Team Lead - SVOA Prep Laboratory

Onterris Payroll, LLC; Orange (CA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Onterris Payroll, LLC is seeking an experienced Team Lead for the Semi-Volatile Organics laboratory in Orange, CA. You will oversee daily extraction operations, provide technical direction, and mentor staff to deliver compliant, high-quality results.

The role requires a chemistry degree with at least four years of lab expe rience and a minimum one year of leadership. You will ensure SOPs, QA/QC, and regulatory standards are met while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field; equivalents considered.
• Minimum four years of hands-on environmental lab extraction experience.
• Minimum one year of leading staff, assigning work, monitoring workflow and promoting quality.
• Proficiency with EPA extraction methodologies: 3510, 3541, 3546, 3580.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily extraction activities and ensure samples are processed accurately within holding times.
• Train and mentor extraction staff and enforce SOP adherence.
• Coordinate workflow distribution and prioritize samples by turnaround time.
• Perform routine and complex extraction procedures per EPA methods and SOPs.
• Review documentation for completeness, accuracy and compliance.
• Support audits, investigations and corrective actions.
• Maintain an audit-ready laboratory and ensure safety compliance.
• Lead by example to uphold quality, safety and productivity standards.

Skills

EPA extraction methods knowledge

QA/QC and data integrity

Staff leadership and training

LIMS proficiency

Regulatory compliance interpretation

Analytical problem solving

Documentation excellence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related discipline

Tools

LIMS

Soxhlet/Microwave extraction equipment

Environmental testing instruments

Job description

About UsAt Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact."For Planet and Progress" is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.When you join us, you're not just forging a career, you're joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.

A Day in the Life

As a Team Lead in our Orange, CA, Laboratory, you'll work with the Group Leader to keep daily SVOA operations running smoothly. You'll be a hands‑on technical resource, supporting teammates, coordinating workflow, tackling complex extractions, and helping the team deliver quality results – safely, efficiently, and on time. The Semi‑volatile Extractions Team Lead is responsible for leading daily extraction operations within the Semi‑Volatile Organics (SVOA) laboratory. This position serves as a technical resource and mentor for extraction staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory methods, quality requirements, holding times, and laboratory productivity goals. The Team Lead performs complex sample preparation and extraction procedures, provides technical guidance, coordinates workflow, assists with training, and promotes a culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

The compensation range for this role is $26 to $30, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.

Department: Semi‑Volatile Organics (SVOA)

Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Responsibilities

• Ensure staff is properly trained and following approved SOPs.
• Lead daily extraction activities to ensure samples are processed accurately and within required holding times.
• Coordinate workload distribution and prioritize samples based on turnaround time commitments and project requirements.
• Perform routine and complex extraction procedures in accordance with approved SOPs and EPA methodologies.
• Review extraction documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Monitor extraction quality control performance and assist with investigations of out‑of‑control events, nonconformances, or corrective actions.
• Train and mentor extraction personnel on laboratory procedures, safety practices, and quality requirements.
• Assist group leader with staffing decisions, workflow planning, and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Ensure laboratory work areas remain organized, properly maintained, and audit‑ready.
• Assist with instrument and equipment maintenance, troubleshooting, and coordination of repairs.
• Support internal, client, regulatory, and accreditation audits as required.
• Promote compliance with all laboratory safety, quality assurance, and company policies.
• Act as a liaison between extraction staff and laboratory management regarding operational concerns and opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in method development, process optimization, and continuous improvement projects.
• Monitor consumable inventory, instrument readiness, and laboratory throughput to support uninterrupted operations.
• Reinforce laboratory safety practices, PPE requirements, and regulatory compliance.
• Provide day‑to‑day leadership and technical direction to extraction personnel.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new employees.
• Monitor employee competency and provide constructive coaching.
• Provide timely feedback regarding employee training progress, technical competency, quality compliance, and adherence to laboratory procedures.
• Lead by example in maintaining quality, safety, productivity, and professionalism standards.

Your Expertise and Skills

These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Minimum four years of hands‑on environmental laboratory extraction experience.
• Minimum one year of demonstrated ability to lead staff, assign work, monitor workflow and productivity and promote accountability to quality and performance standards.
• Demonstrated proficiency in the following EPA extraction methodologies: EPA 3510 – Separatory Funnel Liquid‑Liquid Extraction EPA 3541 – Soxhlet Extraction EPA 3546 – Microwave Extraction EPA 3580 – Waste Dilution.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound technical judgment.
• Strong understanding of QA/QC systems, data integrity principles, and audit readiness.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a technical resource for extraction personnel, including interpretation of quality control data, method requirements, and regulatory compliance expectation.
• Demonstrated understanding of extraction method performance, laboratory control limits, quality trends, and corrective action implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently investigate, diagnose and resolve technical, quality and workflow related issues.
• Proficiency with LIMS and laboratory data systems.
• Strong understanding of sample preservation, holding times, chain of custody requirements, and data defensibility.
• Experience working within a NELAC/TNI‑accredited or equivalent environmental laboratory.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Ability to stand for extended periods.

Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

Ability to work safely with solvents, acids, bases, and other laboratory chemicals.

Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

Preferred Skills

• Previous experience serving as a lead technician, senior technician, trainer, or acting supervisor.
• Experience with EPA methods 8270, 8081, 8082, 8151, or related environmental testing programs and their associated preparatory methods.
• Experience participating in audits, corrective actions, and quality investigations.
• Demonstrated success improving workflow efficiency, training programs, or laboratory performance metrics.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

The physical and environmental requirements below reflect what's typically needed to perform the essential functions of this role safely and effectively. We may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities, consistent with applicable law, to support performance of the essential functions.

Works in a laboratory and/or office environment.

Sitting, standing, and walking.

Must be able to work in a stationary position for entire shift duration.

Lifting and moving up to 25 lbs independently and 50 lbs using assisted lifting equipment.

Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients' resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants.