AWI Laboratory Technical Manager

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a Technical Director under the NYS Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).
• Assist the Laboratory Director in overseeing and maintaining the Environmental Research Laboratory Quality Assurance Management System to NYS DOH ELAP standards, including the review of analytical runs and data packages.
• Work proactively to develop, maintain, and improve laboratory methods. Create and update laboratory standard operating procedures as needed. Oversee document control for the laboratory.
• Oversee the day-to-day supervision of Laboratory Analysts with accountability for their training and work quality. Help develop initial and ongoing training programs. Assist with hiring new lab employees as needed.
• Oversee the maintenance of laboratory analyst personnel files and maintenance of the ethics and data integrity program.
• Oversee and support Laboratory Analysts in the maintenance of lab instruments and equipment, as well as lab cleanliness and workspace efficiency.
• Assist with analytical and instrument troubleshooting.
• Assist with the analytical scheduling to ensure sample holding times are met.
• Initiate corrective action and participate in root cause analysis.
• Conduct laboratory analysis.
• Assist in maintenance of the laboratory information management system (LIMS). Ensure data results are accurate and investigate irregularities. Prepare data for final review. Guarantee analysis and reporting is completed in a timely manner.
• Support annual quality assurance audits, oversight of staff demonstration of capability, oversight of lab proficiency testing, and the laboratory corrective action system.
• Contribute data for dissemination through annual reports, research publications, and presentations.
• Contribute expertise to new project development.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Sciences, chemistry, physical or biological sciences, or engineering, or a related field.
• At least 24 college semester credit hours of chemistry coursework.
• At least three years of work experience in environmental analysis in a NELAC/ELAP certified lab. A Master of Science in the field above can be substituted for one year of experience.
• Understanding of laboratory QA/QC practices and method development.
• Experience with the following analysis: Specific conductance, pH, phosphorus, nitrate, ammonia, alkalinity, anions, color, CDOM, chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, ICP metals analysis, and microcystins.
• Understanding of various types of laboratory instrumentation. Ability to calibrate and operate lab instruments including ICP-OES, FIA, IC, TOC/N, pH/Cond.
• Experience training and supervising staff.
• Strong communication skills.
• Knowledge of water sampling techniques and equipment.
• Proven ability to multitask.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.

Preferred

• Familiarity with the geography of the Adirondack region.
• Drivers license and driving record acceptable to the Colleges insurance carrier.

Physical Requirements

• Environmental Conditions?
• Work is consistently performed in an indoor laboratory setting with normal temperature ranges for the season.
• Traditional noise of a busy office setting can be expected.
• Working spaces may be crowded based on traffic and space configuration.
• Lifting and Carrying
• Ability to regularly lift up to 10 lbs.
• Frequent lifting and carrying of light to moderate weight items (trays of water sample bottles, glassware, laptop, reagent bottles).
• Mobility
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel to pick up items as necessary.
• Climbing Staircases within buildings and around campus.
• Ability to spend extended amounts of time on your feet.
• Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination
• Manual dexterity for handling precise laboratory equipment.
• Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.
• Clear and legible penmanship.
• Ability to reach overhead or below knee level to perform work duties.
• Sensory Requirements
• Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses as necessary.
• Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary.