Inorganics Technical Specialist

ALS • Kelso, WA

20h • Onsite

About The Position

The Inorganics Technical Specialist is a site-based technical leader providing hands-on support to local and regional laboratories for inorganic analytical methods and instrumentation. This role serves as a technical authority within the region, ensuring consistent method performance, regulatory compliance, and analytical quality while supporting laboratory operations and staff development. The Specialist coordinates and executes assigned technical initiatives, supports method improvements and validations, delivers training and troubleshooting support, and contributes technical feedback and improvement ideas to ALS USA’s broader technical organization. When technical project demand is low, this role actively supports laboratory production through direct analytical work and data review, ensuring continuous value and workload balance.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of inorganic analytical chemistry and laboratory best practices
• Strong expertise with inorganic instruments and techniques (ICP-MS, ICP-OES, IC, wet chemistry, spectrophotometry)
• In-depth understanding of EPA and Standard Methods for inorganic analyses
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex analytical and instrument issues
• Strong analytical judgment, documentation skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to balance technical leadership with hands-on production support
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline
• Minimum of six (6) to eight (8) years of experience in inorganic analysis within an environmental or regulated laboratory
• Demonstrated experience with method ownership, technical troubleshooting, data review, and compliance support

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting multiple laboratories or regional operations
• Experience leading method validation, optimization, or implementation efforts
• Familiarity with TNI/NELAC, DoD ELAP, or other regulated laboratory programs
• Experience delivering technical training or mentoring analytical staff
• Experience performing both technical leadership and routine analytical production work

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary technical authority for inorganic analyses at the site and within assigned regional laboratories
• Provide day-to-day technical support to laboratory management, supervisors, and analysts
• Act as an escalation point for complex inorganic analytical, method, or instrument issues
• Support implementation of ALS technical and quality initiatives within the region
• Proactively identify technical gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities and communicate recommendations
• Own assigned inorganic analytical methods and instrumentation at the site and regional level
• Ensure methods are implemented, maintained, and executed in accordance with EPA, Standard Methods, and client requirements
• Lead method validation, verification, and performance checks for new or modified methods
• Monitor method and instrument performance metrics, addressing trends or recurring issues
• Maintain and update SOPs, technical guidance, and method documentation
• Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on data quality, efficiency, and robustness
• Evaluate instrument configurations, consumables, reagents, and workflows to optimize performance
• Support troubleshooting of ICP-MS, ICP-OES, IC, discrete analyzers, spectrophotometers, and wet chemistry methods
• Assist laboratories with method recoveries, detection limits, interferences, and QC performance challenges
• Perform inorganic analyses during periods without active technical projects to support laboratory throughput and turnaround times
• Assist with data review, QC evaluation, and technical validation of inorganic data packages as needed
• Provide advanced analytical judgment for complex results, QC failures, and technical justifications
• Support production priorities while maintaining full compliance with quality system and accreditation requirements
• Deliver technical training for analysts and supervisors on inorganic methods, instrumentation, and QA/QC requirements
• Support onboarding and technical development of new laboratory staff
• Provide coaching and knowledge transfer through hands-on demonstrations and written guidance
• Promote consistent technical practices and analytical rigor across regional laboratories
• Ensure inorganic methods and laboratories remain compliant with applicable accreditation and regulatory requirements (e.g., TNI/NELAC, state, client programs)
• Support internal audits, external assessments, and accreditation inspections related to inorganic testing
• Assist with technical root cause analysis and corrective actions for audit findings or data issues
• Partner with QA and laboratory leadership to uphold data integrity and quality system expectations
• Work closely with site Laboratory Operations, QA, and regional leadership
• Communicate technical risks, status updates, and improvement actions clearly and effectively
• Document technical decisions, deviations, and corrective actions in a clear and defensible manner
• Foster a collaborative, quality-focused technical culture within the region

Benefits

• Supportive environment that values safety, flexibility, and professional fulfillment
• Career development opportunities across our global organization
• Continuous learning investment
• Recognition and rewards for excellence

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees