Lab Waste Technician

Natera; San Carlos (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Wellness programs

Job summary

The Laboratory Waste Technician at Natera supports the EHS team by safely collecting, labeling, and transporting chemical, biological, and mixed waste across laboratories and research spaces. You’ll ensure regulatory compliance, proper waste manifests, and timely pickups in a fast-paced environment.

You’ll gain hands-on experience with RCRA and DOT regulations, while working with lab staff to maintain compliant waste accumulation areas and drive efficiency in day-to-day operations.

Qualifications

• Must understand regulatory compliance and waste handling procedures.
• Experience with lab safety practices and chemical hazard communication.
• Ability to obtain RCRA Hazardous Waste training within 90 days.
• Ability to obtain DOT Hazmat Certification within 90 days.

Responsibilities

• Collect, segregate, label, and transport chemical, biological, and mixed waste.
• Monitor waste accumulation dates and labeling compliance.
• Move and manage biohazardous waste per biosafety guidelines.
• Prepare hazardous waste shipments per DOT regulations.
• Support on-time waste pickups and inventory needs.
• Maintain records, manifests, and lab inspections with EHS supervision.
• Resolve operational bottlenecks as they arise.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Safety practices

SDS interpretation

Attention to detail

Written communication

Urgency and accuracy

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s degree or related coursework

Job description

The Laboratory Waste Technician is an entry-level position within the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department, responsible for the safe collection, handling, and management of laboratory waste streams in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This role supports day-to-day waste management operations across laboratory and research spaces, ensuring proper accumulation, labeling, packaging, and disposition of chemical, biological, and mixed waste. Reporting directly to the EHS Supervisor, you will work collaboratively with laboratory staff to maintain compliant and organized waste accumulation areas. You will own hazardous waste operations on the floor, gaining immediate, hands-on experience driving compliance with RCRA and DOT regulations in a fast-paced lab environment.

Core Responsibilities

• Collect, segregate, label, and transport chemical, biological, and mixed waste from laboratory accumulation areas in accordance with RCRA satellite and central accumulation area requirements.
• Monitor waste accumulation start dates, container integrity, and labeling compliance throughout laboratory and research spaces to ensure regulatory deadlines are met.
• Move and manage biohazardous waste, including regulated medical waste and sharps, in compliance with applicable biosafety and institutional guidelines.
• Support hazardous waste shipment preparation in accordance with DOT regulations, including proper packaging, labeling, and marking of waste containers prior to off-site pickup.
• Keep lab operations moving quickly and without disruption by anticipating supply needs and executing waste pickups flawlessly.
• Partner with the EHS Supervisor to drive regulatory compliance, taking active ownership of recordkeeping, waste manifests, and lab inspections.
• Step in to resolve operational bottlenecks as they arise.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s degree or coursework in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related field preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in a laboratory, warehouse, facilities, or environmental services role; internship or volunteer experience in EHS will be considered.
• Ability to obtain RCRA Hazardous Waste training certification within 90 days of hire (training provided).
• Ability to obtain DOT Hazmat Certification (49 CFR) within 90 days of hire (training provided).

Capabilities & Competencies

• Working knowledge of, or demonstrated ability to learn, RCRA hazardous waste regulations (40 CFR Parts 260-270) and DOT hazardous materials transportation requirements (49 CFR).
• Familiarity with laboratory safety practices, chemical hazard communication (GHS/SDS), and biosafety procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret safety data sheets (SDS), waste labels, and regulatory guidance documents.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to regulatory compliance and documentation accuracy.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; ability to work cooperatively with laboratory personnel, researchers, and EHS team members.
• Executes with urgency and accuracy. You prioritize tasks independently and keep processes moving forward in a high-volume research setting.

Working Conditions

• Duties are performed primarily in laboratory, storage, and loading dock environments; exposure to chemical odors, biological materials, and varying temperatures should be expected.
• This position requires the ability to lift and carry waste containers weighing up to 50 lbs, push or pull wheeled carts, and stand or walk for extended periods throughout a shift.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, safety glasses, lab coat, and respiratory protection is required; training will be provided.
• This position requires the ability to use a computer keyboard, communicate over the telephone, and read printed material.
• Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM.
• Travel: Up to 25%.

Compensation & Total Rewards

This range reflects a good-faith estimate of the base pay we reasonably expect to offer at the time of hire. Final compensation will vary based on experience, qualifications, and skills considerations.

• Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• 401(k) with company match
• Generous paid time off and company holidays
• Additional wellness and work-life benefits

Compensation Range

$22.84-28.56 USD

OUR OPPORTUNITY

Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women’s health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.

The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you’ll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you’ll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.

What We Offer

Competitive Benefits – Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.

Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.

If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.

Link: https://www.natera.com/notice-of-data-collection-california-residents/