Lab Technician

Job Summary:

Responsible for implementing the quality control program for the ethanol plant to ensure maximum production quantity and quality, while supporting policies, goals, and objectives of the company.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement the fermentation process. Carry out trials/projects that improve efficiency and/or reduce operating costs.
• Operate, maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment, lab data, and plant processes to ensure reported data is correct.
• Assists Lab and Fermentation Manager with compliance with city, county, state, and federal regulations.
• Initiate and implement the established plant Quality Control plan, based on best practice in the ethanol industry, to ensure that products conform to established customer, company, and industry quality standards. 
• Maintain accurate records on a daily, weekly, and/or monthly basis of key QC variables. 
• Participate in Lab and Plant safety program.
• Monitor use and inventories of processed chemicals and all other supplies. Initiate reordering when necessary. 
• Exhibit a professional manner in dealing with departments, working to maintain constructive working relationships. Communicate directly with other operations personnel to ensure effective participation by the process operators in the implementation of QC policies and procedures.
• Provides a “Customer Service” attitude when interacting with internal and external customers while accomplishing work, production, and achieving quality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Education and Experience:

• Education: High School or Equivalent.  
• BA/BS in chemical engineering, business administration, or a 4-year degree in related discipline preferred.
• Basic knowledge of the ethanol production process and laboratory testing methodology (GC/HPLC/IC) preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong technical knowledge of laboratory equipment, complex testing procedures, and science supporting analysis.
• Strong organizational, time management, problem solving and analytical skills.
• Logical and critical thinking skills
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to identify complex problems, review data to determine root cause, evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and management. 
• Ability to troubleshoot laboratory equipment and resolve process issues.
• Ability to maintain good attendance habits. 
• Be aware of all relevant SOPs as per Company policy as they are related to the position covered by this Job Description.
• Comply with the company’s safety, quality, and environmental policies at all times.
• Must be 18 years of age.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Frequently required to walk, stand, sit.
• Occasionally required to climb to levels of 125 feet or more, confined and harnessed. Use of stairs and ladders may be required.
• Occasionally lift and/or move 50 pounds or more.
• Operate in an office and production environment. Production environment could include frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme heat or cold; risk of electrical shock and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the production environment is usually very loud.