Lab Technician/Chemist

General Summary: 

Collect and analyze process samples, and safely operate the chemical injection, water treatment, and demineralizer systems for maximum efficiency and output. Troubleshoot and interpret analytical results of all plant water, coal, machinery lubrication, and material processes, make system performance recommendations and/or take action to maximize plant efficiency & reliability. In addition, this position provides technical expertise to Rainbow Energy Center’s chemistry laboratories and establishes testing methodology and protocols, research testing parameters, quality control oversight and industrial chemical related sampling, testing, data analyses and other duties as assigned by management. This position maintains contact with Rainbow Energy Center’s Laboratory, Engineering, Operations and Maintenance areas. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Water Treatment

• Operates and maintains the potable water treatment systems responsible for producing adequate quantity and quality potable service water for REC and affiliated customers.
• At REC, personnel performing this function are required to acquire and maintain the North Dakota Class II water treatment operator and Class I Water Distribution licensure. 
• Operates and maintains reverse osmosis & demineralizer equipment to maintain boiler feed water and steam quality requirements. 
• Operates assigned chemical feed equipment throughout the plant site to maintain open and closed loop system’s chemistry set points and control ranges. 

Conducts routine laboratory sampling and analysis to support plant operations and regulatory compliance. 

• Employ appropriate sampling procedures, laboratory equipment operation and laboratory procedures to assess the chemistry of cooling water, boiler feed water, coal, ash, machinery lubrication, and other samples to provide feedback on plant operations and to maintenance departments. 
• Collects and/or performs analysis for all samples that are required for pertinent regulatory compliance with state and federal permits.  
• Collects, analyzes, verifies (through established quality control measures), and reports credible, reliable laboratory data in the appropriate format to support routine plant operations in accordance with laboratory operating procedures.

Ensure that all laboratory equipment is in good working order. 

• Logs laboratory equipment parameters on a routine basis according to the laboratory procedures to ensure equipment is operating within acceptable ranges. 
• Logs and performs maintenance on lab equipment according to recommended maintenance schedule in a timely manner. 
• Troubleshoots equipment problems and performs corrective action as directed by leader, engineers, and/or generation chemist. 
• Prepare work orders and tag out systems as required to safely repair and maintain equipment. 

Assist lab leadership in the management of resources to ensure timely completion of routine and non-routine laboratory work tasks and projects. 

• Oversee special projects and serve as job leader for assigned areas. 
• Oversee ordering and inventory of laboratory reagents, laboratory consumables, and bulk chemicals for assigned area. 
• Provide support and act as backup to the generation chemist as assigned. 
• Assist leadership with other duties as assigned. 
• Maintains and oversees ordering and inventory of laboratory reagents, consumables, and bulk chemicals by periodically monitoring stock levels and ordering as necessary to ensure adequate supplies to support laboratory and plant operations in assigned areas.
• Safely handle, unload, transfer, dispense, and use hazardous chemicals and materials in accordance with all pertinent safety procedures, environmental policies, laws and regulations. 

Provide training/mentorship in the assigned expertise area(s). 

• Leads efforts in assigned area to review, edit, and author revisions to lab procedures and training materials. 
• Organizes and conducts training sessions as appropriate in assigned area to support laboratory proficiency and quality standards. 

Education & Experience 

Knowledge typically acquired through a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry or a science related field is required or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum of two years of laboratory experience with a working knowledge of complex analytical equipment is preferred.  Must have a valid driver’s license. 

Preferred qualifications include knowledge, training, or certification in:

Machine Lubricant Analysis; Atomic Absorption; Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP); Karl Fischer; auto titration; calorimetry; and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), North Dakota Class II water treatment operator and Class I Water Distribution licensure.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities. 

• Ability and responsibility to work safely alone and with others while following REC safety rules, certifications and procedures. 
• Ability and responsibility to ensure security procedures are followed including immediate notification of potential incidents.

Working Conditions

(The mental and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Working conditions will be indoors and outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather conditions of extreme cold or heat. Must be able to travel to various locations throughout the plant and facility grounds. Conditions in the plant and facility grounds may include extreme temperatures, noise levels, and heights. There will be overtime, and/or working weekends and infrequent overnight travel. 

This position requires the ability to occasionally or frequently sit, stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds frequently and bilaterally carry up to 100 pounds on rare occasion. The ability to climb, balance, work at heights and work with arms above your head occasionally up to frequently. Ability to occasionally up to frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist and squat, work on even and uneven surfaces and work occasionally in confined space areas. Ability to frequently push, pull, carry, grasp and finger objects. Subject to frequent vibration and hazards and on occasion exposed to fumes, dust or mist. You must wear protective equipment when required. Must be able to differentiate colors, have vision ability to encompass close-up and distant work, and proficiency in spoken and written English.

This position requires working a rotating weekend shift. Schedules shall be any combination of eight, ten or twelve-hour shifts and can include days, afternoons, nights, weekends and holidays. 

Must be able to wear/use SCBA, full face respirator, half mask, and a particulate respirator.