Environmental & Quality Technician

Primary Job Requirements

• Use good safety judgment, attend safety meetings, and follow all established safety rules.
• Collect samples and perform laboratory testing for process control, product quality, wastewater treatment, and environmental compliance monitoring.
• Conduct analytical testing and evaluations using approved laboratory procedures, methods, and quality standards.
• Record, communicate, and distribute test results to appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Issue hot work, confined space, and other safety permits as required and in accordance with mill procedures.
• Ensure that necessary lab supplies are stocked and available.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and perform routine calibrations, standardizations, and troubleshooting as required.
• Review and issue product Certificates of Analysis (COA).
• Send paper samples to potential customers as requested.
• Clock in the semi-annual calibration of the paper test lab equipment.

Competencies and Accountabilities

• Ensure required environmental, process, and quality sampling and analyses are completed in accordance with Hood Container procedures and applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Competency is required in all analytical methods.
• Ensure sampling and analytical records are updated, neat, and accurate.
• Prepare for occasional audits and/or inspections.
• Maintain environmental and laboratory records in compliance with regulatory retention requirements.
• Monitor and verify proper operation of wastewater treatment processes, sampling equipment, monitoring devices, and environmental control systems.
• Participate in weekend call duty coverage as determined by the Environmental Manager.
• Provide "early warning" to stakeholders of potential environmental issues.
• Afford assistance with investigations, corrective actions, and root cause analyses related to environmental, process, or product quality issues.
• Promote operating in an environmentally responsible manner.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing and laboratory environment.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and access sampling locations throughout the facility.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to collect samples from process areas, wastewater treatment systems, and environmental monitoring locations.
• Ability to distinguish colors when performing laboratory testing and analysis.

PREFERENCES

• Associate degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Engineering Technology, or related scientific discipline preferred.
• Experience using statistical methods and data analysis techniques to evaluate product quality and process performance.
• Experience working in a pulp and paper manufacturing.
• Experience in laboratory testing at a manufacturing facility.
• Experience with wastewater treatment operations, environmental sampling, laboratory analysis, or quality systems preferred.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• Direct Reporting: To: Environmental Manager
• Manager Once Removed: Technical Manager
• Direct Reports: None
• Dotted Line Relationships: To: Other Department Managers, Supervisors, and Teams (as required)