We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership.

· The mission of the GDA is to protect consumers, promote agriculture, both locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

· The vision of the GDA is to continue to be a globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

This position is assigned to the following county:

· Tifton

Applicant must reside in this county or surrounding area or be willing to relocate.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under direct supervision, job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• • Prepare media and/or, agents for use in performing routine analysis of seed samples.
  • Perform laboratory tests and procedures following proper protocols to ensure that samples are stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively
  • Monitoring and recording the quality of reagents
  • Participate in lab safety; may perform analysis on potentially hazardous samples
  • Receive, dry, store, protect, and process seed samples
  • Record seed test data accurately
  • Record observations on the physical condition of the seed (e.g. maturity, presence of disease, seed treatment, mechanical damage, or insect damage according to established guidelines)
  • Evaluate and record results of seed samples tested for germination factors based on the AOSA Rules for Testing Seeds and according to state and federal laws
  • Observe germination analysis of seedlings for the future classification of normal, abnormal, dormant, hard, or dead.
  • Prepare, blend, divide, and weigh representative seed samples according to the proper method for analysis of each seed kind
  • Achieve AOSA certification in germination and purity within 5 years of hire date (study materials and on-the-job training will be provided)

Other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to applicants, who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

• • Bachelor’s degree in crop & soil science, agriculture, horticulture, or botany
  • Previous laboratory experience
  • Knowledge of requirements for sample sorting, preparation, and/or testing
  • Working knowledge of Windows computer operating system and applications

Physical Demands:

• • Sitting for long periods
  • May have to lift 50lb

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates. The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, and criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.

HOW TO APPLY: Resumes may be submitted by adding to your profile in Team Georgia Careers.

· Via Team Georgia Careers http://team.georgia.gov/careers/

The GDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive a notification.

If you need accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615.

** The position will be closed once a suitable candidate is identified *