Job Description

Job Summary

We have an opening for a Laboratory Technician to work in partnership with leadership and employees at our Stevenson Mill in Stevenson, Alabama. Stevenson is centrally located between Chattanooga, Tennessee and Huntsville, Alabama. This is a unionized facility with approximately 418 employees.



You will be conducting laboratory testing, laboratory equipment maintenance and calibration, and environmental and mill process sampling, testing, and evaluations. This work is done to ensure mill processes and products meet compliance requirements for quality and environmental standards. You may assist in trials, quality testing, and production optimization evaluations, and perform other duties to assist mill operations in meeting process quality expectations. Safety performance is a core value and safety and housekeeping standards will be met at all times.

Career Opportunity

Key responsibilities include:

Primarily responsible for testing, evaluating and analyzing pulp and paper samples for adherence to quality and functionality requirements. Primarily responsible for the testing equipment remaining calibrated and in compliance with ISO requirements. A documented tracking of the performance of this is required. Secondarily responsible for assisting the environmental lab technician in testing, evaluating and reporting environmental compliance, including collection of samples, conducting environmental tests, calibrating test equipment, and reporting the results for wastewater, land application, stormwater, groundwater, river surveys, boiler stack gases, etc.

This position will schedule, monitor, and interpret required laboratory sample analysis for the Mill's Technical Department. This includes:

Collaborative Testing of "round robin" samples TAPPI standard compliance Weekly pulp consistency checks to determine accuracy of meters Weekly sampling and evaluation of digester yields Routine checks to determine VFA content Storage and retrieval of retained paper samples for one year Sampling, mailing, results analysis, and filing for outside service paper tests Maintaining housekeeping in the central lab, pulp lab, and dry end paper labs Ensure adequate supplies of lab chemicals, lab tools, and test equipment parts Be the chief troubleshooter on the equipment in his/her area. Monitor, analyze, and interpret: Lab data, Process data, Spreadsheets, Pi data & trends, Operator input, Lab QA/QC data and control charts for compliance testing



Additional responsibilities may include:

Liquor testing and analysis using Ion chromatograph Recovery Boiler Reduction Efficiency testing Sample, test, and prepare reports for various routing operating balances Pulp quality analysis (fiber classification, chip classification, freeness, etc.) Paper quality analysis Qualitative and quantitative testing of various unknown samples Special testing associated with process trials

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or other technical equivalent, or experience in lieu of degree. 2+ years of experience working in a technical laboratory or relevant experience Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

Knowledge - Skills - Abilities

Awareness and engagement with safety systems to ensure you and colleagues are safe every day Extensive working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel



Strong attention to detail and accuracy Prioritization skills and the ability to handle multiple deadlines and requirements General knowledge of safe and precise laboratory techniques Knowledge of statistical methods and graphical techniques Excellent verbal and written communication skills Elementary mechanical and electrical skills for troubleshooting equipment Knowledge of Pi Systems data historian (or be able to learn within 6 months of hire) Ability to safely work around chemicals and heavy equipment Demonstrated leadership and ability to drive change Ability to interact with employees at all levels Familiarity with equipment such as:

Ion Chromatograph, pH, DO, Conductivity, Turbidity, Porosity, Dew Point, Viscosity, moisture meters, computerized and mechanical paper test instruments, electronic balances, ultraviolet spectrometer, portable gas analyzer, personal computer