LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (Inorganic Sample Preparation)

Montech Inc. is currently seeking a Laboratory Technician (i.e., Lab Tech) to join its team in support the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory in Lakewood, CO.

The nature of the work focuses on inorganic sample preparation in the metals/nutrients lab. Excellent attention to detail, effective written and verbal communication skills, the ability to multi-task, be flexible with tasks and schedules, and the ability to work independently in a team environment a must.

Functional Responsibilities
The Lab Tech will prepare and analyze trace level environmental samples in air, water, sediment, and tissue to determine their composition, quality, purity and other characteristics in accordance with the current and applicable Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) per the method being performed, following all Safety, Hazardous Waste, NELAC, NWQL, USGS, DOI policies, procedures, requirements, and guidelines. The Lab Tech will possess strong mathematical skills such as Algebra and will have experience with automated laboratory systems, and be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite. Functional responsibilities include:

• Operate analytical instruments to test substances to determine their composition, quality, purity and other characteristics IAW the method SOP
• Solve equipment and sample preparation problems
• Perform laboratory preparation procedures per NWQL Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines
• Prepare samples in accordance with method SOPs for instrumental analysis
• Process samples within the holding times specified in the Quality Management Systems Document (QMSD) and the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) guidance document
• Provide monthly Quality Control charts based on the analyses completed during the month IAW method SOP
• Identify and take appropriate action for Quality Control related problems; notify the appropriate Technical COR if it is above user level
• Troubleshoot and maintain assigned instrumentation; notify appropriate Technical COR if instrument problems causes work interruption or create potential quality impacts
• Perform special projects based on methods that are specially created for a customer or rarely used methods of analysis IAW SOP
• Document project activities in writing
• Perform review and updates to Method Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) upon any method modification and/or on a yearly basis
• Provide written reports per SOPs
• Provide appropriate documentation in lab notebook by following appropriate SOP guidelines and established policy
• Provide written reports per SOPs
• Adhere to all safety, health, and environment processes and procedures

Minimum/General Experience
The minimal education requirement for the Lab Tech is a Bachelor's Degree (in Science, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or related field). Additionally, candidates should possess relevant on the job experience related to the position, to include: sample preparation; analysis and testing of substances to determine their composition, quality, purity and other characteristics; following SOPs and creating written reports/documentation per SOPs; ensures tracking and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC); troubleshooting to solve equipment and sample preparation problems; and experience with LIMS (or equivalent).

Seeking previous instrumentation experience in inorganics:

• IC / ICP
• Environmental and production line experience
• Inorganic sample preparation
• Segmented Flow Analysis (SFA); Continuous Flow Analyzer (CFA); Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
• Work with water / complex water (high saline) / total nitrogen / total phosphorus

Hours of Operation for Position
Core hours are Monday - Friday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM, except U.S. National Federal Holidays. Standard work week: eight (8) hours per day, 40 hours per week, with flexibility to set their 8 hour schedule within the bounds of 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM, as long as the core hours are met and 8 hours are performed daily.

Place of Performance
National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) located at the Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO.

Personnel on Contract
The Lab Tech is a member of the Montech Inc. contract. Montech will ensure all personnel possess the necessary education, training, qualifications and experience to accomplish the requirements identified in this Performance Work Statement (PWS). Training in support of this position will include:

• The NELAC Institute (TNI):The Physical Science Lab Technician must have up-to-date training including current Demonstration of Capability (DOC) documentation in personal file.
• Ethics: The Physical Science Lab Technician will be required to attend initial and annual ethics training that typically is administered via web-based training courses or special visiting speakers. Ethics training includes scientific and non-scientific aspects associated with laboratory practices.
• Government Training: The Physical Science Lab Technician is required to complete Government Training which could occur on an annual basis. Training involves IT Security and other mandatory training as deemed necessary by the Department of Interior, USGS, and must be completed within the designated time frames.
• Privacy Act of 1974:Contractor employees will be required to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) and the agency rules and regulations issued under the Act. The Physical Science Lab Technician will be trained on the Act and must have full understanding of the requirements.
• Conservation of Utilities and Sustainability Practices: Must promote energy and water efficiency, advance the use of renewable energy products, and help foster markets for emerging technologies.
• Safety Management: In order for the NWQL to ensure a safe working environment, Safety Training Classes are mandatory. The NWQL is a chemical operation which deals with hazardous chemicals. The Buddy System is a system within the NWQL for organizing employees into work areas in such a manner that each employee can be monitored, visually or audibly by at least one other employee in the work area. The purpose of the Buddy System is to provide rapid assistance in the event of an emergency such as a chemical spill. The Buddy System will be enforced for all personnel working in a chemical environment such as a laboratory area. This is a safety requirement that is made of all personnel at the NWQL regardless whether or not they are students, techs, chemists, contractors, or volunteers. The NWQL is required to provide sufficient safety coverage while performing chemical operations or handling of chemicals.
• Health Examinations: Personnel working in laboratory areas where hazardous materials are handled are required to have baseline, periodic and termination health examinations. The health examinations are an integral part of the Medical Surveillance Program established by the NWQL to ensure a safe working environment and to provide medical data and information to medical and need-to-know agencies if an accident occurs. The health examinations also serve as a baseline summary of an individual’s health. This baseline serves to address any future issues that could arise given the chemical environment of the employment. Health examinations required by the Medical Surveillance Program must be completed within 30 days after the Contractor starts their performance at the NWQL as well as every two (2) years of employment at the NWQL and upon departure.

Security
Candidates must be a US Citizen, complete a required government background investigation, to include fingerprinting and issuance of PIV/ID card, and successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Professionalism, Responsiveness, and Quality
The Lab Tech must demonstrate the following abilities: Sound judgment, foresight, and problem solving skills, possess excellent oral and written communications, and customer service skills, able to adapt to fast-paced work/office environment with accuracy under pressure, demonstrated competency managing schedules, documentation, and automated systems, demonstrate leadership, excellent research and data gathering skills and ability to interpret/analyze complex information, ability to work independently within the bounds and guidelines of the contract requirements and client, knowledge of and experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to work and communicate with diverse group of customers and clients within and outside the Federal Government.

The Lab Tech must present a professional demeanor at all times while on site. The Lab Tech shall treat all persons with courtesy and respect; striving to earn positive feedback of customers.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Montech Inc. is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity (EEO) in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. The Company prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age (40 and over), race, color, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, marital status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local laws.

This job description is not all inclusive of the tasks that may be assigned to the Lab Tech.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $25.65 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• LIMS - Laboratory information management systems: 2 years (Preferred)
• Laboratory experience (non-academic): 2 years (Preferred)
• HPLC: 2 years (Preferred)
• Inorganic Sample Preparation: 2 years (Required)
• Troubleshooting (Sample & Instrumentation): 2 years (Required)
• IC / ICP: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person