Laboratory Technologist

Salary: $45,907.00 - $69,203.00 Annually Location : Dauphin County, PA Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time Job Number: CS-2026-43308-32400 Department: Department of Agriculture Division: AG Labs Div Opening Date: 02/19/2026 Closing Date: 3/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Job Code: 32400 Position Number: 50703169 Union: AFSCME Bargaining Unit: B1 Pay Group: ST05 Bureau / Division Code: 00046331 Bureau / Division: Laboratory Division Worksite Address: 2305 N Cameron Street City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Zip Code: 17110 Contact Name: OA, CE Section Intake Division Contact Email: THE POSITION If you are looking to propel your career forward while acquiring invaluable experience in a scientific environment, consider this thrilling opportunity with the Veterinary Laboratory Division of the Department of Agriculture. They are actively seeking a dedicated individual to become part of their team, with a primary focus on disease testing and providing essential technical support within the laboratory. This position not only allows you to refine your professional skills but also plays a vital role in ensuring the health and safety of the community in Pennsylvania. Seize this opportunity to make a significant difference-apply today and engage in the important work of safeguarding public health! DESCRIPTION OF WORK In this position, you will collaborate closely with a team of laboratory technologists and microbiologists, handling the reception of specimens and addressing inquiries from clients, which may include direct engagement with the public. The role requires significant interaction with biological materials, including blood and deceased animals, as well as other related specimens. It is important to note that the work environment may be challenging, with the potential presence of unpleasant odors and parasites. To ensure safety and compliance with health regulations, the individual in this role must be vaccinated against rabies and keep their immunization status up to date. Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description. Work Schedule and Additional Information: Full-time employment Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 1 day per month. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview. The selected candidate for this vacancy must be immunized against rabies and maintain immunity throughout their employment. Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable. You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONSMinimum Experience and Training Requirements: Associate degree in Veterinary Laboratory Technology (VLT) or Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and one (1) year of technical laboratory experience in a biomedical research or development, clinical pathology or diagnostic laboratory; or Two (2) years of college which includes six (6) credits in biology, three (3) credits in chemistry, and three (3) credits in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, histology or biostatistics and one (1) year of technical laboratory experience in a biomedical research or development, clinical pathology or diagnostic laboratory; or An equivalent combination of experience and training which included one (1) year of technical laboratory experience in a biomedical research or development, clinical pathology or diagnostic laboratory, and six (6) college credits in biology, three (3) college credits in chemistry, and three (3) college credits in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, histology or biostatistics. Other Requirements: The candidate selected for this position will be required to be vaccinated against rabies prior to the start of employment and maintain a current rabies vaccination throughout the duration of employment. You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines. You must be able to perform essential job functions. How to Apply: Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted. Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. Veterans: Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans. Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date. The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. EXAMINATION INFORMATIONCompleting the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam). Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. Your score is valid for this specific posting only. You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved. you may be disqualified. You may only apply/test once for this posting. Your results will be provided via email. Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short ! See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our Health & Wellness We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.Compensation & Financial Planning We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options. Work/Life Balance We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities. Values and Culture We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving. Employee Perks Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships. For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box. Eligibility rules apply. 01 Do you possess a conferred associate's degree in Veterinary Laboratory Technology (VLT), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), or Veterinary Medical Technology (VMT)? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. Yes No 02 How many years of full-time technical laboratory experience in a biomedical research or development laboratory, a clinical pathology laboratory, or a diagnostic laboratory do you possess? 2 years or more 1 but less than 2 years Less than 1 year None 03 If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below. 04 Have you completed at least six college credits in biology?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. Yes No 05 If "Yes", please list the qualifying coursework in the space below. If you do not possess at least six credits in biology, type N/A in the box below. 06 Have you completed at least three college credits in chemistry?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. Yes No 07 If "Yes", please list the qualifying coursework in the space below. If you do not possess at least three credits in chemistry, type N/A in the box below. 08 Have you completed at least three college credits in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, histology or biostatistics?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted. If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. Yes No 09 If "Yes", please list the qualifying coursework in the space below. If you do not possess at least three college credits in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, histology or biostatistics type N/A in the box below. 10 How much college coursework have you completed?If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link. 60 credits or more 30 but less than 60 credits Less than 30 credits None 11 You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application, or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score. All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions. Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function. If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions. If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our Yes 12 WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - RECEIVES SAMPLES Receives clinical specimens and reviews specimen documentation for completeness and accuracy. Verifies that specimen source, sample quality, collection method, and transport conditions meet laboratory testing requirements.Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. A. I have experience receiving clinical specimens AND reviewing specimen documentation for completeness and accuracy. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR verifying whether specimen source, sample quality, collection method, AND transport conditions met laboratory testing requirements. B. I have experience receiving clinical specimens OR reviewing specimen documentation for completeness and accuracy. I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR verifying whether specimen source, sample quality, collection method, OR transport conditions met laboratory testing requirements. C. I have experience receiving clinical specimens OR reviewing specimen documentation for completeness and accuracy. SOMEONE ELSE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR verifying whether specimen source, sample quality, collection method, and transport conditions met laboratory testing requirements. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to veterinary laboratory technology. E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 13 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The type(s) of samples you received and reviewed. The type(s) of information you verified related to clinical specimens. Your level of responsibility. 14 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University/Training Source Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 15 WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PERFORMS LABORATORY TESTS Conducts standardized microbiological, chemical, and biological tests to identify and measure the composition of biological samples including 1) microscopy, 2) ELISA for antigen or antibody and 3) plate and slide-based agglutination and immunodetection assays. Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. A. I have experience conducting standardized microbiological, chemical, and biological tests including ALL 3 OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) microscopy, 2) ELISA for antigen or antibody, AND 3) plate and slide-based agglutination and immunodetection assays. B. I have experience conducting standardized microbiological, chemical, or biological tests including 2 OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) microscopy, 2) ELISA for antigen or antibody, OR 3) plate and slide-based agglutination and immunodetection assays. C. I have experience conducting standardized microbiological, chemical, or biological tests including 1 OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) microscopy, 2) ELISA for antigen or antibody, OR 3) plate and slide-based agglutination and immunodetection assays. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to biology, microbiology, or chemistry. E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 16 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The type(s) of laboratory tests you performed. Your level of responsibility. 17 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University/Training Source Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 18 WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - QUALITY CONTROL CHECKS Conducts and records quality control checks on the following to ensure consistency and reliability of performance: 1) equipment and instruments; 2) prepared media, reagents, and kits; and 3) control organisms and other reference stocks/materials.Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. A. I have experience conducting and recording quality control checks on ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) equipment and instruments; 2) prepared media, reagents, and kits; AND 3) control organisms and other reference stocks/materials. B. I have experience conducting or recording quality control checks on 2 OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) equipment and instruments; 2) prepared media, reagents, and kits; OR 3) control organisms and other reference stocks/materials. C. I have experience conducting or recording quality control checks on 1 OF THE FOLLOWING: 1) equipment and instruments; 2) prepared media, reagents, and kits; OR 3) control organisms and other reference stocks/materials. D. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to quality assurance or quality control. E. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 19 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The type(s) of quality control checks you conducted or recorded. The actual duties you performed and level of responsibility. 20 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University/Training Source Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 21 WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - PACKAGES AND SHIPS SPECIMENS Packages specimens for shipment which includes determining appropriate shipping classification, labeling the container, completing accompanying paperwork, and ensuring timely delivery to laboratories, agencies, or other authorized recipients per regulatory shipping guidelines. Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. A. I have experience packaging specimens for shipment, determining the appropriate shipping classification, and labeling the container to ensure timely delivery. B. I have experience packaging specimens for shipment and labeling the container to ensure timely delivery. SOMEONE ELSE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR determining the appropriate shipping classification. C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to laboratory safety, blood borne pathogen training, or transportation of infectious substances. D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 22 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. Your experience packaging, labeling, or determining the appropriate shipping classification for specimens. Your level of responsibility. 23 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University/Training Source Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours 24 WORK BEHAVIOR 5 - CLIENT SERVICE Responds to client inquiries on-site, via phone, or electronically regarding specimen submission, accessions, status of laboratory testing results, and related policy and procedures.Levels of PerformanceSelect the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim. A. I have experience responding to client inquiries regarding specimen submission, accessions, status of laboratory testing results, and related policy and procedures. B. I have experience responding to client inquiries or questions and providing information regarding policy and procedures. This client service was NOT related to laboratory environments. C. I have successfully completed college-level coursework or training related to customer service relations, communications, or speech. D. I have NO experience or training related to this work behavior. 25 In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience. The type(s) of inquiries to which you responded. The setting in which you provided client services. 26 If you have selected the level of performance pertaining to college coursework or training, please provide your responses to the items listed below. If you indicated you have no education/training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the text box below. College/University/Training Source Course Title(s) Credits/Clock Hours Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04