Laboratory Technician - Brownsvile, Tx

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Oil and Petroleum Laboratory Technicians perform 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.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensures the laboratory has adequate resources to perform all aspects of work required.
• Operates laboratory equipment and instruments such as microscopes, centrifuge, agitators, viscometer, chemical balance scales, spectrophotometer, gas chromatograph, colorimeter, and other equipment.
• Tests materials used as ingredients in adhesives, cement, propellants, lubricants, refectories, synthetic rubber, plastics, paint, paper, cloth, and products for such qualities as purity, stability, viscosity, density, absorption, gas chromatograph, and melting or flash point.
• Tests materials for presence and content of elements or substances such as hydrocarbons, manganese, natural grease, tungsten, sulfur, cyanide, ash, dust, or impurities.
• Tests samples of manufactured products to verify conformity to specifications.
• Records test results on standardized forms and writes test reports describing procedures used; prepares graphs and charts.
• Cleans and sterilizes laboratory equipment; calibrates laboratory instruments.
• Prepares chemical solutions according to standard formulas.
• Adds chemicals or raw materials to process solutions or products batches to correct or establish formulation required to meet specifications.
• Encourages laboratory performance through communication with lab staff and management to promote empowerment and accountability.
• Understands customer requirements and organizes lab procedures, schedules and staffing to provide for meeting and exceeding those requirements. 
• Supports the ISO certificate(s) and assists in the corrective/preventive actions process.
• Works a rotating schedule including weekends, holidays and must be available to work on an on-call basis. 
• Represents Inspectorate by appearance and conduct; behaves ethically at all times; maintains open communication with Lab Manager. 
• Carries out all responsibilities in a supportive manner with total adherence to: the Company's Health, Safety and Environmental Policies and Procedures; Business Management System; Compliance and Ethics Policies; and exercises good judgment, common sense, and diplomacy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one to three years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed are representative of the normal knowledge, skill, and/or ability levels required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals; ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers and the general public. 
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and draw and interpret graphical data.
• Ability to apply common-sense understanding to complex situations and able to prepare and/or follow instructions in written, oral, or diagrammatic form.  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee able to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle and feel objects, tools or controls and talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, smell and occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  
• The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds (with assistance).  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Depending on location site, while performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near explosive material and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold and/or heat; possibly working in enclosed spaces.  
• The noise level is usually moderate.