FTIR Spectrometer Technician and Education Coordinator

Powell River Educational Services Society; Powell River; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community service organization in Powell River is seeking a full-time employee to operate drug checking technologies and support marginalized clients. Responsibilities include communicating results to clients and facilitating sample testing. Ideal candidates should have knowledge of harm reduction issues and strong interpersonal skills. This position offers a salary of $27.15 per hour and is temporary for 6 months with a possibility of extension.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to remain neutral and professional when supporting marginalized clients.
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems independently.
• Experience in conducting drug checking analysis.

Responsibilities

• Operate point-of-care drug checking technologies.
• Communicate analysis results to clients and answer questions.
• Facilitate sample storage and transportation for testing.
• Assist in training drug checking technicians.
• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the service.

Skills

Knowledge of harm reduction issues

Strong interpersonal skills

Computer literacy

Effective verbal and written communication

Ability to manage multiple priorities

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

FTIR spectrometers

Fentanyl test strips

Job description

Sector: Health care and social assistance

Posting Date: August 12, 2025

Closing Date: Aug 26, 2025

Location: Powell River/qathet Regional District

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9AM-5PM

Salary Or Wage: $27.15 per hour

Start Date: As soon as possible

Job Type: Full Time

List of Requirements

• Knowledge and awareness of harm reduction issues and practices.
• Demonstrated ability to remain neutral, non-judgmental and professional when interacting with and supporting marginalized client populations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the confidentiality and sensitivity of the role.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment and the ability to learn new technologies.
• Computer literacy including experience in Microsoft Office suite and database applications.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent ability to work and learn independently with minimal supervision and collaborate in a larger team.
• Ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients and stakeholders, including strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated professionalism and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and resolve problems.

List of Duties

• Operate point-of-care drug checking technologies including fentanyl test strips and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers
• Communicate drug checking analysis results to clients at point-of-care and answer any questions related to drug checking methods and outcomes
• Facilitate the proper onsite storage and transportation of samples for laboratory testing
  Support clients by highlighting relevant harm reduction information and liaising with site staff
• Follow proper evaluation, data collection, and device storage/transportation protocols
• Assists in the education and training of drug checking technicians and harm reduction service providers
• Coordinates day-to-day operations and schedules sites for use and any transportation of the FTIR
• Full-time temporary (for 6-months, with possibility of extension)
• We appreciate all applications, however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
• As an inclusive employer, we would like to make the recruitment process as accessible as possible. Please contact us to let us know how we can best support you.

How to Apply

To apply for this job please use one of the methods listed below:

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