QA Specialist - Environmental/Chemistry

Location: Des Plaines, IL, 60016
Department: Laboratory Administration - Quality Assurance
Reports to: General Manager
Type: Full-time, In-Person

Company Overview:

We are a DoD, NELAP, ANAB, and AIHA-accredited lab, with state-of-the-art technology and current testing methodologies, delivering high-integrity data for over 40 years. Sterling Labs invests in our team's success. We are looking for highly motivated people who want to invest in their skill sets and careers, be rewarded for initiative, and thrive in a collaborative environment. Our analytical data has a significant impact on protecting human health and the environment. We value teamwork, continuous improvement, and growth, as well as empowered ethical decision-making.

Sterling Labs' growth has been directly tied to our clients’ needs for 40 years. We are a growth-oriented organization that prioritizes our clients. We partner with environmental consultants, engineering firms, and government agencies to provide analytical data that helps ensure our environment remains protected. From wastewater sampling and analysis in greater Chicago to nationwide service with Department of Defense partners, our commitment to our clients drives our growth.

WE PRESERVE THE PLANET TO PROTECT THE FUTURE

Our Core Values

• We strive for Integrity in Everything We Do. We're honest and transparent in our actions and decisions.
• We are Customer-Focused. We prioritize our customers' needs and value their feedback.
• We are Never Satisfied and are dedicated to continuous improvement. We always seek ways to improve and adapt to changing needs.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Quality Assurance Specialist to join our team. This individual will play a critical role in creating, implementing, and owning a new standardized process for establishing instrumentation detection and reporting limits, which are required for ongoing regulatory compliance.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape how the lab conducts and tracks quarterly detection and reporting limit studies, ensuring full completion across all departments. You will also be responsible for driving change management, ensuring adoption of the new process, and holding the organization accountable for timely study completion.

This position is ideal for someone with strong organizational and execution skills, a proactive mindset, and a solid understanding of quality assurance principles in a laboratory setting.

Key Responsibilities:

Phase 1: Learning & Development (Q4 2025)

• Learn the lab’s operations, regulatory requirements, and current quality assurance practices.
• Evaluate existing practices for quarterly studies and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop a standardized approach and framework for quarterly studies.

Phase 2: Implementation & Ownership (Q1 2026 and beyond)

• Implement the standardized quarterly study process across all departments.
• Ensure the process includes organization, tracking, execution, and completion of all required studies within quarterly deadlines.
• Drive change management by engaging with department team leads and managers, training staff, and ensuring accountability.
• Track and report on progress, ensuring 100% completion of quarterly studies.

Future Growth Responsibilities (upon successful implementation):

• Expand role to include management of Corrective Action Reports (CARs), Internal Audits and Proficiency Testing (PTs).
• Implement scalable QA systems that support long-term compliance.
• Potential career growth into a senior leadership role within the Quality Assurance Program at Sterling.

Benefits and Compensation:

At Sterling Labs - EMT, we value and recognize our employees as the driving force behind our success. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive work environment. We know that the well-being of our employees is directly related to their productivity, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits packet for our full-time employees, which includes:

• Healthcare benefits: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Financial planning: 401(k), life insurance, and short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Work-Life Balance Benefits: Paid Time Off (including vacation, sick leave, and holidays).
• $24.04/hour to be paid biweekly with opportunity for overtime

Schedule

Monday through Friday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field (Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or related).
• 0–5 years of experience in quality assurance, laboratory operations, or regulatory compliance (environmental lab experience strongly preferred).
• Strong execution and accountability skills—able to take ownership of projects and see them through completion.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to track multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills to engage stakeholders and drive change.
• General knowledge of quality assurance principles, regulatory requirements (NELAP/ISO 17025), and laboratory operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with instrumentation limit studies, proficiency testing, or corrective/preventative action reports in an accredited laboratory environment.
• Familiarity with change management and process improvement methodologies.
• Previous supervisory or project management experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.04 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Des Plaines, IL 60016 (Required)

Work Location: In person