Laboratory Technician I

Job description

Company Description

About Veolia North America 

A subsidiary of Veolia Group, Veolia North America (VNA) offers a full spectrum of water, waste and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. VNA helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., Veolia North America has approximately 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across the continent. Please visit our website  www.veolianorthamerica.com 

Job Description

BENEFITS 

Veolia's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.  Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.   

Position Purpose:  
The Laboratory Technician performs sample collection, preparation, extraction, and analysis according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and permitting requirements while achieving integrity of the laboratory’s results and target KPIs. KPIs include safety, productivity, and quality of work performed. The incumbent maintains workspace, equipment, instrumentation, and incoming/outgoing sample inventory. The Incumbent develops and enhances effective troubleshooting skills and completes regular instrument maintenance and calibration procedures to enhance equipment reliability, efficiency, and accuracy. The Laboratory Technician is expected to become more efficient in the performance of testing and analysis as they progress within the laboratory which maintains a broad scope of analytical capabilities. As requested, performs method development and validation and trains new team members. This position operates within a COR, ISO 17025 certified, and OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 conforming plant environment and is expected to comply with all regulatory requirements. The facility operates on a 24/7 basis.

Primary Duties/responsibilities: 
The duties of the Laboratory Technician are as follows, but not limited to: 

·  Understands and promotes the Company’s, the Division’s, the Plant’s, and the Department’s mission statement, values, and strategic goals.
·  Proactively promotes through example a safe work ethic, attitude, and workplace. Complies with all health and safety policies, standards, and procedures to achieve a safe work environment and safety for all staff and visitors as well as the Company’s, Client’s and Regulatory Agencies safe work objectives and requirements.
·  Maintains effective working relationships and communications with peers, management, and other Company departments and staff. Effectively resolves any conflicts in a timely and respectful manner to achieve positive and healthy working relationships and workplace environment.
·  Promotes a quality-first work ethic and attitude to provide a service of the highest standard achievable.
·  Maintains confidentiality to comply with all regulatory requirements and Company Privacy and Confidentiality policies and procedures.
·  Performs Safety Sensitive duties and responsibilities.
·  Utilizes data processing applications to manipulate results in preparation for report generation and entry to the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
·  Logs in samples and prepares them for analysis.
·  Prioritizes sample analysis requirements.
·  Prepares Standards and Reagents.
·  Completes analysis of samples by designated turn-around time.
·  Maintains operability of laboratory instruments. Conducts regular preventative maintenance procedures and troubleshoots as required to maintain reliability and performance of instruments and equipment. Contacts services representatives for instrument repair.
·  Maintains adequate inventory of standards, reagents, glassware, and consumable supplies in the work area for use. Orders supplies for the Lab.
·  Regularly completes general housekeeping duties of their workspace including cleaning of counters and floors to maintain a safe and tidy workplace.
·  Collaboratively works with other team members so all members achieve KPIs. Assists in other sections of Laboratory as assigned.
·  Provides the chemical processing department with technical support.
·  Reviews and/or further develops and validates methods.
·  Trains new team members in the performance of test methods where qualified and as assigned.
·  Participates in internal audits, as auditee or auditor.
·  Completes weekly reviews of the TAT report.
·  Participates in safety and continuous improvement initiatives. 
·  Adheres to all internal quality controls.
·  Reports to the Laboratory Supervisor or Laboratory Lead any deviation of policy or procedure.
·  Completes general duties including, but not limited to:
·  Free and Total Chlorine analysis by colorimeter.
·  Sampling and subletting of water sample for coliform testing.
·  Dissolved Iron and Manganese analysis.
·  Perform daily temperature and balance checks.
·  PHCM Screen Analysis.
·  Sampling Raw Effluent from RBC.
·  Compatibility. 
·  Completes Sample Management duties including but not limited to:
·  Log in samples when they arrive.
·  Group FFINCN samples for testing by WPS number.
·  Take pH of liquid FFINCN samples.
·  Assist wet, metals prep and organic prep sections as required.
·  Perform any sample preparation required when samples are received.
·  Archive, retrieve and dispose of completed samples.
·  Completes Wet Chemistry duties as assigned including, but not limited to:
·  PH analysis by pH meter and pH paper.
·  Electrical Conductivity analysis by EC meter.
·  Total Dissolved Solids analysis.
·  Total Suspended Solids analysis.
·  Heat Value analysis by calorimeter.
·  Flash Point analysis.
·  Phys/Chem Screen performance.
·  Specific Gravity analysis by syringe or hydrometer.
·  Ignitability analysis.
·  Anion analysis by IC.
·  Moisture Content analysis.
·  Completes Metals Preparation duties as assigned including, but not limited to:
·  Metals Digestion procedure.
·  Leachable Metals by TCLP extraction.
·  Metals Instrumentation Duties.
·  Analysis of TCLP extracts by ICP.
·  Analysis of digests for Total Metals + Heavy Metals by ICP.
·  TOC Analysis. 28. Completes Organic Preparation and Instrumentation duties as assigned including, but not limited to:
·  Analysis of all sample extracts for PCB content.
·  Extraction and regeneration of PUF samples for PCB.
·  Interpretation of chromatograms and reporting of PCB results.
·  Checking/recording of daily calibration checks for each GC.
·  Standard preparation for GC calibration checks and standards.
·  Prepare sample extracts for analysis by waste dilution, low water, high water, and sonication methods.
·  Proper cleaning of glassware and equipment, including baking to remove organic residues.
·  Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand Analysis.
·  Chemical Oxygen Demand Analysis.
·  Supports other initiatives of the Plant to promote a healthy and positive work environment and enhance employee morale and engagement.
·  Completes other duties as assigned.

Work Environment: 

Equipment and Tools Used:

·  Standard office equipment.
·  Regular, and occasionally prolonged, use of computer.
·  Laboratory instrumentation
·  Tools for maintenance of instrumentation and equipment.

Physical or mental demands and activities:

·  Incumbent performs Safety Sensitive duties or responsibilities.
·  Position has been classified as a Security Sensitive position in accordance with company policy.
·  Exposed to low-level risk of Blood borne Pathogens while performing duties.
·  Continually managing priorities to meet operational objectives.
·  Achieving expected performance standards while maintaining an efficient and safe working environment.
·  High volume workload requiring both sound technical knowledge and ability to provide exceptional customer service.

Challenging conditions normally associated with job (e.g. physical hazards, rotating shifts, shop conditions, excessive travel as an integral part of the duties performed, etc.) It is assumed that all reasonable and legal Occupational Health & Safety practices are in place and are adhered to. In addition, PPE is to be worn as per company standards and procedures. 

·  Works directly in the Laboratory and makes occasional trips into the plant where may be required to climb ladders, work at heights or in confined spaces, and be exposed to various industrial hazards such as but not limited to noise, fumes, and chemicals and hazardous waste.
·  Exposed to PCBs, Compressed/flammable gas, mobile equipment, moving equipment, rotating equipment and electrical hazards.
·  Exposed to Hot and Cold working environments.
·  Required to wear respirator and/or breathing apparatus while in designated areas of the laboratory and/or plant.
·  Despite the relatively low risk of exposure to potential waste contaminants, participation in the SHTC employee health monitoring program is required.
·  Daily exposure to waste occurs during sample preparation and analysis.
·  Often requires long duration standing.
·  Working with chemicals and reagents daily as per analysis.
·  Some periodic heavy lifting may be required during the movement of instruments, cases of reagents, and gas cylinders.

Qualifications

Education / Experience / Background: 

·  Diploma in Environmental, Biological or Chemical Technology or a combination of demonstrated similar work experience, aptitude, and specific skills training.
·  No related experience is required however preference is for 1 to 2 years’ related experience in operating and maintaining laboratory analytical instruments.
·  Previous experience within an industrial plant environment is a definite asset.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities: 

·  Effective customer service attitude and commitment to providing exceptional customer service and quality results.
·  Effective interpersonal and conflict management skills to facilitate working effectively with wide range and number of people, including peers and manager, employees, and other departments, divisions, and management within all levels of the organization.
·  Effective negotiation, persuasion, and listening skills to facilitate successful resolution of employee and management concerns and requests.
·  Effective verbal and written communication skills to facilitate and promote open discussions and understanding.
·  Effective time management, decision-making, and planning and organizing skills.
·  Attentiveness to details and ability to manage a diverse workload within a fast-paced environment with changing multiple priorities and frequent interruptions.
·  Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well as independently with minimal supervision.
·  Proven organizational and creative-problem solving skills.
·  General laboratory safety practices and techniques (i.e.: glassware cleaning/usage, chemical usage/storage).
·  Good housekeeping skills.
·  Computer competency in MS Office applications, LIMS and Windows operating environments.
·  Ability to learn new analytical techniques.
·  Theoretical and practical understanding of analytical chemistry. Ability to apply knowledge in the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of analytical equipment.
·  Excellent and accurate record keeping.
·  Understanding of all preparatory and analytical techniques used in applicable section.
·  Knowledge of the QA/QC requirements for analysis/reporting of pertinent tests.
·  Knowledge of written procedure content and format requirements.
·  Ability to take instructions for the performance of non-routine analysis.
·  Ability to perform all analyses in accordance with pertinently applicable policies as per the Laboratory Quality Manual.
·  Progression may require an understanding of the plant operating approval as it pertains to laboratory and chemical processing operations, and fluency in process limitations and disposal limits of the landfills and deep disposal well.
·  Ability to maintain confidentiality to comply with all regulatory requirements and Company Privacy and Confidentiality policies and procedures.
·  Ability to complete all conditions of employment including criminal record check, negative alcohol and drug test, pre-employment medical, and background check.

Required Certification / Licenses / Training: 

·  In-house training on the quality systems, quality regulations, and safe work practices (including WHMIS, First Aid, fire extinguisher use, PPE, WHMIS, and Safety Awareness).
·  In-house training on Corporate policies.
·  Respectful Workplace Training.
·  Further laboratory training courses are occasionally available to aid in developing technical instrumentation depth of knowledge.
·  During progression other courses may be required, such as work permitting, transportation of dangerous goods, supervisory skill development, ISO 17025 Foundation Training Course and ISO 17025 Internal Auditor Course.

Additional Information

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. 

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.