Senior Laboratory Assistant REF NO: 3/3/1/86/2026 at Department of Agriculture(DOA)

REQUIREMENTS :

• Applicants must be in a possession of a Grade 12 Certificate. A Minimum of 3 years relevant experience in Laboratory and Horticulture.
• Job Related Knowledge: Knowledge of the Public Service and Departmental prescripts /policies. Agricultural Product Standards Act 119 of 1990, Liquor Products Act 60 of 1989.
• Job Related Skills: Knowledge and application of the Laboratory quality systems. Knowledge of work-related policies and procedures. Laboratory techniques and safety. Problem solving techniques. Effective communication. Provisioning administrative system (chemicals, equipment etc). Data processing. Applicable relevant analytical techniques.
• Efficient managing of stores and ordering of miscellaneous stores. Use of relevant laboratory and office equipment. Manual dexterity. Communication capabilities. Insight capabilities in the application of quality assurance documentation. Accuracy, thoroughness and timeous Ness. Computer skills, application/usage of computer software. Alert and troubleshooting skills.
• Administrative and organisational skills Language capabilities with regard to the understanding of quality system documentation. Planning and organising abilities. Self developmentally inclined. Team building. Trainings skills/give guidance. Extended working hours. Handling of hazardous chemicals. Valid driver’s license and the ability to drive. 

DUTIES :

• Prepare samples and perform routine analysis for the determination of i.e. chemical resides / dairy / processed food/liquor products composition components (quality control) which would, inter alia, entail the following; Labelling of samples.
• Collecting/taking samples for preparation (i.e. fruit, vegetables, grain and or other agricultural products / processed foods bread, dried fruit, fruit juice, honey vinegar). Preparation of sample material by e.g. weighing, drying, cutting etc. Preparation of media (eliza kits).
• Preparation and staining of smears. Preparation of stains, buffers and reagents. Visual inspection and collection of infected material if applicable. Perform extractions and basic analyses of samples. Record analyses results. Storage of samples. Packing and/or transport samples. Assist in decontamination and disposal of used samples. Removal of waste.
• Perform basic maintenance on selected equipment and instrumentation. Report all faulty equipment and instrumentation. Perform verification and calibration on selected equipment and instrumentation. Maintain tidiness of laboratories, clean / sterilise glassware and equipment. Clean laboratory facilities. Clean glassware and laboratory equipment.
• Perform administrative and related functions which would inter alia, entail the following: Inventory control of equipment and consumable for equipment. Recordkeeping and updating of the identified register (i.e. Register book, sample referral, sample received, record of results, inventory of standards, reagents and chemicals, waste removal). Assist with invoicing of analyses. Comply with health and safety regulations.