory and safety training
Temperature Mapping & Equipment Monitoring
Place temperature sensors in refrigerators, freezers, ovens, and other temperature-controlled equipment
Collect temperature data for the required monitoring period
Retrieve electronic or printed temperature records
Compare results against established acceptance criteria
Help compile temperature-mapping reports
Identify and report readings that fall outside approved ranges
Maintain equipment-verification logs and monitoring records

Deionized Water-System Monitoring

Perform daily and weekly checks of deionized-water systems
Read water-quality meters, tank levels, pressure gauges, and indicator lights
Check ultraviolet lamps and deionized-water tanks
Inspect brine tanks for water and salt levels
Add salt pellets and water when directed
Perform residual-chlorine color tests
Record results on quality-assurance sheets or laboratory logbooks
Notify laboratory personnel of irregular readings or system problems

Quality Control & Documentation

Follow written Standard Operating Procedures and laboratory instructions
Complete assigned logs, checklists, and monitoring records accurately
Maintain inventory, equipment-verification, and waste-management documentation
Report incomplete work, equipment problems, supply shortages, and safety concerns
Support quality-control reviews of completed work
Correct identified documentation or procedural issues promptly
Protect Government information, equipment, and laboratory materials

REQUIRED BACKGROUND

High School Diploma or GED
At least 6 months of experience in a laboratory, industrial, custodial, manufacturing, food-processing, or similarly structured work environment
Ability to follow written procedures, safety protocols, and detailed instructions
Basic familiarity with cleaning, sanitizing, or handling laboratory glassware
Ability to use simple measuring, monitoring, or recording tools
Ability to maintain accurate records and complete required checklists
Ability to work independently after receiving required training
Ability to communicate problems, unsafe conditions, and unusual findings promptly

LOCATION

19701 Fairchild, Irvine, CA 92612

CLEARANCE

Position requires a favorably completed Tier 2 background investigation
Applicants may be required to complete fingerprinting, electronic background-investigation forms, and credentialing
Foreign-national applicants must meet applicable federal residency requirements for credentialing

CLIENT

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION

Employment Classification Eligibility—Non-exempt

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KMRG, LLC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, age, marital or civil partnership status, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, pregnancy, maternity status, political affiliation, military or veteran status, genetic information, traits historically associated with race, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and/or local law.

Other Considerations. Applicants will be subject to a background investigation. Individual’s primary workstation is located in an office area. The noise level in this environment is low to moderate. Regularly required to sit for extended periods up to 100% of the time; frequently required to move about to access file cabinets and use office equipment such as PC, copier, fax, telephone, cell phone, etc. Occasionally required to reach overhead, bend, and lift objects of up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the use of computer monitor screens up to 100% of the time.

Laboratory Operations Technician

KMRG

Compensation Overview