Laboratory Technician at East Energy in Farmville, VA

Position Offered

Lab Technician

Company: East Energy

Location: Eastern North Carolina

Full Job Description

East Energy Renewables is a clean energy developer that excels at providing innovative solutions and projects in the agricultural biomass waste-to-energy sector, with compelling side stream projects under development in the green hydrogen and solar space. Headquartered in Farmville, North Carolina, East Energy provides project development and management services. We develop, construct, own and operate all our projects. We foster a culture of integrity, teamwork, and safety, with a commitment to innovation and technical excellence. We are currently looking for Lab Technicians.

Safety

Safety is a core value of East Energy and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be always mentally alert and work safely. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all East energy safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Specific Accountabilities, Responsibilities and Duties

· Upon morning arrival, turn on all machines required for testing and ensure they are in operating condition.

· Following the designated schedule at the time of employment, perform various sample tests via the corresponding Standards of Procedure (SOPs) provided on the job. As of the time of publication, testing responsibilities include:

o Collection and organization of samples per specified schedule (one common bin test sample for every 6 hours of operation, and one sample from each truck arrival at the plant).

o Grinding of samples to SOP specification.

o Moisture content analysis of litter samples.

o Creating pellets of dried samples using designated press.

o BTU content analysis of samples using a calorimeter.

o (For Central Lab tech only) Use of the ICP-OES device for elemental analysis.

· (Central Lab Tech only) Handle harsh chemicals safely under fume hood during sample preparation for the ICP-OES

· Clean and maintain all testing equipment during and after the testing process

· Enter test data into the Ignition system provided in the lab.

· Operate testing machinery safely.

· Keep the testing environment clean - wiping down all surfaces, sweeping and tidying up the lab prior to leaving for the day.

· Ensure machines are all properly turned off before leaving.

Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications

• High School degree or equivalent education.

• Candidates must receive a rating of “Recommended” on the company’s Pre-Employment Skills Assessment.

• Basic computer knowledge

• Complete lab tech training specified by lab supervisor.

• Ability to travel between the Lenoir County and Wilson County Plants. Must have dependable transportation and maintain a valid driver license with safe driving record.

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations. Ability to perform routine data entry and basic mathematical calculations.

• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain accurate and legible records and archive documents and data into a company data management system.

• Ability to adhere to Company policies and procedures and to quickly develop proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).

• Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.

• Must be able to multitask readily without direct supervisor input.

• Must be willing to accept and respond to assistance requests from the Plant Manager as required or assist in special projects as directed.

• Must be willing to work overtime as required.

• Must be able to prepare samples to ship to Lab for analysis if needed.

• Analyze retrieved data, archive documents and communicate results to management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Wet lab experience or certification

• Experience with product organization and data entry systems

Additional Skills

• Aptitude for routine and repetitive daily tasks

• Strong organization skills

• Capability for understanding technical manuals for technology diagnosis and/or repair

• Strong attention to detail

• Mechanical Aptitude

• Verbal and Written Communications

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Physical requirements include standing for extended periods requiring stair and ladder climbing and routinely lifting to 50 pounds.

• Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.).

• Work with hazardous materials may be required.

• Amount of time spent (approximate) – Standing 60%, Sitting 20%, Walking 20%.

• Requires close visual and hearing observation. Constantly uses hands to finger, handle or feel and frequently reaches with hands and arms.

• Occasional stooping, bending or kneeling. Close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus are position requirements.

• All personnel will participate in a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

• Spends 50% of time outdoors or in a plant environment. This may include extreme temperatures of hot and cold. Travel between two plants as needed.

• May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, airborne particles, and noise, rotating machinery, high pressure, hot and cold temperatures, slippery surfaces, water and electrical hazards.

Compensation

East offers full health insurance and 401k+match benefits, and an employee ownership participation program with cross-access to the shared success of the development and operations companies. Compensation is commensurate with experience and skills—this is a cliché, but it is important for East to understand where a candidate falls within their career growth, where they are likely to end up within the organization chart of the company, and to be competitive with the marketplace.

Schedule

This position requires working five 8-hour shifts with the possibility of overtime, weekend and holiday work as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions.