Laboratory Sample Custodian

Paracel Laboratories Ltd.; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee assistance

Group RRSP

Profit sharing

Job summary

Paracel Laboratories Ltd. is seeking a full-time Sample Custodian for our Ottawa Laboratory. You will oversee the life cycle of samples, act as the frontline liaison with clients, and ensure accurate data entry in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

This on-site role includes benefits such as Employee Assistance, Group RRSP, and Profit Sharing. Join a collaborative team committed to QA/QC and delivering reliable environmental testing services.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma; post-secondary education is desired but not essential.
• Experience in Inventory Control or Materials Management is an asset.
• Strong communication skills with ability to build relationships across staff levels.

Responsibilities

• Unpack and inspect client samples and verify chain of custody, IDs, preservation, temperature, and hold times.
• Greet clients and answer calls, directing inquiries as needed.
• Communicate with clients to assist with submissions, inquiries and issues.
• Use LIMS for sample login, label generation, work orders, and tracking.
• Label containers accurately and distribute them to lab areas.
• Inspect and collect samples from after-hours lockers.
• Work with Account Managers to verify login information and resolve discrepancies.
• Perform sample pre-treatment as required.
• Prepare field supplies for clients (containers, media, coolers, chain of custody forms, guidance docs).
• Manage inventory of field supplies (containers, media, filters, preservatives, forms, coolers, ice packs).
• Handle shipping of samples and transfers to other locations or subcontractors.
• Coordinate with lab supervisors on priority or special samples.
• Manage sample storage, retrieval, and disposal as directed by Lab Manager.
• Comply with QA/QC and Health & Safety policies.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Data entry

MS Office

Education

High School Diploma

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Who we are

Paracel Laboratories Ltd. is a full-service environmental and Indoor Air Quality laboratory. Our main laboratory facilities are located in Ottawa and are supported by an environmental lab in Hamilton and microbiology and asbestos laboratories in Mississauga. Additional service depots are located in Kingston, London, Niagara, Windsor, and Richmond Hill. We support a broad spectrum of projects for professional clients from across Canada. Our client base primarily consists of major environmental consultants, all levels of government and industrial manufacturers located predominantly in Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara, Eastern and Southwestern Ontario.

The Role

We are currently recruiting for a full-time Sample Custodian individual to be our frontline liaison between our clients and lab operations at our Ottawa Laboratory. Working within the Sample Management group, and in conjunction with our entire service team, the individual will oversee the life cycle of the samples. The ideal candidate for this role is detail-oriented, a strong communicator, and a team player with superb data entry skills. This is a full-time, permanent role. This position is an existing vacancy.

Compensation

This position offers a salary range of $18.50 - $21.00 an hour commensurate with experience. The compensation package includes full benefits including an Employee Family assistance program, a Group RRSP plan, and a Profit-Sharing program.

Location

This role is on-site, at 25 Northside Rd, Unit C, Nepean, Ontario, K2S 8H1.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Unpack and inspect client and courier-delivered samples to ensure integrity and verify details (e.g., chain of custody, sample IDs, preservation, temperature, and hold times).
• Greet client walk-ins and answer incoming phone calls, providing assistance or directing inquiries as needed.
• Communicate with clients to assist with sample submissions, inquiries, and issues.
• Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for sample login, label generation, work order reports, and sample tracking.
• Label sample containers accurately and distribute them to designated laboratory areas.
• Inspect and collect samples from after-hours sample lockers.
• Work closely with Account Managers to verify login information and resolve submission discrepancies.
• Perform sample pre-treatment as required.
• Prepare field supplies for clients (e.g., containers, sampling media, coolers, field QC supplies, chain of custody forms, sampling guidance documents).
• Manage inventory of field supplies, including containers, media, filters, preservatives, chain of custody forms, coolers, and ice packs.
• Handle shipping of sample containers to clients and the transfer of samples to other locations or subcontractors.
• Coordinate with lab supervisors regarding priority samples or those with special requirements.
• Manage sample storage, retrieval, and disposal as delegated by the Lab Manager.
• Comply with company QA/QC protocols and Health & Safety policies.
• Perform other tasks as assigned or dictated by the position.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma-Post secondary education is desired, but not essential.
• Experience in Inventory Control or Materials Management would be considered an asset.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to establish and maintain productive work relationships with various levels of staff, to support sample management process.
• Organized and keen attention to detail.
• Very good computer skills – MS office. Data Entry experience an asset.
• Demonstrated initiative, detail-oriented with a positive attitude and ability to multi-task.
• A proven customer service orientation with a style that demonstrates timely response.
• Quick learner, effective problem solver and demonstrates ability to follow procedures.
• Ability to work effectively and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Lab experience is not essential and training will be provided.
• Must be physically capable of lifting moving boxes and or coolers up to 50lbs on occasion.

Paracel Laboratories is an equal-opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please let us know, and all efforts to provide the appropriate accommodation will be put into place.