Laboratory Scientist (Contingent Upon Contract Award)

Genex Systems • Missoula, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Genex Systems is seeking a Laboratory Scientist to support the U.S. Forest Service's National Technology & Development Program (NTDP) at the Wildland Fire Chemical Systems (WFCS) Lab in Missoula, Montana. This lab has been the government's quality-control and field-support authority for wildland fire chemicals since 1962. The WFCS Lab evaluates wildland fire chemical products against federal specifications and recommends whether each one should be added to the Qualified Product List (QPL), then performs ongoing quality-assurance testing. The lab tests to current Forest Service specifications for foams, gels, and long-term retardants and coordinates with outside laboratories for tests it cannot perform in-house. As the Laboratory Scientist, you will lead the technical side of this mission by designing new experiments, developing and validating new QA and test protocols, and providing subject-matter-expert judgment on emergent issues with new chemical formulations.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, or another scientific discipline with a strong chemistry component, plus a minimum of 5 years working in a chemistry laboratory setting; OR, a minimum of 15 years of experience working in a laboratory setting, with at least 5 of those years in a chemistry laboratory. (Graduate coursework and associated university laboratory research may substitute for required experience)
• Proficiency with basic lab equipment and standard operating procedures.
• Strong attention to detail and strong written and oral communication skills; this role drafts scientific reports and correspondence of test results.
• Strict adherence to all laboratory safety rules and practices.
• Able to lift 50 lbs and spend extended periods standing or walking.
• Able to pass a federal background investigation to obtain USDA facility and IT system access.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or otherwise authorized to work in the U.S., and able to complete the background investigation required for USDA facility and computer-system access.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with wildland firefighting chemicals (foams, gels, and retardants).
• Experience developing or validating laboratory test protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Experience training or mentoring laboratory technicians.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop experiments to evaluate the properties and characteristics of wildland fire chemicals.
• Develop, validate, and document new quality assurance (QA) and testing protocols.
• Research and recommend new testing procedures, alternative methods, and appropriate instrumentation to improve the laboratory's capabilities.
• Provide subject-matter-expert technical input and assistance on project planning, emergent issues, and laboratory deliverables.
• Oversee and conduct complex scientific experiments.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, identify thresholds for acceptable/unacceptable outcomes, and troubleshoot anomalous results.
• Compile results and draft comprehensive scientific reports, summaries, and other internal/external deliverables.
• Perform the full range of Laboratory Technician duties as needed, including test/sample preparation, equipment calibration and upkeep, and specification data collection.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level