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Laboratory Operations Specialist
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Job Summary
Laboratory Operations Specialist
Purdue University – Energy & Utilities
Play a key role in keeping Purdue’s campus running safely, efficiently, and reliably. At Purdue, the work of utility and lab professionals underpins world-class teaching and research, helping create the high quality environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive.
Position overview
The Laboratory Operations Specialist will provide technical leadership for plant water and steam chemistry programs that support boilers, cooling systems, chilled water, and other critical utilities serving campus. This role combines lab operations, data analysis, contracting support, and hands-on problem solving in a highly collaborative environment.
- Support the development and disbursement of bid packages for water chemistry, RO systems, and related service contracts
- Provide technical oversight, documentation, and reporting of key water treatment indicators and steam quality, maintaining accurate and timely records
- Analyze chemical demand, performance, consumption, and cost data to understand short- and long-term impacts and identify opportunities for efficiency and optimization
- Identify trends to drive predictive and corrective actions that improve water chemistry, steam quality, and system reliability
- Support commissioning processes, including boiler chemical feeds, testing, and recordkeeping, ensuring treatments and system performance meet regulations, standards, and internal requirements.
Program leadership and compliance
- Provide direction and oversight to plant chemistry programs, reviewing data, monitoring performance, and communicating results with operations, maintenance, and leadership
- Maintain regulatory compliance through proper sampling, analyses, documentation, reporting, and record retention
- Write clear technical reports and support the training and development of lab personnel
- Maintain analytical equipment and instrumentation, and support quality-related preventive maintenance programs
- Perform calculations for regulatory reports and chemical evaluations to support accurate decision making.
- Support the evaluation and improvement of operating procedures related to water and steam chemistry, testing, and treatment
- Investigate and evaluate new chemicals, equipment, processes, and procedures to improve the quality control program and reduce cost and risk
- Analyze and treat boiler water, cooling tower water, chilled water, potable water, condensate, deionized water, process wastewater, lube oil, coal, ash, and other plant systems to maintain proper operating limits
- Respond to plant chemistry issues, chemical spills, and other emergencies on a 24 hour basis as part of a safety focused team
- Demonstrate and promote a safety first culture, including proper use of PPE and adherence to established lab and plant safety procedures.
Why Purdue
At Purdue, your expertise supports a mission-driven university community and a campus that values innovation, collaboration, and inclusion. You’ll join a stable, team oriented environment with opportunities to grow professionally while contributing to safe, reliable, and sustainable utility systems that power learning and discovery every day.
What We're Looking For
Education and Experience Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related subject required
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in water chemistry or related field
- Extensive experience with lab and industrial safety and personal protective equipment
- Experience with appropriate calculation procedures to monitor performance of various plant equipment Equivalent combination of high school diploma/GED and 7 years of experience will also be considered
Preferred:
Previous experience with utility plant or industrial de-ionized and reverse osmosis boiler feed-water systems, boiler and chilled water quality, and lubrication oil testing
Skills Needed:
- Able to adapt and react to emergency situations and work under pressure
- Highly developed oral and written communication skills necessary
- Knowledge and experience with common lab equipment and techniques (Ion Chromatography preferred)
- Proficient in applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, TEAMS, and Outlook Work effectively with people from different viewpoints and backgrounds
Preferred:
Knowledge of power plant quality control procedures and various inspection techniquesAdditional Information:
- Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
- A background check will be required for employment in this position
- FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
- Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days
Career Stream
Professional 2
- Pay Band S065
- Job Code #20003177
Career path maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/
Who We Are
Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Purdue University is an EOE employer.
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