Lab Technician - Coord, Environmental Eng
About The Position
Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Laboratory Technician (LabTech) to join their team at the WestPoint Mill. This role is crucial for ensuring the mill meets its environmental compliance requirements, specifically for the Virginia Pollution Discharge Elimination System (VPDES) permit. The LabTech will be responsible for sampling and conducting analytical tests on effluent, upstream wastewater, and storm water. Additionally, the role involves assisting with tank and groundwater environmental regulatory requirements through a sampling program, and supporting production personnel with quality assurance by performing analytical tests on various materials. The LabTech will also conduct inspections of tanks and waste accumulation areas, report deficiencies, and contribute to mill goals in safety, production, budget, and customer satisfaction.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry and at least one year (or co-op experience) taking samples and running laboratory testing in an industrial setting; OR Associate degree in chemistry or other science field with at least 2 years experience in an industrial setting taking samples and running analytical tests.
- Experience with BOD testing, titrations, and running a discrete analyzer, IC, ICP, or other analytical instruments.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new techniques quickly.
- Strong time management skills and efficiency.
- Detail and results oriented with strong communication skills – must be able to communicate unusual analytical results or inspection findings to various audiences.
- Flexible time schedule – may need to work overtime to meet all deadlines.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision.
- Able and willing to walk comfortably and safely through a large industrial facility, up and down stairs as needed, with all required personal protective equipment (safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, etc.) at any time of the year.
- Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
- Current driver’s license.
- Must drive a company vehicle to access sampling locations.
- Competent using Excel spreadsheets (able to generate reports and graphs) and other basic computer programs such as MS Word, Power Point, and Outlook.
- Work weekend and holiday duty approximately every three weeks.
Responsibilities
- Collecting samples, such as wastewater, storm water, ground water (from wells), raw materials (chips, wood, cooking chemicals), intermediate products (paper cooking liquors, chemical additives), finished product (paper/paperboard, soap, turpentine), and wastes (ash, spilled materials, unknown waste for RCRA characterization).
- Performing analyses using instruments in the on-site laboratory, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, BTU, TKN, NO2+NO3, chloride, sodium, TOX/AOX, etc.
- Running pH meter, DO meter, conductivity meter, UV/vis spectrophotometer, discrete analyzer, IC, ICP, TOX analyzer, and calorimeter, as well as performing titrations and making solutions.
- Preparing samples and shipping papers for sample transport to off-site laboratories.
- Performing inspections of oil tanks and hazardous waste accumulation areas, completing checklists accurately, and informing pertinent personnel of identified issues.
- Entering analytical results into a database or spreadsheet for reporting.
- Assisting with housekeeping in the laboratory.
- Ensuring laboratory instruments have proper preventive maintenance and care.
- Checking that laboratory chemical inventory is adequate.
- Adhering to all mill safety rules, participating in safety programs and meetings.
- Performing weekend and holiday duty approximately every three weeks, including daily sampling, running analytical tests, and performing inspections for approximately seven hours each day.
Benefits
- Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
- An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential
- A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work
- short-term bonus incentive
- health, dental and vision insurance
- flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
- retirement savings plans
- life and disability insurance programs
- paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law
- 15 days of paid vacation
- 11 days of paid holidays
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
