Laboratory Sample Management Specialist

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

GENERAL FUNCTIONS:

The Laboratory Sample Management Specialist II is responsible for accepting samples from clients (Internal and external) via couriers and on-site drops. This person is responsible for verifying/completing the chain of custody, properly logging samples into LIMS and placing the samples in designated storage areas and/or delivering samples to lab staff. Responsibilities also include tracking supplies for treatment at plants, sample scheduling and maintaining checklists for compliance samples being scheduled and received.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Receive drinking water, wastewater, and solid samples from clients, couriers, and shipping agents.
• Sample Receipt and Accessioning –
  • Receive samples for lab testing and verify contents against COC
  • Verify Chain of Custody (COC) is properly filled out
  • Samples meet temperature, shipping and preservation requirements
  • Receive samples into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Organize, label and stage samples in refrigerator, storage areas or hand-off to lab staff based on priority and hold time requirements.
• Prepares -
  • Sample collection kits, packages cooler and creates shipping labels
  • Fulfills client sample bottle ware and plant lab supply orders
• Manages Sample Reception and plant lab inventory including; bottle ware, labels, printer ink, reagents, etc. and notifies management for ordering supplies.
• Schedules pick-ups for subcontracted samples and coordinating all aspects for sample transfer - completing COC and ensuring proper sample volume and correct preservative.
• Monitoring/tracking compliance samples being scheduled, collected and received to ensure regulatory requirements at met on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis by utilizing LIMS, checklists and monitoring schedules.
• Making modifications in LIMS on sample information and/or tests ordered.
• Communicate with internal and external clients
• Communicate effectively with laboratory personnel to ensure samples are routed appropriately and time-sensitive samples are identified promptly.
• Perform other related laboratory sample management and project coordination duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred
• Minimal of 3-years working within a laboratory, sample management, regulated quality control environment or equivalent strongly preferred
• Previous experience utilizing sampling schedules is necessary

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of sample receiving and Chain of Custody practices
• Ability to recognize incomplete or inconsistent sample documentation and take appropriate steps to resolve issues
• Ability to work effectively with laboratory staff, sample collectors, clients, couriers, and subcontract laboratories
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook Email, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Ability to gain proficiency with LIMS software with provided training
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team-fostered multi-tasking environment

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.                         
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Handle drinking water and wastewater samples containing chemicals used for preservation.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.