Field and Laboratory Operations Technician

Field and Laboratory Operations Technician

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Field and Laboratory Operations Technician

PACE is seeking a Field and Laboratory Operations Technician with 3-5 years of start-up experience of projects in the environmental, water, construction, oil & gas, chemical, or power industries. As a key member of the Research and Development (R&D) Team at PACE, the Field and Laboratory Operations Technician will support engineers and scientists in conducting, planning, organizing, and coordinating a wide range of activities in our in-house PACE Environmental Water Laboratory and at field sites.

Responsibilities include conducting pilot- and bench-scale testing; performing physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater samples; constructing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting pilot systems; and assisting with other R&D initiatives across water, wastewater, and water reuse projects.

The successful candidate will join a team of environmental engineers and scientists who are well-known in the industry for excellence in advanced water and wastewater research and technical consulting.

The candidate will be expected to perform the following tasks under the supervision of one of our full-time staff:

Functions of this position may include:

• Conduct a variety of bench- and pilot-scale tests in the laboratory or in the field;
• Lead the assembly, installation, and commissioning of bench- and pilot-scale treatment systems, including equipment set-up, tubing and piping, and installing pumps, tanks, valves, and instrumentation;
• Troubleshoot operational issues in pilot systems, including flow inconsistencies, pressure loss, pump failures, leaks, instrumentation errors, and control system malfunctions with an interdisciplinary team of engineers and technicians;
• Optimize new and existing piloted systems to execute treatment goals;
• Interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and equipment specifications to support pilot setup and execution;
• Collect and process water, wastewater, storm water, industrial wastewater, soil, sludge, and biosolid samples;
• Perform water quality analyses for liquid and solid samples onsite and in-house, including physical-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity, odor, color, turbidity, certain specific inorganic and organic parameters, as well as microbiological parameters;
• Prepare a variety of records and reports;
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in civil, environmental, mechanical, or chemical engineering, and/or equivalent industry experience or certifications preferred;
• 3-5 years of commissioning and start-up experience of projects in the environmental, water, construction, oil & gas, chemical, or power industries preferred;
• Familiarity with industrial piping systems, water treatment equipment, pumps, and hydraulics is preferred;
• Understand the basic operation laboratory equipment such as micropipettes, analytical balances, burettes, pH meters, dissolved oxygen meters, spectrophotometers, turbidimeters, centrifuges, autoclaves, etc.
• Proficient with data organization and management software such as Microsoft Excel;
• Excellent time management, organizational, and technical communication skills;
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills;
• Ability to interface with cross-functional teams and all levels of personnel.

The following skills are not required, but are highly desirable:

Candidate resumes will be evaluated relative to experience and knowledge of all areas listed above.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; color vision is very helpful.

Field work and travel with overnight stays will be required.

Must have good transportation, flexibility to travel with occasional overnight stays in California and states surrounding California. The noise level in the office work environment is moderate. The noise level in the field work environment will include working in and around operating machinery, exposed electrical systems and potentially dusty and dirty environments. The candidate will be required to work in external environments in all weather conditions.

Competitive Salary commensurate with experience and capabilities, with a range of $31.00 – $38.00/hour.

PACE is an equal opportunity employer.
At this time, PACE will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.
Local candidates are preferred. No relocation package is offered.