Water Quality Lab Technician - 529288
About The Position
The Water Quality Lab Technician provides advanced technical inspection, testing, verification, and qualification of laboratory instruments, sensors, and analytical systems using established and specialized procedures. Conducts diagnostics, adjustments, calibration, and complex repairs on laboratory and field equipment. Evaluates instrument performance and associated data output to ensure compliance with technical and quality standards, identifying anomalies or performance deficiencies, and implementing corrective actions to maintain system reliability and data integrity. The Alabama Water Institute (AWI) is one of four research institutes at The University of Alabama. AWI serves as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration across the University’s various colleges, uniting engineers, computer scientists, biologists, social scientists, economists, and more to tackle the pressing water challenges faced by Alabama and the world. AWI-affiliated researchers specialize in water security and quality, remote sensing, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and watershed management through synergies with AWI research entities, including the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology, the Global Water Security Center, and the CONSERVE Research Group. This position provides independent technical judgment to evaluate instrument performance, ensure data quality, and maintain continuity of monitoring systems critical to research and operational objectives. Responsibilities include instrument verification, diagnostics, repair, deployment readiness, and support of data integrity through established quality assurance practices. Serves as a key technical resource supporting both laboratory and field operations and contributes directly to the reliability and usability of environmental data. Ensures the operational readiness, performance, and data quality of instrumentation systems supporting laboratory and field monitoring activities.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED and four (4) years of laboratory or field instrumentation experience; OR associate's degree and two (2) years of laboratory or field instrumentation experience; OR bachelor's degree and some laboratory or field instrumentation experience.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident (due to requirements of the funding source).
- Knowledge of laboratory and field instrumentation, including operation, calibration, testing, and troubleshooting of environmental monitoring equipment.
- Ability to apply technical procedures and exercise independent judgment in evaluating instrument performance and resolving equipment issues.
- Familiarity with equipment handling, deployment readiness, and tracking processes.
- Strong communication and customer support skills, with the ability to convey technical information to a range of users.
- Working knowledge of mechanical and basic electrical systems associated with instrumentation.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, physical science, engineering technology, or a closely related field and four (4) years of relevant experience supporting laboratory or field instrumentation, environmental monitoring, or technical operations.
- Experience with water quality, hydrologic, or environmental monitoring instrumentation.
- Experience performing calibration, troubleshooting, maintenance, or operational support of scientific or environmental equipment.
- Experience supporting data quality assurance, validation, and technical documentation in laboratory or field environments.
Responsibilities
- Provides advanced technical inspection, testing, verification, and qualification of laboratory instruments, sensors, and analytical systems using established and specialized procedures.
- Conducts diagnostics, adjustments, calibration, and complex repairs on laboratory and field equipment.
- Evaluates instrument performance and associated data output to ensure compliance with technical and quality standards.
- Identifies anomalies or performance deficiencies, and implements corrective actions to maintain system reliability and data integrity.
- Provides independent technical judgment to evaluate instrument performance, ensure data quality, and maintain continuity of monitoring systems critical to research and operational objectives.
- Supports instrument verification, diagnostics, repair, deployment readiness, and data integrity through established quality assurance practices.
- Serves as a key technical resource supporting both laboratory and field operations.
- Contributes directly to the reliability and usability of environmental data.
- Ensures the operational readiness, performance, and data quality of instrumentation systems supporting laboratory and field monitoring activities.
Benefits
- The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
