Laboratory Scientist (Contingent Upon Contract Award)

Help Decide Which Fire Retardants and Foams Actually Make the Qualified Product List

Genex Systems is looking for 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. Since 1962, this lab has been the government's quality-control and field-support authority for wildland fire chemicals: the foams, gels, and long-term retardants dropped on wildfires across the country. If you want to design the experiments that decide whether a new fire chemical earns a spot on the federal Qualified Product List (QPL), this role puts you at the center of that work.

About the Lab

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 the ongoing quality-assurance testing required once a product is qualified. The lab tests to the current Forest Service specifications for foams (FS 5100-397b), gels (FS 5100-306b), and long-term retardants (FS 5100-304d), and coordinates with outside laboratories for specification tests it isn't equipped to run in-house.

As the lab's Laboratory Scientist, you'll lead the technical side of that mission: designing new experiments, developing and validating new QA and test protocols, and providing subject-matter-expert judgment on the emergent issues that come up when a new chemical formulation doesn't behave the way the specification expects.

What You'll Do

• 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 You'll Need (Required)

• 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.

Nice to Have (Preferred)

• 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.

Location & Work Arrangement

Missoula, MT: full-time, on-site at the Missoula Technology & Development Center (5785 Highway 10 West).

Additional Information

Work Authorization: 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.

This position is contingent upon contract award.

Genex Systems, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Genex Systems does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.