Laboratory Technician

Location: Houston, TX
Pay Rate: $20/hour
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Contract: 6 months initially, with potential for extension and/or conversion to a permanent position
Start Date: ASAP

About the role

Our client is seeking a Lab Technician to join their Wet Lab team in Houston. This role will primarily support routine testing of water and wastewater samples, with a strong focus on Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and CBOD analysis.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine BOD and CBOD testing using approved laboratory methods and procedures.
• Prepare samples, dilution water, nutrient solutions, seed material, standards, reagents, and sample dilutions.
• Measure and accurately record initial and final dissolved oxygen levels.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain laboratory equipment including dissolved oxygen meters, probes, incubators, balances, and pH meters.
• Monitor incubator temperatures and other required environmental conditions.
• Perform additional wet-chemistry testing as assigned, including pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, alkalinity, conductivity, and chlorine residual.
• Complete required quality-control testing, including method blanks, duplicates, seed controls, and other QC samples.
• Review test results for accuracy, completeness, holding-time compliance, and QC acceptance.
• Accurately document testing and results in laboratory worksheets, logbooks, spreadsheets, or LIMS.
• Communicate unusual results, QC failures, equipment issues, sample concerns, or safety issues to the appropriate supervisor.
• Clean glassware and maintain an organized laboratory, sample-storage areas, incubators, and equipment.
• Maintain reagent, chemical, and laboratory-supply inventories.
• Follow established SOPs, analytical methods, chain-of-custody requirements, and document-control procedures.
• Handle chemicals, wastewater, and biological materials in accordance with laboratory safety and waste-disposal procedures.
• Participate in laboratory training, proficiency testing, internal audits, and corrective-action activities as needed.
• Support additional laboratory operations and projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Diploma or degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, Biotechnology, Laboratory Technology, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• Previous wet-laboratory, water-quality, wastewater, or environmental-testing experience preferred.
• Familiarity with BOD testing and water/wastewater analytical methods is a plus.
• Basic mathematical skills, including dilution and concentration calculations.
• Ability to carefully follow detailed written procedures and maintain accurate, traceable documentation.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, email, and data-entry systems.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with a laboratory team.
• Strong commitment to laboratory safety, quality, and accuracy.

Pay

$20/hour

Schedule

Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM