Laboratory Technician

• Be part of a group that is safety driven and values inclusion
• Expand and develop your technical expertise in our newly modernized aluminium smelter
• Permanent, full-time role, based in beautiful, Kitimat, BC

About the role

All progress begins with pioneers. At Rio Tinto, it begins with you.

We are looking for a Lab Technician to process metallurgical samples and results to provide the data required to sustain efficient operation of the process & recovery plant and support process improvement projects.

This role is a great opportunity for a knowledgeable and motivated individual to increase their technical capability in a unique operational facility.

We are an open, connected international team of technical specialists using some of the most exciting data and tools on the planet. We are the world leader in automation and smart mining. We have technical development programs that are industry-leading and recognize the unique nature of your role. These provide opportunities to grow your career through a dedicated technical path while being rewarded for your unique skills

Reporting to the Lab Team Lead and working a 12-hour alternating shift roster, which includes nights and weekends, you will be:

• Working safely in accordance with Rio Tinto Safety Standards, including lab-specific processes for chemical handling, lockout procedures, etc.
• Evaluating daily process samples & perform laboratory analysis of the samples
• Immediately notifying process plant operations supervisor & metallurgical engineer of any laboratory test result that suggests serious problems in the process plant
• Maintain accurate records of laboratory results, enter results into a database, print related reports, check results for errors, and resolve discrepancies
• Clean the laboratory area and lab equipment at the end of each shift
• Carry out metallurgical test work on lab equipment
• Work with Lab team to develop lab procedures and carry out work as defined by standard practices
• Maintain & update Standard Operating Procedures for all routine laboratory work, including Lab Technician daily tasks
• Assist in operational and maintenance duties as directed and train new personnel in proper lab techniques & procedures
• Ensure operability of laboratory by issuing work requests for any required maintenance and ordering consumable parts/equipment
• Understand the importance of quality control
• Supporting with on-call lab duties as per the departmental rotation

Note: Fly-in-fly-out arrangements are not offered. Relocation assistance is provided.

What you'll bring

• A commitment to the safety of yourself and your team
• High school graduation or equivalent
• A minimum of a College or technical institute diploma in a relevant field of study is preferred
• At least one year of experience as a Laboratory Technician is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to use laboratory equipment
• Good organizational and communication skills
• Basic working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently in a results-oriented environment.

It will also be beneficial if you have:

• Previous experience in the Aluminium Smelting industry
• Knowledge of SAP
• Experience working with OES (Optical Emission Spectrometer), XRD (X-ray powder diffraction), and XRF (X-ray fluorescence), and LECO are assets.

What we offer

Be recognized for your contribution, your thinking and your hard work, and go home knowing you've helped the world progress.

• A work environment where safety is always the number one priority
• Career development & education assistance to further your technical or leadership ambitions
• A competitive base salary reflective of your skills and experience with annual incentive program
• Ongoing access to family-friendly health and medical programs, pension and savings plans
• Attractive share ownership plan
• Leave for all of life's reasons (vacation/annual, paid parental, sick leave)
• Exclusive employee discounts
• Domestic relocation assistance

About Rio Tinto

Every idea, every innovation, every little thing the world calls 'progress' begins with
a first step, and someone willing to take it: explorers, inventors, entrepreneurs. Pioneers.

For nearly 150 years, Rio Tinto has been a company of pioneers generations of people spanning the globe, all with the grit and vision to produce materials essential to human progress.

Our iron ore has shaped skylines from Shanghai to Sydney. Our aluminium the world's first to be certified "responsible" helps planes fly and makes cars lighter. Our copper helps wind turbines power cities and our boron helps feed the world, and explore the universe.
Our diamonds help us celebrate the best parts of life.

Where you'll be working

Rio Tinto's BC Works is a part of the Atlantic Operations of the Aluminium product group and has been operating in British Columbia for over 65 years. With industry leading new technology and four generations of employee expertise, as well as our hydropower facility at Kemano and the Nechako Reservoir, the Kitimat smelter is one of the world's most competitive aluminium smelters, producing aluminium with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry.

Rio Tinto is proud to operate in BC alongside our 1,000 employees, partners, community stakeholders and First Nations, and we look forward to the next 60 years.

To learn more about our Aluminium Operations, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=25&v=CTp1jkRKeBI

Every Voice Matters

At Rio Tinto, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, women, the LGBTQIA2 community, mature workers, people with disabilities and people from different cultural backgrounds.

We are committed to an inclusive environment where people feel comfortable to be themselves. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome they are essential to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different.

Applications close: February 6, 2022

(Rio Tinto reserves the right to remove advertised roles prior to this date)