Laboratory Analyst

Paul Smith's College•Paul Smiths, NY

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Laboratory Analyst is a mid-level position in the Adirondack Watershed Institute (AWI), a program of Paul Smith’s College. The role serves as an analyst in AWI’s Environmental Research Laboratory and supports general laboratory operations while adhering to requirements of the New York State Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). The laboratory holds ELAP certification. The analyst receives, prepares, processes, and analyzes environmental samples; maintains traceable records and quality-control documentation; supports method performance and development; and helps maintain the laboratory’s quality assurance system. The position also maintains instruments, supplies, and a safe and orderly workspace, and assists with staff training, audits, proficiency testing, project development, and reporting and delivery of data to clients.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, or a related field.
Two years of experience conducting laboratory analysis on environmental water samples.
Familiarity with analytical methods and wet-chemistry techniques, for example for nutrients, anions, cations, carbon, pH, conductivity, and alkalinity.
Ability to independently calibrate and operate laboratory instruments: ICP-OES, FIA, IC, TOC/N, and pH/Cond.
Ability to work autonomously and proactively.
Strong computer and data-entry skills, especially with spreadsheets, databases, and instrumentation software.
High level of attention to detail.
Effective problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work with diverse individuals and groups to help form a safe and inclusive campus community.

Nice To Haves

One year serving as a laboratory analyst in an ELAP/NELAC-certified laboratory.
Familiarity with the geography of the Adirondack region.
Driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the College’s insurance carrier.

Responsibilities

Receive, inspect, and log environmental samples in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), verifying identification, documentation, container suitability, preservation, and receipt condition.
Prepare, process, and analyze samples on time; monitor holding times and preservation deadlines; prioritize work and communicate samples at risk of exceeding requirements.
Prepare and verify analytical standards, reagents, and quality-control materials, maintaining preparation records, labels, expiration dates, and source traceability.
Evaluate calibration and batch quality-control results against acceptance criteria, document exceptions, and coordinate corrective action or reanalysis with laboratory management.
Compile analytical data packages and assist with reviews; maintain complete, accurate, and traceable records, including dates, dilution factors, calculations, instrument files, and data qualifiers.
Initiate corrective action when needed, notify the Quality Assurance Officer of issues or needed preventative actions, and participate in root-cause analysis.
Troubleshoot analytical problems and identify solutions.
Maintain laboratory instruments and supporting equipment; perform and document routine performance checks, calibration verifications, preventive maintenance, and temperature monitoring.
Work with laboratory management to improve existing methods and support new method development, including method detection limit studies, reporting limit verification, instrument capability demonstrations, and method performance evaluations.
Maintain current demonstrations of capability for assigned analyses and keep personnel files and ongoing training documentation up to date.
Maintain a clean and orderly work area, including dishwashing, chemical inventory, and chemical disposal.
Follow safety and quality-assurance protocols.
Monitor laboratory supplies and consumables, communicate purchasing needs, and maintain adequate materials for scheduled analyses.
Assist laboratory management in maintaining the Environmental Research Laboratory Quality Assurance Management System to NYS DOH ELAP standards.
Assist the Laboratory Director and Technical Manager with data reporting and delivery to clients.
Assist in training seasonal employees and help ensure their work follows standard operating procedures.
Participate in annual quality-assurance audits led by laboratory management and in laboratory proficiency testing.
Contribute expertise to new project development.
Perform other duties as assigned.