SUMMARY Performs laboratory tests to determine chemical and physical characteristics or composition of solid, liquid, or gaseous materials for such purposes as quality control, process control, or product development by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Sets up, adjusts, calibrates and operates laboratory equipment and instruments such as wet chemical glassware, manually operated instruments, semi-automatic instruments, automated instrumentation, standard lab equipment, spectrometers, gas chromatographs, octane engines, and other equipment. Tests materials used as ingredients in various fuels, paving industry, roofing industry, adhesives, propellants, lubricants, synthetic rubber, plastics, paint, paper, and other products for such qualities as purity, stability, distillation range, viscosity, density, flash point, penetration, soft point, vapor pressure, sulfur content, salt and BSW, pH, Doctor test, thin film oven properties, and a wide variety of boiler and cooling tower water tests. Prepares certificates of analysis for finished products and reports test results to in-house clients by phone, computer, email, etc. Performs routine instrument maintenance and trouble-shoots instrument problems. Performs routine mathematical calculations such as ratios, percentages, fractions, proportions and normalizations. Recognizes product characteristics (including discernment of color and appearance) well enough to identify unusual conditions for further action and/or to avoid undue hazards. Responds in a "hands-on" manner to emergencies such as fires, chemical spills and toxic material releases. Fills in for coworkers on a scheduled and unscheduled basis. Participates in analyzing and justifying various proficiency samples on all products. Tests samples of manufactured products to verify conformity to specifications. Tests samples of process samples to verify process efficiency. Records test results on standardized forms and writes test reports describing procedures used. Prepares graphs and charts. Cleans laboratory equipment and lab area in general. Calibrates laboratory instruments. Prepares chemical solutions according to standard formulas. Climbs tanks to obtain samples and transports samples between units and the lab. Works under the direction of the senior lab shift tester.
Required Skills
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Alabama driver''s license.
Required Experience
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Requires a 2 or 4 year college degree w/technical/science (chemistry preferred) background and 2-3 years of laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Alabama driver''s license.