Laboratory Technician Lead, Support Services; Lab Tech DOH

Overview

Description

Laboratory Technician Lead, Support Services
Public Health Laboratories, Shoreline, WA | Onsite/In Person | PERMANENT APPOINTMENT

Washington State’s Public Health Laboratories play a critical behind-the-scenes role in protecting communities statewide. This position is a hands-on Lead role within Operations Support Services, the team that keeps the labs running safely, smoothly, and on time. As a Lab Technician Lead you will provide daily, on-site leadership to staff who prepare media, manage supplies, decontaminate waste, and ensure specimens and materials move where they need to go.

If you like being the calm, steady presence that keeps complex operations moving, this role matters more than most people realize.

• Provide frontline leadership and daily coordination for Support Services staff across media prep, glassware, dish room, stockroom, mailroom, and kit preparation
• Train and support staff, including onboarding, annual competencies, and cross-training
• Monitor workflows, prioritize tasks, and ensure critical lab support functions meet safety, quality, and turnaround expectations
• Prepare microbiological media and reagents using approved protocols and quality controls
• Maintain and update procedures, logs, and documentation tied to safety, quality, and equipment maintenance
• Serve as the go-to lead when the supervisor is unavailable, coordinating staffing, resolving issues, and escalating concerns as needed
• Support quality assurance, data entry, and use of lab systems that track inventory, supplies, and media production
• Step in where needed to keep operations moving, including emergency response or backup coverage for specimen receiving

• Your work directly supports disease detection, environmental testing, and public health response across Washington State
• You lead by doing, not from a distance, staying connected to the work and the people doing it
• Every day is different, with a mix of leadership, technical work, and problem solving
• You are trusted to make decisions, spot issues early, and keep the lab running safely and efficiently

You are steady under pressure, detail-driven, and comfortable juggling multiple moving parts. You enjoy training others, setting clear expectations, and jumping in alongside your team when needed. You notice when something is off, speak up early, and help fix it before it becomes a bigger problem. You value safety, accuracy, and teamwork, and you take pride in keeping complex operations organized, compliant, and reliable.

You do not need a spotlight, but you like knowing the system works because you helped make it work.

We value all relevant experience (paid or unpaid) and encourage applicants from all backgrounds. You must meet at least ONE of the options provided and any additional criteria listed. Experience may have been gained through paid or unpaid activities. While “Preferred Experience” is not required, these skills or experiences can help you stand out as a candidate.

Option 1: Associate’s degree or higher in biology, microbiology, chemistry, environmental science, laboratory science, or a closely related field AND one (1) or more years of experience working in a laboratory environment supporting laboratory operations, media preparation, specimen handling, or laboratory logistics

Option 2: One (1) or more years of training in medical technology or education in college with courses in laboratory sciences AND two (2) or more years of experience working in a laboratory environment supporting laboratory operations, media preparation, specimen handling, or laboratory logistics

Option 3: Three (3) or more years of experience working in a laboratory environment supporting laboratory operations, media preparation, specimen handling, or laboratory logistics

And The Following Experience, Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Experience in laboratory operations or laboratory support functions within a regulated or SOP driven environment
• Knowledge of general laboratory safety principles, quality control practices, and documentation requirements
• Proficient in using…