Summary: The laboratory assistant is responsible for supporting the laboratory in a variety of different ways including- wine sampling, tasting room maintenance, lab clean up and special projects as requested by the winemaking staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Samples barrels and tanks at all facilities
2. Under close supervision, maintains lab equipment according to the MDW Lab Procedures Notebook and supplemental equipment manuals
3. In the presence of a Laboratory Technician and or Lab Supervisor, prepares analytical reagents as necessary
4. Under close supervision, assists in hands-on winemaking for the Grower Barrel Program
5. Performs Tank Health/Skim and Spritz checks for visual observations of wine health
6. Assists Laboratory Technicians with monitoring inventory depletion of reagents and consumable goods
7. Lab/Tasting room upkeep: Takes out trash and recycling when needed, maintains a clean tasting room by cycling through glassware and bottles when necessary.
8. Shipping room/Bulk Wine sample pickup: Retrieves packages of bulk wine, laboratory supplies, winemaker packages, etc. from the shipping room
9. Prepares bulk wine samples for shipment to brokers/direct requests
10. Learns and executes Juice analysis
11. Process and test vineyard grape samples for ripeness
12. Learn and Follow standard operating and safety procedures.
13. Assist in the setup of tastings and trials
14. Learns data management and organization

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

High School diploma or GED required; some college science classes preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak persuasively before groups, customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems, deals with a variety of variables, and manages situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills and Software:

Outlook: Set up calendar. Search emails. Create folders, share with others. Create appointments.

Excel: Create worksheets/work books and templates.

Manipulate date, sort and filter. Thoroughly understand functions

Format and create charts, tables and graphs.

Word-Create, edit, save, and track changes

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and proof of current auto insurance. Enroll in company’s DMV pull notice program.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The inability to cope with a stressful work environment does not constitute a protected disability.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Potential environmental work conditions include working in heat, rain, cold/freezing weather, dark areas, confined spaces and heights.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None