Assistant Lab Manager

Shift Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Job Summary:

The Assistant Laboratory Manager oversees all Environmental Laboratory operations to ensure employee safety, regulatory compliance, accurate analysis, and fully operational laboratory equipment. This role supervises day-to-day laboratory activities, manages staff, and supports both field and laboratory testing processes critical to production and environmental compliance. The Assistant Laboratory Manager plays a key role in maintaining efficiency, quality control, and collaboration across departments, ensuring timely and accurate analytical results that support all core company operations. This position requires a balance of laboratory management, technical expertise, and fieldwork in a heavy industrial environment.

Essential Job Duties / Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support laboratory personnel, ensuring proper training, adherence to safety standards, and high-quality performance.
• Lead daily laboratory operations, including workflow optimization, staff scheduling, and resource allocation.
• Perform and oversee environmental sampling and analysis, including air (personnel and high-volume), groundwater, and wastewater testing.
• Conduct laboratory procedures such as digestion and analytical testing using approved methodologies.
• Operate and oversee advanced instrumentation including Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), Mercury Hydride, and Graphite Furnace systems.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including proper handling of hazardous materials and adherence to laboratory protocols.
• Manage testing and analysis for wastewater treatment systems, including SLC and KWR sampling points and compliance requirements.
• Monitor and maintain SO₂ room instrumentation and ensure adherence to applicable regulations. Conduct specialized testing including TCLP (slag and filter cake), 5-Day BOD studies, and support research and development initiatives.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and inventory to ensure uninterrupted operations.
• Support scrubber and desulfurization processes by analyzing key parameters such as sieve, chlorides, specific gravity, pH, TSS, and loss on ignition.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of laboratory data to support production and environmental compliance.
• Take corrective action on safety, quality, or operational issues when necessary. Promote a safe, organized, and collaborative laboratory environment.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support operational and business needs.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong knowledge of laboratory operations, environmental testing, and analytical techniques.
• Understanding of safety regulations, environmental compliance standards, and hazardous material handling.
• Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation and analytical methods (AAS, ICP, etc.).
• Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and data analysis tools.
• Strong leadership and team management skills in a technical environment.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, industrial setting.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Work performed in both laboratory and industrial plant environments with exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, and varying temperatures.
• Combination of fieldwork and laboratory analysis required.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and handling of laboratory equipment and samples.
• May require lifting, climbing, or accessing various plant and sampling locations.
• Required to wear appropriate PPE, including respirators, gloves, safety glasses, and protective clothing.
• Must comply with all safety, hygiene, and contamination control procedures.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related scientific discipline required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in a laboratory setting.
• 1–2 years of supervisory or leadership experience preferred.
• Must pass Homeland Security background check and pre-employment drug screening.
• Must pass general health, safety, and environmental pre-employment exams.
• Must have two valid forms of identification.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced experience with environmental testing and analytical instrumentation. Experience in industrial or manufacturing laboratory environments.
• Experience supporting wastewater treatment and environmental compliance programs.
• Background in research and development or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong mechanical and technical aptitude related to laboratory equipment.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

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

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• supervisory or leadership: 1 year (Required)

Work Location: In person