Student, Environmental Laboratory (Chemistry)

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works at the Region’s Environmental Enforcement and Laboratory Services (EELS) in the inorganic and organic laboratory areas. Under the direction of management and qualified staff, carries out the following duties; 
• Prepares, clean and store equipment, including glassware, sample bottles.  
• Prepares supplies and equipment for field staff and external Regional staff.  
• Performs routine maintenance on analytical instruments in the Chemistry section.  
• Treats and disposes of lab chemical wastes generated during analysis, as per internal procedures and applicable legislation.
• Assists in the clean up of laboratory glassware, lab-ware and supplies following analysis. Assists in sample disposal following completion of analysis. Assists with general lab housekeeping. 
• Prepares various types of reagents and solutions required to perform chemistry test methods as directed.  
• Maintains inventories of supplies and checks for expiration dates.
• Assists with analytical test methods, including PC Titrator, Solids, SVOC Extraction and glassware/pipettes volume verification. 
• Assists in the validation of new analytical chemistry methods and/or the performance of new analytical instruments.
• Maintains SDS management system and document archiving.
• Work requires standing 90% of the time.  
• Periodically moves pressurized gas cylinders and lifts/moves boxes of supplies weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Works in a lab setting; follows Occupational Health and Safety policies and procedures and uses personal protective equipment to mitigate risks associated with working with chemicals and materials (e.g. solvents, mercury, lead, arsenic) and associated odours, working near a muffle furnace with ovens and flames, and accessing and cleaning a cold storage room.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of analytical chemistry, including instrumentation, methods and procedures employed in environmental analysis, acquired through current enrolment in Chemistry, or equivalent, at a University or College level.  
• Knowledge of and skill in the operation and minor technical servicing of analytical equipment, such as pH meters, automated extractors, spectrophotometers, auto-titrators, ovens and furnaces.  
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and related legislation.
• Communication skills to review, understand, and discuss detailed analytical procedures with staff, and participate as an effective team member.  
• Organizational skills to perform several tasks simultaneously.  
• Analytical and problem solving skills to interpret and evaluate analytical data, as directed.  
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
• Ability to use specialized computerized instruments.  
• Ability to read and apply information contained in analytical procedures, health and safety manuals, quality documents, and instrument manuals.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

Additional Infomation

To be considered for employment as a student, a person must be: registered as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student in an accredited institution, or currently recognized as having full-time status by the academic institution but applying for a school vacation, practicum or work term, or returning to full-time studies in the next academic term.  Students who are in their final year of academic study and who are not intending to return to full-time studies are eligible for student employment up until the time they convocate.  Students participating in education and retraining programs at the post- secondary level, though not full-time students, are eligible for related student employment opportunities, where appropriate.