Laboratory Services Officer, Aps Level 3, National

**Job no**: 511661

**Employment type**: Ongoing

**Location**: Sydney

**Categories**: APS Level 3, Science, Engineering, Technical

**About the department**:
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government’s agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia’s existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID‑19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government’s economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

**About the team**:
We are the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre around being Adaptable, Innovative, Accountable, Strategic, Inclusive and Influential.

The Analytical Services Branch consists of a team of over 100 staff based in North Ryde and Port Melbourne. We are responsible for conducting chemical and biological measurement on a wide range of samples (including water, soil, food and pharmaceuticals). Performing a diverse range of tests (including elements, nutrients, organic contaminants and microbiological parameters). We provide analytical solutions and technical expertise for a large set of private sector and government clients across the environmental, food and health sectors, enabling them to meet their business, research and regulatory compliance needs. We also work closely with the tertiary education sector in Australia and have a number of international stakeholders. The Australian Ultra Trace Laboratory, AUTL, is a highly specialised laboratory operating advanced instrumentation to provide world class capabilities for environmental contaminants such as dioxins and PFAS.

We are excited to be offering a role that will focus on laboratory services. The Laboratory Services Unit provides operational, technical and administrative support to the daily activities of several analytical testing laboratories located at the NMI North Ryde (Organic chemistry, Inorganic chemistry, AUTL) through the management of samples (receipt, processing, registering, storage and disposal), liaising with clients, reporting and invoicing and the supply of sampling containers to NMI’s customers.

Whilst this role is more of an administrative nature a comprehensive scientific background and knowledge of laboratory operations is required. The Laboratory Services Officer role is highly collaborative, engaging with staff across these laboratories and the associated support functions on the site.
- Tertiary level qualifications in a scientific field, preferably chemistry related
- Experience (minimum of two years) and ability to independently work in an analytical laboratory environment showing initiative and judgement.
- Excellent client and interpersonal communication skills (oral and written) in order to communicate with external and internal clients.
- Ability to successfully work under general direction demonstrating a high level of self-organisation and sound judgement in prioritising tasks
- Demonstrated experience with working in a team environment to achieve mutual goals.
- Have accountability for the completion of allocated tasks and under direction carry out specific tasks that are part of a higher level role

**What you will do**:
This position is based at NMI North Ryde and is a full time position providing administrative and technical support to the Analytical Services Branch. You will report to the Laboratory Services Manager at North Ryde and contribute to a team responsible for the delivery of the following key functions:

- Receipt and preparation of samples, requiring interpretation of chain of custodies and relevant quotations.
- Liaising with internal and external clients and registering samples into the Laboratory Information Management System
- Preparation of preview and final invoices
- Manual handling, including lifting and disposal of samples, will be required throughout the journey of samples from receipt to disposal
- Preparation/preservation, packing and shipping of sampling containers to customers
- Working in a team environment you will need to prioritise incoming work to achieve targeted turnaround times, whilst always adhering and following the APS Code of conduct, the NMI V