The Laboratory Technician / Hazardous Materials Analyst supports identification, screening, analysis, documentation, and reporting of hazardous or potentially hazardous materials encountered during OCONUS natural-disaster recovery operations. This role processes samples, maintains chain-of-custody records, supports testing workflows, and helps provide reliable information for safe handling, remediation, and disposal decisions.
The ideal candidate has laboratory, environmental, industrial-hygiene, hazardous-materials, or analytical-testing experience and can work carefully within controlled procedures. This role requires strong attention to detail, data integrity, sample handling, PPE use, and safety practices in a field-connected laboratory environment.
About Critical Response Strategies
Critical Response Strategies (CRS) provides mission-critical support to government, emergency management, and community resilience operations. We support complex programs that require disciplined coordination, technical expertise, regulatory compliance, and practical solutions in fast-moving environments.
CRS Purpose
Critical Response Strategies' purpose is to bring order to complexity. Every position supports CRS's ability to deliver disciplined, professional, and mission-focused services in complex operational environments.
CRS Values
Mission First - Every role supports mission execution and recovery operations.
Integrity in Action - We earn trust through disciplined actions, honest communication, and accountability.
Respect for People & Purpose - We treat people professionally, work collaboratively, and remain focused on the communities and missions we serve.
Key Responsibilities
• Sample Processing & Analysis: Receive, label, prepare, process, and analyze assigned samples using approved procedures, equipment, and quality-control measures.
• Hazardous Materials Support: Assist with research, identification, screening, and documentation of hazardous materials, waste streams, contaminated media, or related field findings.
• Chain of Custody: Maintain accurate sample logs, chain-of-custody records, labeling, storage, transfers, and disposal documentation.
• Data Integrity & Reporting: Record results accurately, support data review, prepare laboratory or field reports, and promptly flag anomalies or quality concerns.
• Laboratory Safety: Follow chemical hygiene, PPE, waste-handling, decontamination, and equipment-use procedures; report spills, exposures, or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Field Coordination: Coordinate with environmental, safety, HAZMAT, waste, and operations personnel regarding sampling requirements, results, and documentation needs.
Required Qualifications
• Citizenship & Passport: U.S. citizenship and a current, valid U.S. passport are required for this position. Candidates must be able to meet applicable overseas entry, travel, credentialing, and client requirements.
• Technical Education: Associate degree, bachelor's degree, technical certificate, or equivalent documented training in chemistry, environmental science, biology, materials science, laboratory technology, or a closely related field is required.
• Laboratory Experience: At least 2 years of laboratory, analytical testing, environmental sampling, hazardous materials, industrial hygiene, or comparable technical experience is required.
• Documentation Skills: Ability to maintain accurate laboratory records, sample logs, chain-of-custody documentation, and written test or observation reports.
• Safety Knowledge: Working knowledge of PPE, chemical hygiene, sample handling, waste management, and safe laboratory practices.
Preferred Qualifications
• HAZMAT Credentials: HAZWOPER, hazardous-materials technician, environmental sampling, industrial hygiene, or related credentials are preferred.
• Analytical Methods: Experience with field-screening instruments, fuel or chemical testing, air/water/soil sampling, or regulated laboratory methods is preferred.
• Spanish Language Skills: Bilingual Spanish/English communication skills are a plus.
• Deployment Experience: Prior experience supporting disaster response, remote worksites, austere environments, or OCONUS assignments is preferred.
Work Environment
• Citizenship & Passport: Must be a U.S. Citizen and possess a current, valid U.S. passport. Ability to meet applicable entry, travel, credentialing, and client requirements for overseas assignments is required.
• Deployment Flexibility: Must be willing and able to deploy OCONUS or to other assigned disaster-response locations based on operational need. Geographic location and deployment duration may vary by assignment.
• Schedule Readiness: Must be available to work 12-hour shifts, 7 days per week, including nights, weekends, and holidays, for the duration of the assigned deployment as operational needs require.
• Deployment Environment: This is a field-based disaster deployment role that may require work in high heat, humidity, tropical conditions, heavy rain, and rapidly changing operational environments.
• Site Hazards: Personnel may encounter damaged or unsteady buildings, uneven terrain, debris, heavy equipment, limited infrastructure, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Employees must follow all safety protocols, PPE requirements, and site-access controls.
• Physical & Travel Requirements: The role requires the ability to travel independently and safely perform job-related duties in demanding field conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Variable Deployment: Assignments may be short- or long-term and may require relocation, extended time away from home, and flexibility in work location, schedule, and living conditions.
• Screening Requirements: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable background, identity, work authorization, drug screening, credential verification, and contract-specific requirements.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Critical Response Strategies, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
Drug-Free Workplace
Critical Response Strategies is a drug-free workplace. Employment may be contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment screening requirements, which may include drug testing, background checks, verification of identity and work authorization, credential verification, and any other position-specific requirements. Employees are expected to comply with CRS policies, site requirements, and all applicable safety and conduct standards throughout employment.
