Lab Tech

About VLS

VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions offering industry‑leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients’ sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.

VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non‑hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion, sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.

VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division offers specialty cleaning for difficult‑to‑clean products—such as chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases—as well as comprehensive repair services for certified full‑service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.

VLS Marine Services division provides state‑of‑the‑art barge cleaning, repair, and gas‑free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.

Essentially, the Laboratory Technician supports facility operations by performing analytical testing on processed materials and outbound waste streams to verify material characteristics, blend quality, and customer specifications.

Working closely with Operations, QA/QC, and Site Leadership, this position provides accurate laboratory data to support production, optimize treatment processes, and ensure outbound materials meet regulatory, operational, and customer requirements. The Laboratory Technician is responsible for sample preparation, analytical testing, equipment calibration, quality control, and maintaining accurate laboratory records.

• Perform laboratory analyses on processed materials, treatment batches, and outbound waste streams to verify material characteristics and customer specifications.
• Conduct analytical testing to support production and outbound shipments, including but not limited to:
  • pH
  • Bench‑scale treatment evaluations
  • Total Halogens
  • Flash Point
  • PCB analysis
  • Metals analysis
  • BS&W analysis
  • Solvent Scan
  • BTU analysis
• Provide analytical data used to verify outbound blend quality, treatment effectiveness, and compliance with customer and regulatory specifications.
• Prepare representative samples and perform routine laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
• Accurately record, review, and maintain laboratory results within company databases and laboratory information systems.
• Perform routine calibration, verification, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, including pH meters, balances, flash point testers, gas chromatographs (GC), GC/MS, ICP instruments, calorimeters, microcoulometers, and other analytical equipment.
• Perform laboratory quality control activities, including calibration checks, standards, blanks, duplicates, and proficiency testing to ensure analytical accuracy and data integrity.
• Communicate laboratory results and testing trends to Operations, QA/QC, and Site Leadership to support production decisions and process optimization.
• Assist Operations with evaluating treatment performance and blend adjustments through laboratory analysis.
• Generate laboratory reports and provide analytical results as requested.
• Maintain laboratory inventory, testing supplies, and chemical stock while ensuring proper storage and housekeeping.
• Maintain laboratory records in accordance with company procedures, regulatory requirements, and record retention policies.
• Ensure laboratory equipment remains in proper working condition by identifying maintenance needs and coordinating repairs when necessary.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
• Comply with all company safety policies and applicable EPA, OSHA, DOT, RCRA, and environmental regulations.
• Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and safely handle laboratory chemicals and hazardous materials.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, testing accuracy, and operational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.