Entry-Level Laboratory Technician - Organic Extractions (M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Sterling Labs•Des Plaines, IL

About The Position

The Laboratory Technician for Organic Extractions performs laboratory preparation, analysis, and testing of soil and water samples in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory methods. The role includes routine equipment operation, maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, sample preparation, and documentation, as well as communicating workload status and data quality concerns to a supervisor and supporting investigations and corrective actions. The position involves preparing, digesting, and analyzing soil and water samples using laboratory scales, manual pipettes, glassware, wire trawls, turbovaps, burners, and nitrogen evaporation equipment. Soil work includes using sonicators for SVOC and TPH extractions and laboratory microwaves for herbicide, pesticide, and PCB extractions. Water work includes operating separatory funnel shakers for extractions and centrifuges for emulsion separation. The role also involves proper reagent preparation and labeling, sample disposal, and keeping equipment and laboratory records in good order. Sterling Labs is an accredited environmental laboratory that provides analytical data in support of human health and environmental protection. The company describes its workplace as supportive, inclusive, and growth-oriented, and states a commitment to integrity, client focus, collaboration, and improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, or biology.
Ability to learn laboratory information systems (LIMS), databases, and Microsoft Office Suite.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data and form conclusions.
Highly organized, with ability to follow specific rules and patterns for analysis and equipment setup.
Ability to maintain sustained attention and precision during repetitive or detailed analytical and extraction procedures.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with supervisors and coworkers regarding workload, safety, and data accuracy.
Ability to work safely around organic solvents, compressed gases, acids, and other hazardous laboratory chemicals while wearing required PPE.
Ability to stand for prolonged periods while preparing and extracting samples.
Frequent precise use of hands and fingers to handle pipettes, glassware, balances, wire trawls, and other laboratory instruments.
Ability to lift, carry, and move solvent containers, sample batches, and laboratory equipment weighing up to 30 pounds using safe lifting techniques.
Ability to bend, reach, and stoop occasionally to access instruments, perform maintenance, or retrieve supplies.
Ability to visually read meniscus lines, monitor sample color changes, and inspect instrument displays; required vision abilities include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Perform routine operation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.
Prepare samples, dilutions, and splits for analysis according to SOPs.
Prepare and properly label reagents and standards.
Complete laboratory documentation in logbooks, maintenance books, standard books, bench sheets, and other records.
Dispose of samples according to SOPs.
Clean and maintain laboratory equipment in good working order.
Communicate workload status and data quality issues to the supervisor.
Assist the supervisor with root cause investigations and implement necessary corrective actions.
Prepare, digest, and analyze soil and water samples consistently with laboratory SOPs.
Use laboratory scales and manual pipettes for sample weighing and liquid transfer.
Read meniscus lines on glassware and accurately spike samples using wire trawls.
Use turbovaps, burners, and nitrogen evaporation to concentrate and extract samples from soil and water.
Use sonicators for soil extractions for SVOC and TPH.
Use laboratory microwaves to extract herbicides, pesticides, and PCBs from soil.
Operate separatory funnel shakers to extract water samples for subsequent SVOC, TPH, PCB, pesticide, and herbicide analysis.
Operate centrifuges for emulsion separation.
Perform other duties as determined by the department Team Lead.