Lab Technician

_In 1985, Ed McNally founded Big Rock Brewery Inc. (“Big Rock”) to contest the time's beer trends. Three bold, European-inspired offerings forged an industry at a time heavy on easy drinking lagers and light on flavour. Today, our extensive portfolio of signature beers, ongoing seasonal offerings, ciders (Rock Creek Cider® series) and custom-crafted private label products keep us at the forefront of the craft beer revolution and still proudly contesting the beer trends of today._

**Lab Technician**

Big Rock has an exciting opportunity for a Lab Technician located in our Calgary office. Reporting to the Manager, Quality Systems & Food Safety, the Lab Technician will join the Quality Control Department in performing routine sampling and analyses of raw brewing materials, packaging materials, environmental samples, and in-process and finished beer. This will include quantitative and qualitative analyses, tests and measurements to ensure that our products meet the in-process and finished beer specifications of Big Rock Brewery. This position requires rotational shift work.

**What you will do**:
**Use, Calibrate and Trouble-shoot the Following Equipment**:

- UV-spectrophotometers and pH meters
- Dissolved oxygen meters
- High pressure CO2 tanks
- Density and alcohol analyzers
- C - TPO (Total Package Oxygen) analyzers
- High pressure steam autoclaves
- Distillation apparatus
- Gravity (scale) devices
- Digital and mercury thermometers
- Incubators and Water baths
- Conductivity meters

**Chemical Handling and Testing**:

- Safe dilution, use and disposal of a wide array of chemicals.
- Read, understand and effectively use the relevant MSDS documents.
- Use fume hoods to ensure chemical reactions are safely controlled and contained.
- Effective use of personal protective equipment while handling chemicals and performing potentially volatile tests.

**Microbiological Handling and Testing**:

- Preparation of media and broths used to collect and analyze bacteriological samples.
- Collect sterile samples, including the safe use of propane torches and high proof alcohol for sanitizing equipment surface areas prior to taking sample; typically for beer, ambient air and water analysis.
- Safe and effective use of high-pressure steam autoclaves.
- Use and maintain lab glassware and microscopes.

**Physical Handling and Testing**:

- Use precision measuring equipment including: micrometers, vernier calipers, depth gauges and torque wrenches.
- Safe and precise cutting of cans with a seam-check cutting device to ensure seam quality tolerances of finished cans.
- Use CO2 measuring devices that require vigorous physical shaking to obtain accurate results.
- Use proper ear, eye, hand and foot protection when performing tests and/or going into areas of the plant that require these protections.
- Other Duties as Assigned.

**Other Requirements**:

- Perform daily monitoring of and maintenance on the high-pressure steam generators (boilers).
- Analyze and monitor boiler chemicals daily under the program set up by the site power engineer.
- Participate in formal tasting panels for examining the sensory qualities (taste, odour, colour, palate feel), specified for Big Rock beers and ciders.
- Participate in the onsite BRC (British Retail Council) / HACCP food safety program, and abide by any policies and procedural regulations established under it.
- Successful completion of the first phase of a Chemical Laboratory Technology Program or a Bachelor’s degree in a science.
- Able to work in a fast paced environment and prioritize tasks efficiently.
- Strong relationship building skills, with an ability to communicate complex concepts to the business in an understandable way.
- Strong verbal and listening communication skills.
- Ability to liaise with management and employees at all levels.
- Proactive, ability to propose solutions and process improvements to process.
- Flexible and adaptable to a wide range of tasks and activities.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities.
- Enthusiastic attitude, strong work ethic, and aptitude to work in team capacity is essential.

**Role Requirements**:

- Manual movement of chemical drums/beer kegs on a regular basis.
- Occasional lifting up to 20 kgs.
- Sitting, as well as extensive standing and bending is required.
- Brief exposure to high temperatures in the boiler room on a daily basis.
- Thank you for your interest in Big Rock. Please note that only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted._

**We look forward to hearing from you**

**Benefits**:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Store discount

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Evening shift
- Monday to Friday
- Morning shift
- Night shift
- Weekends as needed

**Experience**:

- brewery and/or food & beverage quality lab: 1