VLS Environmental Solutions, LLC, is a recognized leader in providing sustainability solutions, with three divisions providing industry-leading services. With a mission to innovate solutions to meet clients' sustainability goals, VLS has over 1,200 employees in 40+ locations across North America.
Waste Services
VLS Waste Services provides customized waste processing solutions for hazardous and non-hazardous industrial and commercial waste, including landfill diversion and sustainability programs, solidification of liquid waste, recycling, wastewater treatment, and waste sequestration.
Railcar Services
VLS Railcar Cleaning and Repair Services division provides specialty cleaning services for difficult-to-clean products, including chemicals, hardened materials, and pressurized gases, and comprehensive repair services for certified full-service repairs, tank car qualifications, and maintenance.
Marine Services
VLS Marine Services division offers state-of-the-art barge cleaning, repair, and gas-free facilities for various chemical solvents and downstream petroleum products.
Requirements:
Role Summary
The Laboratory Technician supports facility operations by performing analytical testing on processed materials and outbound waste streams to verify material characteristics, blend quality, and customer specifications. Working closely with Operations, QA/QC, and Site Leadership, this position provides accurate laboratory data to support production, optimize treatment processes, and ensure outbound materials meet regulatory, operational, and customer requirements.
The Laboratory Technician is responsible for sample preparation, analytical testing, equipment calibration, quality control, and maintaining accurate laboratory records. This role plays a key part in ensuring product quality, supporting process improvements, and maintaining compliance with company procedures and applicable environmental regulations.
Essential Responsibilities
- Perform laboratory analyses on processed materials, treatment batches, and outbound waste streams to verify material characteristics and customer specifications.
- Conduct analytical testing to support production and outbound shipments, including but not limited to:
- pH
- Bench-scale treatment evaluations
- Total Halogens
- Flash Point
- PCB analysis
- Metals analysis
- BS&W analysis
- Solvent Scan
- BTU analysis
- Provide analytical data used to verify outbound blend quality, treatment effectiveness, and compliance with customer and regulatory specifications.
- Prepare representative samples and perform routine laboratory testing in accordance with established procedures and quality standards.
- Accurately record, review, and maintain laboratory results within company databases and laboratory information systems.
- Perform routine calibration, verification, maintenance, and troubleshooting of laboratory equipment, including pH meters, balances, flash point testers, gas chromatographs (GC), GC/MS, ICP instruments, calorimeters, microcoulometers, and other analytical equipment.
- Perform laboratory quality control activities, including calibration checks, standards, blanks, duplicates, and proficiency testing to ensure analytical accuracy and data integrity.
- Communicate laboratory results and testing trends to Operations, QA/QC, and Site Leadership to support production decisions and process optimization.
- Assist Operations with evaluating treatment performance and blend adjustments through laboratory analysis.
- Generate laboratory reports and provide analytical results as requested.
- Maintain laboratory inventory, testing supplies, and chemical stock while ensuring proper storage and housekeeping.
- Maintain laboratory records in accordance with company procedures, regulatory requirements, and record retention policies.
- Ensure laboratory equipment remains in proper working condition by identifying maintenance needs and coordinating repairs when necessary.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment.
- Comply with all company safety policies and applicable EPA, OSHA, DOT, RCRA, and environmental regulations.
- Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE) and safely handle laboratory chemicals and hazardous materials.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance laboratory efficiency, testing accuracy, and operational performance.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
- High school diploma or GED required; Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
- One (1) to three (3) years of laboratory, environmental, industrial, chemical processing, or waste management experience preferred.
- Experience performing laboratory analysis on industrial, environmental, or waste materials preferred.
- Working knowledge of analytical laboratory techniques, laboratory instrumentation, and quality control procedures.
- Experience operating and calibrating laboratory equipment such as pH meters, balances, flash point testers, GC, GC/MS, ICP, calorimeters, microcoulometers, and related analytical instruments preferred.
- Ability to accurately prepare samples, document laboratory results, and maintain testing records.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to read, understand, and follow laboratory methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and testing protocols.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and computerized laboratory data management systems.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to Operations, QA/QC, and Site Leadership.
- Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including respirators when required, and safely work around hazardous materials.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Ability to use hands and fingers for laboratory testing, sample preparation, and equipment operation.
- Ability to bend, reach, stoop, and occasionally climb while performing laboratory duties.
- Frequently lift up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to work in laboratory and industrial environments with exposure to chemicals, noise, dust, and varying temperatures.
- Ability to safely wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with facility safety requirements.
Req Benefits:
At VLS our employees are the core of our business. As such, we value our employees' physical, mental, and financial wellbeing by providing first class, high value benefits and resources that are centered around a proper work-life balance.
Physical and Mental Wellbeing: VLS is committed to supporting our employees' physical and mental health by providing:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - Based on each employee's need, we offer various high quality, low-premium medical, dental and vision plans, which include our first-in-class concierge service (available in Spanish) and 2nd MD Offering.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Healthcare Saving Accounts (HSA) - Set aside pre-tax money to use toward your health care spending. VLS provides an employer contribution to all HSA accounts.
Time Off - We offer 11 (eleven) company-paid holidays, in addition to our paid time off and voluntary time off plans.
Employee Assistance Program - 24/7 assistance and counseling services that are 100% confidential and free to all employees and their dependents.
Telemedicine - All employees and dependents receive free virtual visits by licensed practitioners any time, any day...including holidays!
Financial and Retirement Planning: At VLS we offer the following to assist our employees with planning around their finances and saving for retirement:
401(k) - Generous 401(k) matching program after 90 days of employment. VLS will match up to 5% of your pay every pay period. Matching contributions are 100% vested immediately.
Life and Disability Insurance - Employer-paid life insurance, along with short-term and long-term disability coverage provided to all full-time employees.
Voluntary Life Protection Plans - Employees and their dependents can elect coverage in our voluntary life/add, critical illness, hospital indemnity and accident plans.
Rewards and Recognition Programs - We celebrate our employees! From birthdays to anniversaries and other various milestones/achievements, we have programs in place to recognize our employees.
Financial Planning - Free One on One financial planning with a certified Financial Planner/Coach.
Employee Discount - Employee Discount Program for savings on everyday goods and services at various retailers throughout the US.
