TCLP & Product Ecology Lab Tech (Entry-Level, Sunday-Thursday)

Des Plaines, IL
Full Time
Entry Level
 
Job Title: Laboratory Technician – TCLP & Product EcologyFLSA Status: non-exempt
Reports to: Inorganics ManagerDepartment: Inorganics
Job Grade: Entry-level Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

The Laboratory Technician in TCLP & Product Ecology will be responsible for conducting a variety of laboratory tests and analyses to support environmental and product testing. This role includes a significant focus on TCLP and product ecology analysis, following established lab methods and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Key Responsibilities:
  • Set up, conduct, and document qualitative and quantitative analyses of solid and soil samples.
  • Prepare, digest, and analyze samples, ensuring consistency with lab SOPs.
  • Perform Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) (76.5%), Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (SPLP) (13.5%), and Zero-Headspace Extraction (ZHE) (10%) tests.
  • Carry out wet chemistry procedures, including hexavalent chromium (CR6) preparation and soil pH measurement of soil samples.
  • Perform product ecology testing, including sample preparation for phthalates analysis, X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF), and results reporting.
  • Operate and maintain lab equipment (e.g., XRF, grinders, pH meters, scales, thermometers, auto titrators, tumblers, filters, and fume hoods) and troubleshoot as necessary.
  • Calibrate XRF equipment before each use and create control chart validation (CCV) reports with high spike levels.
  • Monitor process parameters, evaluate anomalies, and report results in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS - Element 7).
  • Ensure product quality compliance with lab standards and specifications.
  • Complete required laboratory documentation in logbooks, maintenance books, standard books, bench sheets, etc.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment, following disposal procedures according to SOPs.
  • Track and manage supplies needed for successful test runs.
  • Conduct routine hazard assessments of materials and identify any potential risks or issues with equipment or materials.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, or biology.
  • Ability to learn laboratory information systems (LIMS), databases, and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and form conclusions.
  • Highly organized, with an ability to follow specific rules and patterns for analysis and equipment setup.
Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to stand for a long periods of time
  • Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds using correct and safe lifting techniques.
  • Must be able to work in refrigerated storage areas for short periods of time.
  • Must be able to wear all PPE required for the position.
Equipment and Instruments Used:
XRF, grinder, pH meters, scales, thermometers, auto titrator, tumbler, filters, fume hoods.
 

Sterling Labs is committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We expect every member of the Sterling Labs community to do their part to cultivate and maintain an environment where everyone has the opportunity to feel included, and is afforded the respect and dignity they deserve.

Decisions related to hiring, compensating, training, evaluating performance, or terminating are made fairly, and we provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates and employees. We examine our unconscious biases and take responsibility for always striving to create an inclusive environment that makes every employee and candidate feel welcome.

Share

Apply for this position

Required*
We've received your resume. Click here to update it.
Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or Paste resume

Paste your resume here or Attach resume file

To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.

Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status



Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

You must enter your name and date
Human Check*