Laboratory Technical Manager

The Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith’s College, the only four-year college in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, is a watershed organization with a record of nearly 30 years of tracking and monitoring water quality in Adirondack lakes. AWI’s Environmental Research Laboratory holds certification under New York State Department Of Health Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program to support water quality monitoring in lakes, rivers, and waters throughout the Adirondack Park.

This Laboratory Technical Manager position is a critical mid-level position within the AWI. This position has responsibility over the day-to-day analysis of the AWI environmental laboratory and serves as a Technical Director for the laboratory. This position serves as the supervisor to two Laboratory Analysts.

Prospective applicants should have a Bachelor of Science degree in Limnology, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Sciences, chemistry, physical or biological sciences, or engineering, or a related field, with atleast 24 college semester credit hours of chemistry coursework. Candidates should also have atleast three years of work experience in environmental analysis in a NELAC/ELAP certified lab. A Master of Science degree can be substituted for one year of experience.

Candidates should also have an understanding of laboratory QA/QC practices and method development, as well as experience with the following analyses: Specific conductance, pH, phosphorus, nitrate, ammonia, alkalinity, anions, color, CDOM, chlorophyll-a, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, ICP metals analysis, and microcystins.

Candidates should be able to calibrate and operate lab instruments including ICP-OES, FIA, IC, TOC/N, pH/Cond, and possess some experience in training and supervising staff. Strong communication skills, excellent problem solving abilities, and the capacity to multitask are all required. The ability to work both collaboratively and independently is also necessary. Familiarity with the geography of the Adirondack region and a valid Driver’s license and record acceptable to the College’s insurance carrier is a plus.

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements.