Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a laboratory setting? Look no further! Wente Family Estates is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team for a seasonal lab position. This is a full time, seasonal, hourly position, starting around August and lasting throughout the end of December. As a SEASONAL LAB TECHNICIAN, you will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will assist with various laboratory tasks, including sample preparation, data collection, and analysis. This is a fantastic opportunity to enhance your skills and knowledge in a real-world laboratory setting. Ideal candidates will have a strong interest in science, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively as a part of a team or independently.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for properly analyzing the following tests including but not limited to: Brix, pH, TA, Acid trials, Nitrogen, Potassium, Turbidity, Phenolics, Sulfur, Alcohol, Malic Acid, Residual Sugar, Volatile Acidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Filterability, Microbial analysis, Microscopy etc. of juices, musts and wines.
• Sample from a multitude of different vessels, and in extreme conditions.
• Responsible for proper sample preparation of juices, musts, and wines for analysis.
• Responsible for accurate data entry in lab data files located in Excel and various online databases.
• Attend all required safety trainings as assigned.
• Follows all laboratory standard operating procedures and safety protocols in and around the production facility.
• Recognizes and resolves discrepancies in analysis.
• Reports quality issues into appropriate quality management systems.
• Responsible for ensuring all lab equipment has passed calibration and daily verification checks before performing analysis.
• Responsible for maintaining equipment in good working condition.
• Responsible for maintaining a clean and tidy working environment.
• Assists in chemical preparation and maintains proper inventory in the lab of all supplies.
• May assist in generating lab reports for winemaking and customer analysis.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers and coordinate work across different departments.
• Participate in performance metric tracking, measuring what matters for the Quality organization.
• Add to a high-functioning team by engaging with coworkers and contribute to a culture of excellence.
• Collaborate with Quality Team members on continuous improvement projects as required.

Qualifications and Skill Sets:

• Must be able to ascend/descend ladders and stairs.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time throughout the workday.
• Ability to operate a computer for long periods of time.
• Must have good communication skills in person and on the phone.
• Person must be interested, diligent, patient, a good communicator, and willing to learn.
• Have a safety-first mentality.
• Detail oriented, strong organization skills required.
• Must be willing to work 6 days/week during harvest.

Environmental Conditions

• Will be subjected to working with a variety of chemicals.
• Will be subjected to working long hours during harvest.
• Will have some work outdoors and subjected to a wide range of weather conditions.

Will be required to go out-of-doors and into various parts of the winery and vineyard subjecting the incumbent to variations in temperature and humidity. Summer season will subject incumbent to high heat exposure.

This position description does not promise or imply that the functions listed are the only duties to be performed or that the position may not change, or be eliminated. Employees are always expected to follow their supervisors’ instructions and to perform the tasks requested by their supervisors.