Laboratory Specialist

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Operate and maintain a variety of laboratory grade instrumentation and equipment, including but not limited to: pH and dissolved oxygen meters; colorimeters and spectrophotometers; ovens, hot plates, incubators and autoclaves; scales; flow paced and time based autosamplers; laboratory/industrial cleaning equipment.
• Plans, prioritizes, oversees, coordinates, and participates in routine chemical, physical, and bacteriological examination of water, wastewater, and various sludge and solids samples in compliance with facility's NPDES permits.
• Maintain, clean, and organize lab area in manner that promotes safety, hygiene, good handling practices, sound chain of custody for samples and accurate analysis.
• Oversees and/or prepares chemical reagents, bacteriological media, and other daily routine functions.
• Plans, oversees, coordinates, and reports activities associated with assigned programs, such as: Quality Control and Quality Assurance, sludge production and disposal, whole effluent toxicity testing, DMRQA, and other programs as required.
• Compiles data and prepares various reports for submittal to regulatory agencies.
• Responsible for the maintenance of all laboratory equipment and work area to ensure proper operation.
• Maintains accurate and up to date inventory of supplies, adequately anticipates ordering for supplies, prepares requisitions and procures services, equipment and supplies.
• Monitors departmental expenditures and assists in the development of annual budget.
• Update manuals, standard operating procedures and procedures for maintenance and operation of laboratory; prepares, coordinates, and implements training associated with laboratory techniques, processes, and procedures.
• Coordinates and participates in the assignment of laboratory services for holidays and weekends as required and responds to after-hours contacts for services during emergency situations.
• Performs in strict compliance with IOSHA safety standards, Company Policies and Procedures, as well as applicable Federal, State, and local codes, regulations, and requirements.
• Participates in and promotes positive public relations and customer service, responds to inquiries and/or complaints, conducts tours of the facility, attends interdivisional meetings, and coordinates with internal and external entities providing support and assistance as required.
• Maintains current knowledge of analytical techniques and procedures as well as environmental regulations, technologies, trends, techniques, and processes through ongoing training, study, and continuing education.
• Demonstrate regular & predictable attendance; attend job and safety training, as instructed.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A high school diploma or GED.Secondary education in Biology, Chemistry, or other related field preferred.
• Must have ability to read and understand technical documents, regulatory language, instrumentation guides and manuals. Must have basic mathematics and algebra competency including, but not limited to; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, basic statistical analysis.
• A minimum of 3 years' lab-related experience, preferably in the water/wastewater industry.
• A valid Indiana Driver's license or ability to obtain upon residency.
• Possession of a current Indiana Class 3 Wastewater Operator's III License or higher is preferred. It is expected that Laboratory Specialists without a Class 3 License will actively and intentionally seek licensing as experience and training allow.
• Possession of a current IWEA Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class 2 License or higher is preferred. It is expected that Laboratory Specialists without a Laboratory Analyst License will actively and intentionally seek licensing as experience and training allow.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A broad understanding of the current principles, standard methods, practices, and application, of environmental laboratory procedures and techniques and associated environmental regulations.
• Familiarity with general Industry standards for workforce safety and general office practices and procedures, including proficiency in software applications such as MS Office.
• Basic knowledge of business and management concepts such as budget development and management; coordination and management of resources.
• Effective customer service skills.
• Effective communication; Interpersonal interaction; Leadership; Organization; Reasoning and problem solving; Comprehension; Multi-tasking; Self-Motivation.
• Listen to and understand technical information and ideas presented through oral and written communication; quickly recognize unusual or threatening circumstances and initiate proper response; establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effectively respond to conflict, contacts, inquiries, and complaints.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with business associates, employees and the general public in order to convey information, answer questions and resolve problems.
• Effectively work independently or as part of a team; apply knowledge of principles, standards, and practices as defined above.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The job demands described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment of the position.
• May be subject to extreme temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, fumes, dusts, mists, gases and /or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Regularly required to work at a lab bench and travel to remote locations throughout the facility; is frequently required to maneuver and navigate uneven surfaces, steps, stairs, ladders, platforms, and restricted isle-ways and walk-ways; may be exposed to extreme weather conditions including: heat, cold, wind, rain, sleet/snow.
• Occasionally required to perform manual labor including lifting of up to 50 pounds.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.