Laboratory Supervisor

About the Role 
The Laboratory Supervisor leads day-to-day operations of METER's Environment Research Lab. This is a hands-on, player-coach role: you personally run complex tests, lead the lab staff and interns who carry out the lab's routine work, schedule internal research, sales and marketing, and customer testing requests, and keep lab work moving through clear tracking systems. You execute against test methods and specifications set by our scientific, engineering, and production staff. 

A ground-floor opportunity. This lab is early in building its operating processes. You'll spend meaningful time in your first several months creating the documentation, procedures, and tracking workflows that don't fully exist yet, alongside running tests and leading the team. If you get energized by building structure from scratch, and then maintaining and refining that structure over time, this is the job. This role will report to our Manufacturing and Production leadership. 

What We're Really Looking For 
The most important trait for this role isn't lab technique. Many people could come in and run the tests. It's judgment about standard work: seeing where the lab is missing the process, documentation, or discipline a well-run lab would have, and putting it in place, even when that means working with senior colleagues to introduce something new. You also supervise the work of teenage interns and ensure they follow strong lab processes.  
Here's what that looks like. A scientist asks for measurement data across a variety of soils. You sit down with them and get the information you need to start the experiment. You don't guess your way into it, and you don't let the request sit. Then, you ensure the work gets done correctly and in a timely manner, whether you do it yourself, you coordinate the work with production staff members, or you assign it to one of the lab interns. Finally, you ensure the results are documented and communicated well. 
We're hiring for this judgment first, lab experience second. 

We need an organized person who can run our lab efficiently; regularly make the right judgment calls; coordinate well with all stakeholder departments; build, maintain, and refine well-documented processes; communicate well with internal departments and external customers; and effectively supervise and mentor laboratory staff and high school and college interns. 

 

On your application you will be asked what your favorite hobby is. When answering please use the word 'banana' first, then enter your hobby.

Key Responsibilities 

Skills and Competencies 

Work Environment 
Typical laboratory and office environment. Some travel between company sites may be required. 

Physical Requirements 
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle objects and tools, reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

To Apply for This Position 
Apply online through the METER Group careers page. In your application, tell us about a time you put a process in place where none existed: what was missing, who you had to bring along, and how you held the standard. That story matters more to us than a long list of instruments. 

Full-Time Employee Benefits at METER Group 

About METER Group 
METER has built IoT sensing and data technology and lab instruments since the early 1980s for researchers, growers, and engineers working on water and food shortages and climate change. Our headquarters is in Eastern Washington, near Washington State University and the University of Idaho. The measurements our lab produces help people who study the soil, water, and plants the world depends on. 

Pay Range 
The entire annual pay range for this role is $70,500 - $101,700, with the most of that range reserved for future growth in the role. The budget for filling this role is in the lower 25% of the range.  

METER Group is an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.