Laboratory Technician

Summary

Alaska Testlab employs Laboratory Technicians to be responsible for performing asphalt, concrete, soil, rock and aggregate testing in accordance with published standards and ATL laboratory policies and procedures. The Laboratory Technician will coordinate all incoming samples, establish work flow, perform testing, train less experienced technicians with methods and procedures in the laboratory, enter test results, help maintain equipment and perform calibrations and maintenance as needed.

Work is generally part time in winter and full time from about April through October.

Core Functions
• Know and understand the Quality System Manual.
• Know and understand ASTM, AASHTO, ATM, WAQTC, and other laboratory test procedures.
• Know and understand how to perform calibrations.
• Perform testing in the laboratory on construction materials to include modified Proctors, sieve analyses, plasticity index tests, soil classification, and other soil, asphalt, and concrete tests.
• Prep and perform tests on concrete cylinders, cores, masonry block, and prisms for compressive strength testing.
• Perform calibrations on laboratory and field equipment and demonstrate methods to less experienced personnel.
• Interact with clients bringing samples and collect appropriate information.
• Perform calculations of test data and check data calculations of less experienced personnel.
• Assist, train and observe Materials Testing Technicians in performing testing and calibrations in the laboratory.
• Assist with data back-checking and corrections.
• Help maintain the overall lab cleanliness and with sample disposal.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Essential Qualifications

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Knowledge, Cognitive Skills, Behaviors and Values to Do this Job

This position requires the ability to multi-task, strong organization skills, client and process oriented, a calm and supportive attitude, and the ability to assess business and project needs, as well as client challenges as they arise. This position requires a diverse and demanding set of technical, cognitive, and interpersonal skills. These are the most critical.

Manage Multiple Tasks: Apply sound time and project management to track, prioritize, and complete multiple assigned tasks from Lead Laboratory Technicians and the Laboratory Supervisor.

Excel With Technology: Leverage the technology and systems that ATL provides to be successful every day. Know how to apply technology to meet business needs using mobile, cloud-based, and client-based systems. Comfortable with technology of all types, to include varying customer relations management (CRM) and proprietary workflow software and associate hardware devices. Be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Work, Excel, and Office 365.

Skilled in Math: Basic math and English skills sufficient to read and understand test procedures, communicate with supervisors, and to perform test computations. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, decimals and percentages. Ability to interpret graphs.

Excel in Data Management: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with abstract and concrete variables.

Communicate Well: Have solid technical and business writing and verbal skills such to communicate clearly and effectively with co-workers and with clients. Be good in frequent person-to-person and occasionally group communications. Have strong writing skills for corresponding with both clients and co-workers.

Be Organized: Keep testing documents up to date and organized via ATL's procedures and online system, technical skills as well as a certain amount of comfort with written (both hand and electronic) communication.

Be Professional: Exude it in your dress, manners, speech, and actions.

Education and/or Experience

Minimum requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent. Three years laboratory testing experience is required. In lieu of two years of testing experience, a minimum two year degree in engineering is required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid driver's license with a good driving record.
• ACI Certification (Aggregates) within one year
• WAQTC Certification (Aggregates, Asphalt) within 3 months required

Work Environment & Physical Demands

The job involves being subjected to the elements including extreme cold and heat and hazards including, but not limited to, working with ovens and hot plates, and moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Physical demands include listening (a lot), talking, walking, sitting, standing, constant lifting of modest payloads (frequently up to 75 lbs.), getting in and out of vehicles, and operating a range of equipment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.