State of Maryland

A Laboratory Technician I, Agricultural Chemistry is the full performance level of technical laboratory work with responsibility for a component of laboratory work to include responsibility for specific testing activities, such as tuberculosis culturing, identification and reporting.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other laboratory workers but may oversee the work of clerical staff.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Scientist or a Laboratory Technician II.  Work is performed in a laboratory setting.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Laboratory Technician I is differentiated from the Laboratory Technician II in that the Laboratory Technician I performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Laboratory Technician II has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Laboratory Technicians.

Prepares samples, reagents and solutions necessary for chemical or biological determinations;

Performs routine chemical and biological tests and analyses in the State Chemist Laboratories;

Reports results of products analyzed;

Arranges, cleans and cares for laboratory equipment and apparatus;

Makes charts, tabulates and maintains records;

May assist in the preparation of detailed reports based on samples analyzed;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of routine laboratory practices, techniques and terminology applicable to agricultural chemistry;

Ability to perform routine laboratory tests pertinent to agricultural chemistry;

Ability to operate the scientific instruments used in agricultural chemistry;

Ability to maintain accurate records;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education:   Completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university including four courses in chemistry or biology.

Experience: Two years of laboratory experience applying chemical or biological analysis techniques.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in a laboratory applying chemical or biological techniques at a rate of one year of experience for each 30 credit hours of the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession an Associate of Arts or higher level degree in chemistry or biology from an accredited college or university for the required education or the required experience requirements.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Medical Laboratory or Histopathology classifications or Medical Laboratory specialty codes in the field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B-Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.   An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.