Laboratory Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PACE is seeking a Field and Laboratory Operations Technician with 3-5 years of start-up experience of projects in the environmental, water, construction, oil & gas, chemical, or power industries. As a key member of the Research and Development (R&D) Team at PACE, the Field and Laboratory Operations Technician will support engineers and scientists in conducting, planning, organizing, and coordinating a wide range of activities in our in-house PACE Environmental Water Laboratory and at field sites. Responsibilities include conducting pilot-and bench-scale testing; performing physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater samples; constructing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting pilot systems; and assisting with other R&D initiatives across water, wastewater, and water reuse projects.

The successful candidate will join a team of environmental engineers and scientists who are well-known in the industry for excellence in advanced water and wastewater research and technical consulting.

The candidate will be expected to perform the following tasks under the supervision of one of our full-time staff:

Functions of this position may include:

• Conduct a variety of bench- and pilot-scale tests in the laboratory or in the field;
• Lead the assembly, installation, and commissioning of bench- and pilot-scale treatment systems, including equipment set-up, tubing and piping, and installing pumps, tanks, valves, and instrumentation;
• Troubleshoot operational issues in pilot systems, including flow inconsistencies, pressure loss, pump failures, leaks, instrumentation errors, and control system malfunctions with an interdisciplinary team of engineers and technicians;
• Optimize new and existing piloted systems to execute treatment goals;
• Interpret P&IDs, process flow diagrams, and equipment specifications to support pilot setup and execution;
• Collect and process water, wastewater, storm water, industrial wastewater, soil, sludge, and biosolid samples;
• Perform water quality analyses for liquid and solid samples onsite and in-house, including physical- chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, conductivity, odor, color, turbidity, certain specific inorganic and organic parameters, as well as microbiological parameters;
• Prepare a variety of records and reports;
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in civil, environmental, mechanical, or chemical engineering, and/or equivalent industry experience or certifications preferred;
• 3-5 years of commissioning and start-up experience of projects in the environmental, water, construction, oil & gas, chemical, or power industries preferred;
• Familiarity with industrial piping systems, water treatment equipment, pumps, and hydraulics is preferred;
• Understand the basic operation laboratory equipment such as micropipettes, analytical balances, burettes, pH meters, dissolved oxygen meters, spectrophotometers, turbidimeters, centrifuges, autoclaves, etc.
• Proficient with data organization and management software such as Microsoft Excel;
• Excellent time management, organizational, and technical communication skills;
• Strong problem solving and analytical skills;
• Ability to interface with cross-functional teams and all levels of personnel.

Preferences

The following skills are not required, but are highly desirable:

• T3 Water Treatment Plant Operator certification

Candidate resumes will be evaluated relative to experience and knowledge of all areas listed above.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands, handle or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; color vision is very helpful. Field work and travel with overnight stays will be required.

Work Environment

Must have good transportation, flexibility to travel with occasional overnight stays in California and states surrounding California. The noise level in the office work environment is moderate. The noise level in the field work environment will include working in and around operating machinery, exposed electrical systems and potentially dusty and dirty environments. The candidate will be required to work in external environments in all weather conditions.

Salary

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and capabilities.

PACE is an equal opportunity employer.

At this time, PACE will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

Local candidates are preferred. No relocation package is offered.

PACE is a specialized civil engineering firm focusing on advanced water resource services with unique research and development capabilities through our onsite water quality and piloting laboratories. We offer a wide range of engineering services related to water, wastewater, stormwater management, water resource planning, regulatory compliance and energy sustainability to ensure projects are both economically viable and environmentally sensitive. Our engineering approach focuses on maximizing value by applying state-of-the art analytical tools and designing water infrastructure systems that include environmental, aesthetic and recreation uses. PACE staff members include licensed professional engineers, scientists, PhDs, university instructors and policymakers in the water resource arena.

When you join our PACE family, you join a group of individuals with a shared passion for water, a desire to grow, and a determination to make a difference. We believe it is important to cultivate a team-oriented, purpose-driven, and encouragement-led culture to best achieve our goals and deliver quality work to our clients.
We provide an environment that incorporates professional and personal team building and growth through various interactive programs intended to cultivate a comfortable, collaborative and advanced-thinking environment. We promote these values with programs and events such as company-sponsored luncheons with group activities, training events, project presentations, iponsoring community support events, offsite gatherings, and more. We also welcome feedback to best understand our team's needs and concerns and continuously improve our company as a whole. With the following characteristics embedded in our culture, you will feel the difference in working for a company that cares:

Collaborative
Client-Focused
Have Fun
Thrive

Additionally, we maintain an active office environment to promote collaboration and efficient delivery of projects, with a wide variety of office perks:

• Complimentary breakfast and casual attire every Friday
• Complimentary tea, coffee, breakfast bars, and snacks offered daily
• Health Incentive program
• Stand up desks
• Yoga ball chair
• Café style break room with big screen TV

In addition to the competitive compensation, PTO, paid holiday, insurance and retirement (401k) benefits, PACE also offers:

• Bonus pay opportunities
• Potential future shareholder opportunities
• Reimbursement for personal health and wellness programs (such as gym memberships)
• Reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses (such as co-pays/deductibles, expenses not qualified for insurance coverage, etc.)
• Tuition, training and association due reimbursement
• Flexible spending accounts based on pre-tax payroll contributions for dependent care, medical, dental and vision expenses
• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Employee Assistance Program providing counseling for well-being, legal services, financial wellness and identity theft resources

* These programs each have guidelines for eligibility and reimbursement limits. Details of these programs can be provided upon request.