Professional Career Opportunities - Job Title Details

Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1, G-13

Occupation Group

Natural and Physical Sciences

Salary Information

Starting Salary

$46,529

Career Ladder Information

Salary Information for Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1
Title Grade Hiring Rate/yr Job Rate/yr
Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 1 13 $49,363 $63,169
Food Laboratory Specialist Trainee 2 14 $52,198 $66,634
Food Laboratory Specialist 1 18 $65,001 $82,656

All salary grades for trainees titles are non-statutory (NS) equated to the salary grade identified. These grade equations apply to the starting salaries in their respective salary schedule for the traineeship levels.

Job Description

Food Laboratory Specialists use knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences to conduct analytical testing in support of food safety, food security, agricultural interests, and consumer interests. Employees will use a variety of laboratory techniques to study, test, and analyze specific health hazards or accuracy of labeling

Trainees will receive a combination of structured training, on-the-job training, and/or practical job performance to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to function at the full performance level.

Agencies with this Title

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet the requirements below to qualify for this title.

A bachelor's or higher degree in analytical chemistry, animal physiology, animal science, aquatics and fisheries science, applied biology, applied nutrition and food technology, biochemistry, biology, biotechnology, chemistry, computational biology, dairy food technology, dairy production, environmental biology, environmental science, food science, genetics, global and public health sciences, human biology, health and society, inorganic chemistry, microbiology, molecular and cell biology, molecular biology, nutritional sciences, organic chemistry, plant biology, plant physiology, or plant sciences.

Advanced Placement

If chosen, you may, at the agency's discretion, be appointed to a higher level. You must inform the agency of any additional qualifications at your interview.

View Additional Qualifications

For Trainee 2 you must also have one year of professional experience working in a government, private or academic laboratory performing biological or chemical analyses.

For the Full Performance Level you must also have two years of professional experience working in a government, private or academic laboratory performing biological or chemical analyses.

How to Apply

The November 2022 PCO Examination is closed, applications are no longer being accepted