Rabies Laboratory Assistant Technician

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Laboratory Technician II

Opening Date: June 25, 2025

Closing Date: July 9, 2025

Job Class Code: 4212

Grade: 16  (Pro / Tech)

Salary: $36,795.20 - $50,481.60 per year

Position Number: 02031-1651

Location: Augusta

The Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory (HETL) is looking for an individual to work as a laboratory assistant within the TB/Rabies section and provide aid to other lab sections as needed.  In this position you will be required to be vaccinated against the Rabies virus.

This position supports the HETL Microbiology section.  Primary responsibility will be to perform procedures that aid in the diagnosis of Rabies in suspected domestic and wild animals. These procedures include performing necropsies, preparing smears, and staining slides. This position is also responsible for overseeing the decontamination and sterilization of materials used in the Clinical Microbiology sections, as well as other various duties assigned.

Core Responsibilities:

As a key member of the TB/Rabies team, your core responsibilities will include:

•    Perform daily temperature and other checks for autoclaves and washers
•    Perform Rabies testing tasks
     o    Check for animals in the outside refrigerator
     o    Accession (log into lab database) animals
     o    Perform necropsy and make slides
     o    Stain slides, deliver, and notify appropriate staff that slides are available
     o    Decontamination and disposal of rabies waste
•    Check Media Prep tasks
•    Wash glassware and other lab items 
•    Perform weekly quality control test for autoclave(s)
•    Perform eye wash and safety shower checks for Necropsy suite

Minimum Qualifications:

A two (2) year combination of education, training, and experience which demonstrates a knowledge of medical or environmental technology and/or analytical chemistry and laboratory equipment, testing, and techniques.

Preferred candidates will also have:

•    Rabies vaccination/titer
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills
•    Experience in performing necropsies
•    Knowledge and experience with autoclaves and laboratory washers
•    Knowledge and experience with laboratory equipment used to make reagents and media for a clinical laboratory
•    A working knowledge of a laboratory information management system (LIMS)
•    Experience with laboratory database and patient data entry into system
•    The ability to work with managers and staff on various tasks 

Thinking about applying?

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Agency information: 

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State's population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

The mission for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), within which this position is located, is to develop and deliver services to preserve, protect, and promote the health and well-being of the citizens of Maine.

Application Information:

For additional information about this position  please contact Lori Webber, TB/Rabies Supervisor, at (207) 287-1730.

*To apply, please upload a resume and cover letter with your application.

Please submit all documents or files in PDF format.

To request a paper application, please contact Mandy.Hernandez@Maine.gov

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit