Laboratory Technician

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in chemistry and at least one year (or co-op experience) taking samples and running laboratory testing in and industrial setting; or
• Associate degree in chemistry or other science field with at least 2 years’ experience in an industrial setting taking samples and running analytical tests; or
• Experience and competent in running BOD analyses.
• Fast learner, able to learn new techniques quickly
• Good communication skills – must be able to communicate quickly any unusual analytical results or inspection findings
• Flexible time schedule – may need to work overtime to meet all deadlines
• Works with minimal supervision
• Able and willing to walk comfortably and safely through a large industrial facility, up and down stairs as needed, with all required personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, etc.) at any time of the year
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
• Current driver’s license. Must drive a company vehicle to access sampling locations
• Competent using Excel spreadsheets (able to generate reports and graphs) and other basic computer programs such as MSWord, Power Point, and Outlook.
• Works weekend and holiday duty approximately every three weeks

Responsibilities:

Position Summary

The Laboratory Technician (LabTech) core responsibilities consist of the following:

1. Enable the mill to meet environmental compliance requirements for the Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit by performing the required effluent and upstream wastewater sampling and storm water sampling and analytical tests.

2. Assist with tank and groundwater environmental regulatory requirements by participating in a sampling program of groundwater wells.

3. Assist production personnel with quality assurance investigations and reporting by performing analytical tests on raw materials, intermediate materials, finished product and wastes.

4. Perform inspections of tanks and waste accumulation areas and reporting deficiencies identified; and,

5. Support mill goals in safety performance, production, budget, and customer satisfaction.

Primary Responsibilities

1. Collecting samples, such as the following, in an industrial setting:

a. Wastewater

b. Storm water

c. Ground water (from wells)

d. Raw materials (chips, wood, cooking chemicals

e. Intermediate products (paper cooking liquors, chemical additives.)

f. Finished product (paper/paperboard, soap, turpentine.)

g. Wastes (ash, spilled materials, unknown wastes for RCRA characterization)

2. Performing analyses using instruments in the on-site laboratory. Analyses include biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, etc.

3. Preparing samples and shipping papers for sample transport to off-site laboratories.

4. Performing inspections of oil tanks, hazardous waste accumulation areas, and completing the checklists accurately. Must inform pertinent personnel of issues identified during the inspections.

5. Entering analytical results in a database or spreadsheet for reporting.

6. Assisting with housekeeping in the laboratory.

7. Ensuring that laboratory instruments have the proper preventive maintenance and care.

8. Checking that laboratory chemical inventory is adequate.

9. Adheres to all mill safety rules, participates in safety programs and meetings with the goal of improving safety at the mill.

10. Weekend and holiday duty. LabTech is on call duty approximately every three weeks on the weekends and holidays. While on call duty, lab tech performs daily sampling, runs analytical tests, and performs inspections for approximately seven hours each day.