Laboratory Manager

Come join TFE, Inc. as a Laboratory Manager supporting the Department of Energy at the ARS Mobile Sample Management Office in Piketon, Ohio.

Who is TFE, Inc.? Founded in 1989, TFE, Inc. provides professional, technical, and administrative personnel and services in the U.S. nuclear energy complex and other commercial ventures. With over 150 employees and growing, we know our employees are the key to our success. We value their ideas and opinions and want to help them grow in knowledge, skills, and abilities. TFE provides competitive pay, generous PTO, paid holidays, and a top-notch employee assistance program. Our benefit offerings include an excellent 401k plan, medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and other ancillary benefits.

The Laboratory Manager (LM) provides day- to-day supervision of the laboratory operations, reporting and personnel. The LM assures compliance with the TNI standard, DOD/DOE QSM, and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, as well as AIHA and ANAB policies and requirements, other state and federal regulations, including EPA drinking water requirements. The LM ensures sample throughput is timely, meeting client turnaround times (TAT) and providing accurate, clear results. The LM resolves issues that arise with personnel, equipment, sample analyses, etc. and provides back-up support to others as needed. The LM oversees the handling and disposition of all waste generated by the analytical laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Provides overall supervision of laboratory activities which include day-to-day lab operations and reporting of results.
• Monitors standards of performance in QC/QA for subcontract laboratory performance.
• Reviews and monitor's timeliness of laboratory reports.
• Monitors the validity of the analysis performed and the data generated in the sub lab, assuring it is reliable and accurate.
• Maintains an open door policy and a receptive environment to all staff.
• May assist in investigations of prohibited practices and/or scientific misconduct. As far as possible, protects the identity of individuals who report and were reported for possible prohibited practices and/or scientific misconduct, and expressly prohibits retaliation of staff against team members who, in good faith, report issues of concern.
• Implements requirements of the data integrity program.
• Is committed to the development and implementation of the management system and to continually improving its effectiveness.
• Resolves technical problems, SOW conformance, turn times, and bottle requirements.
• Monitors lab testing and reporting activities to determine conformance with authorized policies, procedures, and governing regulations.
• Makes appropriate recommendations for correction and improvement when necessary.
• Assists with facilitating overall lab updates in keeping with company strategic planning.
• Instructs and supervises lab personnel. Provides guidance and technical direction to less experienced laboratory personnel.
• Assists in the growth and development of the laboratory capabilities. This may include planning and recommending and/or making changes in materials, techniques or procedures to optimize the value of the lab.
• Ensures staff is free from undue internal and external pressures.
• Ensures personnel are aware of the importance of their activities.
• Ensures the safety of laboratory employees, clients and visitors.
• Protects the company and client's confidential information and proprietary rights.
• Avoids laboratory involvement in activities that diminish confidence in competence, impartiality, judgement or operational integrity.
• Assists in complying and keeping current with international and national standards, federal regulations, state regulations and method development to ensure the laboratory is compliant with the most recent applicable publications and where multiple regulations/requirements exist ensures the most stringent is followed.
• Instills a safety conscious environment to protect employees and property.
• Comply with laboratory safety standards through proper handling of potentially hazardous chemical and radiological agents and/or biological sources in the workplace.
• Ensures that appropriate communication processes are established within the laboratory and that communication takes place regarding the effectiveness of the management system.
• Monitors inventory levels, orders materials and supplies in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Implements and maintains the ARS Waste Management Plan.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Authorities

• Authority to resolve all technical laboratory issues.
• Authority to initiate and approve corrective actions.
• Authority to stop work and reporting of data.
• Authority to resume work and data reporting, following corrective action.
• Signatory Authority for test reports.
• Signatory Authority for analytical and quality procedures and manuals.
• Signatory Authority for Non-conformance reports and corrective action plans.

Education and Experience

• Bachelors in chemical, environmental, biological, physical sciences or engineering with at least 20 college semester credit hours in chemistry. A masters or doctoral degree in one of the above disciplines may be subbed for one year of experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience related to environmental analyses
• Minimum two (2) years radiochemistry experience.
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience in a supervisory role.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors

• Exemplary supervisory and leadership skills including but not limited to strong communication, active listening, emotional intelligence, effective delegation, problem-solving, conflict resolution, time management, adaptability, coaching and feedback, and the ability to inspire and motivate a team.
• Demonstrated honesty and integrity, respect for diversity, and fostering of a culture of trust and accountability.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
• Ability to successfully communicate with a diverse audience.
• Strong computer skills (Excel and LIMS database use)
• Valid state driver's license

Physical and Working Conditions

Light work-significant degree of walking or standing, lifting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently. Individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with reasonable accommodation.

Disclaimer

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not a complete list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with it.

TFE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.