Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory Manager

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

September 7, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1250-NN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Laboratory Manager, 1250-YN_ADMINPRO - Scientific Laboratory Manager

Business Title:

Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory Manager

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

The Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory Manager serves as a technical supervisor for the Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory in the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Primary duties are to communicate with veterinarians, regulatory agencies, poultry producers, bird owners, food industry clients, and other stakeholders regarding scheduling testing and sample submission. Direct, control, and coordinate sample flow through the laboratory. Direct, control, and coordinate efforts of personnel working in the Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory. Participate in short- and long-term operational and budget planning and be responsible for all laboratory policies, including Quality Assurance/Quality Control. Participate in and assist with the development and maintenance of testing, information, and reporting systems. Supervise laboratory staff members. Provide assistance to and represent the faculty member in charge of the section, as required. The scientific manager is expected to be at the forefront of new procedures, tests, and services needed for WADDL clients in avian health, poultry disease diagnostics, and food safety testing, supporting both diagnostic and research activities. Eligibility for and understanding of BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines and work environments is required.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific discipline and four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience which has included at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.

•  A Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, zoology, or a related science.  

• Physical eligibility required for working in a BSL-2 laboratory environment and compliance with applicable biosafety requirements. For more information, see the following link: https://www.aspr.gov/readiness-response/medical-countermeasures-biodefense/s3/biosafety/biosafety-levels/biosafety-level-requirements. 

• Experience in avian diagnostics, veterinary diagnostic laboratory operations, poultry health, food safety testing, or a closely related field.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience in an Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory, veterinary diagnostic laboratory, or related accredited laboratory environment.

• Familiarity with avian disease diagnostics, poultry health programs, food safety testing, and applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.

• Experience with laboratory Quality Management Systems, AAVLD accreditation standards, SOP development, training programs, audits, and corrective action processes.

• Demonstrated interest in continuous improvement, emerging diagnostic technologies, avian health, food safety, and diagnostic assay development.

• Experience supervising laboratory personnel and managing laboratory operations, budgets, and workflow processes.

• Experience with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual.

• Experience with a laboratory information management system (LIMS)

• Experience with zoonotic pathogens in a laboratory environment.

Additional Information:

This is a full time (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary:

$5,337.47 - $8,175.11 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus -

College of Veterinary Medicine | Washington State University

Area/College:

College of Veterinary Medicine
Department Name:

WA Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL)
Location:

Puyallup

Application Instructions:

Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [email protected].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/