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Laboratory Assistant 1

Employer: State of Washington

Salary: $20.03 - $26.63 Hourly

Location: Yakima County – Yakima, WA

Job Type: Full Time - Non-Permanent

Job Number: 2026-05441

Department: Dept. of Agriculture

Division: Plant Protection - Chemical and Hop Lab

Opening Date: 07/10/2026

Closing Date: Continuous

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Plant Protection Division supports the agriculture industry and protects the environment and consumers by protecting agriculture and the environment from insect, weed, and pathogen pests, supports the pollinator and soil health, and testing for proper weights and measures and pesticide use.

The Chemical and Hop Laboratory supports several agency programs by analyzing samples taken in investigations of alleged pesticide misuse and analyzing feed and fertilizer samples. Monitors for pesticide residues in food and dairy products. Carries out physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop to ensure orderly international and domestic marketing.

The 2026 Hop Season starts mid August and typically continues through the middle of October depending on crop. Position and Salary Information The Hop Chemistry Lab Assistant contributes to the mission of the program by preparing hop samples for brewing value, moisture, and oil content analyses during the hop harvest (typically late August to early November).

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent Laboratory Assistant 1 position within the Plant Protection Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington. This position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 38, Step A $20.03 - Step L $25.96 hourly.

Some of the various responsibilities within this role include:

• Receive/collect samples from Hop Inspection Lab.
• Grind hop samples to prepare them for analysis.
• Assist in labeling, weighing, extracting, and storing of hop samples.

Clean and store hop lab glassware as well as other laboratory equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Assist in the general upkeep and cleanliness of hop laboratory, including but not limited to surfaces (e.g. dusting of counters, tops of freezers, etc.), floors (e.g. sweep/vacuum excess debris), cabinets, and storage areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Completion of Chemistry or Biology class or Equivalent Education/Experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School graduation or equivalent.
• Experience performing laboratory or technical tasks.
• Experience with agricultural or plant-based samples.
• Laboratory safety and compliance.

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.