Position Title: NMDA Regulatory Lab Coord

Employee Classification: NMDA Regulatory Lab Coord

College/Division: New Mexico Dept of Agriculture

Department: 180450-NMDA STATE SEED LABORATORY

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate:  $53,165.80 - $67,786.96. Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency:  1.0

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Exempt

Summary:  The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) works for the benefit of the state’s citizens and supports the viability of agriculture and affiliated industries. NMDA promotes food protection, a uniform, and fair marketplace, and global marketing and economic development; supports the beneficial use of natural resources; and works cooperatively with public and private sector entities. Opportunities for excellence abound, and NMDA staff dedicate themselves to proactive service in fulfilling the department’s mission. Each division plays an important role in carrying out the goals and objectives. Our rich agricultural history, culture, and traditions are addressed through new and innovative approaches using the latest in science, technology, and economic strategies. In New Mexico, we contribute to the safest and most affordable, and nutritious food supply on the globe.

NMDA is a constitutional agency organized under the Board of Regents of New Mexico State University (NMSU). This unique relationship creates efficiencies and opportunities for New Mexico’s food and agriculture sector as well as service and outreach opportunities for NMSU, making NMDA an integral part of the university. NMDA/NMSU is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Classification Summary:
Performs all operations of regulatory agency laboratory including chemical, physical or biological analyses for both the agency regulatory program, as well as the regulated industry and public (on a fee basis); maintains proper quality assurance and laboratory certifications in compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and standards; records, maintains, and reports resulting analysis data to regulatory programs for utilization in inspection and enforcement determinations.

Classification Standard Duties:
Under limited supervision, perform, modify, and develop methods for chemical, physical, or biological analysis to identify the purity and concentration of substances that may be constituents, adulterants, contaminants, or potentially hazardous substances in the environment, food, consumer products, biological tissues and fluids, hazardous waste, or industrial and agricultural commodities or seeds. These anaylses are performed for the agency regulatory program as well as the regulated industry and the public, on a fee basis. Assist and consult on field sampling, handling and preservation procedures; evaluate and maintain adequate laboratory equipment and quality assurance procedures including arranging necessary maintenance or replacement of equipment and supplies; maintain standards for required laboratory certifications; perform recording and mathematical or statistical analysis and interpretation of analysis results; resolve technical. May oversee the supervision of personnel to include: work allocation, training, promotion and enforcement of internal procedures and controls and problem resolution; evaluate performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions; motivates employees to achieve peak productivity and performance. Organize, plan, and complete activities to achieve general and specific goals outlined by supervisor. Perform miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Required Education, Experience, Certification/License, Equivalency
Required Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.; Required Experience: Three (3) years of professional experience directly related to the standard duties as outlined.; Equivalency: One; Required Certification/License:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
KNOWLEDGE:Knowledge and understanding of university and department policies and procedures; accreditation and certification requirements and standards; proper laboratory operations and procedures; proper chemical hygiene, good laboratory practices, hazardous waste handling, and environmental health standards; state and federal laws and rules pertaining to regulatory programs for which analysis is being performed.; SKILLS:Skill in verbal and written communication; preparing and maintaining accurate, orderly records and reports; maintaining professional and appropriate report with regulated entities and laboratory customers; short and long term planning for effective and timely completion of assigned work.; ABILITIES:Ability to develop and perform analysis following prescribed analysis methodologies; monitor and maintain quality assurance and quality control standards; supervise, advise, and train any assigned staff; complete assigned tasks and activities in requested timeframes; obtain guidance or direction from supervisor when needed; foster a cooperative work environment and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, supervisor, regulated industry, and the public; self motivate to work effectively under limited supervision.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
This position provides leadership and management of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture State Seed Laboratory with the overall responsibility of managing for quality and effective service and leading the improvement and innovation process to respond to anticipated needs in the seed industry. An employee in this job performs purity and germination testing on uniformed seed samples to verify seed quality and viability in accordance with laws, regulations, and required industry standards. Work involves identifying and categorizing common and uncommon seed species to determine appropriate purity testing methods; conducting physical purity, noxious weed content, and germination seed exams; and generating, reviewing, and interpreting lab results and reporting discrepancies to the supervisor for regulatory action. Work includes maintaining seed sample data and cleaning and maintaining lab equipment. Work is performed independently. Uses working knowledge of the USDA Federal Seed Act, standard seed testing rules national (AOSA), or international (ISTA or Candian) seed testing rules, follows correct testing procedures to meet customer testing needs

Preferred Qualifications

Full-time experience performing purity, germination, or special tests on seeds and training providing the knowledge of the Federal Seed Act along with AOSA or SCST rules for testing seeds; Working knowledge of AOSA, Canada and ISTA Seed Testing Rules OR a certificate of competency in seed testing from either AOSA or SCST.

Special Requirements of the Position
A Cover Letter and Unofficial Transcripts are required.

Department Contact:  Cheryl Mason-Herrera, 646-7523,cmason@nmda.nmsu.edu

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Bargaining Unit Eligibility: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves exposure to potentially dangerous materials and situations that require following extensive safety precautions and may include the use of protective equipment.