Laboratory Analyst

Laboratory Analyst

The Adirondack Watershed Institute is a program of Paul Smith's College, a private undergraduate college located in the heart of the Adirondack Park in upstate New York. The mission of AWI is to protect clean water, conserve habitat and support the health and well-being of people in the Adirondacks through scientific inquiry, stewardship, and real-world experiences for students. AWI's Environmental Research Laboratory holds certification under NYSDOH Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP).

The Laboratory Analyst is a mid-level position within AWI. This position serves as an analyst in the environmental research lab and supports general laboratory operations while adhering to the requirements of the ELAP accreditation.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Receive, inspect, and log environmental samples into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Verify sample identification, required documentation, container suitability, preservation, and receipt condition.
• Ensure timely preparation, processing, and analysis of environmental samples. Monitor sample holding times and preservation deadlines, prioritize assigned work accordingly, and promptly communicate samples at risk of exceeding laboratory or project requirements.
• Prepare and verify analytical standards, reagents, and quality control materials; maintain preparation records, labeling, expiration dates, and traceability to source materials.
• Evaluate calibration and batch quality control results against established 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 laboratory records, including preparation and analysis dates, dilution factors, calculations, instrument files, and applicable data qualifiers.
• Initiate corrective action when needed, notify the Quality Assurance Officer of any issues or preventative actions needed, and participate in root cause analysis.
• Troubleshoot analytical problems and identify solutions.
• Maintain laboratory instruments and supporting equipment. Perform and document routine equipment performance checks, calibration verifications, preventive maintenance, and temperature monitoring.
• Proactively work with lab management to enhance existing laboratory methods, such as improving method performance or reducing run times. Support the development of new laboratory methods. Participate in method detection limit studies, reporting limit verification, instrument capability demonstrations, and method performance evaluations.
• Maintain up-to-date staff demonstration of capability for assigned analysis and keep personnel files current, including ongoing training documentation.
• Maintain a clean and tidy lab work area, including laboratory dishwashing, and chemical inventory and disposal.
• Adhere to safety and quality assurance protocols.
• Monitor laboratory supplies and consumables, communicate purchasing needs, and maintain adequate materials for scheduled analyses.
• Assist the laboratory management in overseeing and 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 to ensure that their work adheres to standard operating procedures.
• Participate in annual quality assurance audits led by lab management and lab proficiency testing.
• Contribute expertise to new project development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

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

Preferred:

• One year serving as a lab 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.

Physical Requirements:

Environmental Conditions

Work is consistently performed in an indoor laboratory setting with normal temperature ranges for the season.

Traditional noise of a busy office setting can be expected.

Working spaces may be crowded based on traffic and space configuration.

Lifting and Carrying

Ability to regularly lift up to 20 lbs.

Frequent lifting and carrying of light to moderate weight items (trays of water sample bottles, glassware, laptop, reagent bottles).

Mobility

Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel to pick up items as necessary.

Climbing staircases within buildings and around campus.

Ability to spend extended amounts of time on your feet.

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination

Manual dexterity for handling precise laboratory equipment.

Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.

Clear and legible penmanship.

Ability to reach overhead or below knee level to perform work duties.

Sensory Requirements

Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses as necessary.

Good hearing with assistive devices as necessary.

Paul Smith's College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.