Lab Technician II - CP Kelco

Position Summary

The In-Process Shift Lab Tech is responsible for testing production seed and fermentation vessels.  This involves performance monitoring and sterility testing.  Accuracy in testing and reporting is essential.  Required to work alone during night shift, holidays, and weekends.  Must be able to work 12-hour, rotating shifts.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Works independently to sample seed and fermentor vessels.
    Samples are obtained from each operating seed tank and fermentor every three (3) hours.  Required to unscrew metal cap from the sample port by twisting in a counter-clockwise manner.  Samples are obtained manually by firmly grasping a four-ounce glass container equipped with     a six-inch stainless steel needle, and inserting the needle into a 1.5-inch rubber plug in the vessel.  Must be able to exert approximately ten (10) pounds of pressure to insert needle through plug.  Vessels are 200-300 feet away from the laboratory, with sample ports at waist-high and overhead.  Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs from feet to chest high.  Collecting samples requires going up and down three flights of stairs a minimum of five times.  

2.    Test broth samples.
Required to perform microbiological and physical and chemical tests on seed and fermentor samples. An aliquot of broth is manually pipetted from each sample bottle into a ten-ml. test tube and onto agar plates.   Samples are visually inspected under a microscope. Must be able to distinguish color changes for visual inspection of samples for contamination.  Requires manual dexterity to make fine measurements with lab equipment.  Must use acids and bases and other commonly used chemicals in the laboratory.  (Containers are labeled for identification).

Must be able to coordinate work responsibilities independently and report timely and accurate results. Generally, the Lab Tech must be on her/his feet up to ten (10) hours each shift.  In addition, the job requires basic math skills to calculate test results, and the ability to learn basic computer skills to enter data.

3.    Documentation.  Must maintain complete and accurate records in various log books, reports and documents, including entering data into the department’s computerized database.
 
4.    Daily clean up of glassware and utensils after use.
    Used glassware and utensils are collected at the sink area for hand washing and preparation for sterilization.  Working at a waist-high counter and sink, the Lab Tech must manually scrape and/or brush residual broth from containers.  Each piece of glassware is placed into racks and carried approximately 20 feet to a steam sterilizing unit.  A push cart may be used to transport racks of bottles to the sterilizer.  After sterilizing and cooling, racks of glassware and pipette are placed on countertops, under counter cabinets, or on waist-high carts for storage.
 

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

Physical Requirements

Key Competencies

Education

Total Rewards

J.M. Huber Corporation complies with all local/state regulations requiring salary range transparency.

Any offered salary is determined based on relevant factors such as an applicant's skills, performance, job responsibilities, prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications and market considerations.