Whittaker Utika Garukae

Duties and responsibilities:

• Ensured quality system management is in compliance to ISO 17025:2017.
• Carried out laboratory tests and experiments to analyze, identify and isolate chemical compounds.
• Coordinated and performed analytical tests to comply with established standards and specifications.
• Mentored junior staff and subordinates through training and supervision, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Assigned and ensured tasks were completed in a timely manner.
• Repaired, calibrated and safely operated laboratory equipment to reduce costly instrument downtime.
• Conducted maintenance, troubleshooting and routine calibration of laboratory instrumentation and preventative maintenance programs for key instruments to maximize instrument availability;
• Prepared and reviewed documentation and SOPs.
• Increased production capacity through scale-up efforts and equipment upgrades.
• Troubleshot analytical issues, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Performed technical laboratory functions in compliance with regulatory agencies and safety requirements.
• Reviewed, authorized and signed-off outgoing test reports.
• Ensured analytical methods and results are compliant with PNGLAS accreditation requirements.
• Established partnerships with external vendors for procurement of high-quality raw materials at competitive prices.
• Assisted in coordinating the management of consultants and contractors employed to provide expert services to the analytical and data management programs.
• Participated in the development, implementation and establishment of new test methods and/or programs as required.
• Modified and adapted standard methods and procedures to solve analytical problems.
• Conducted Microbiological Testing for Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms & E-Coli in Waters and associated tasks including BOD tests.
• Deputized of the superintendent as required.
• Conducted safety audits and inspections.
• Conducted Environment Management Standard (EMS 14001:2015) tasks.
• Enhanced laboratory efficiency with streamlined processes and optimized equipment utilization.
• Contributed to team discussions and new project initiatives to advance progress and optimize profitability.
• Optimized data management systems for efficient storage and retrieval of experimental results - LabWare LIMS.
• Cleaned and organized laboratory and kept supplies well-stocked to save time, money and promote laboratory efficiency.
• Maintained compliance with safety regulations, minimizing risk of accidents in the laboratory setting.
• Led safety training initiatives, educating staff on best practices for handling hazardous chemicals.

• Conducted sample registration, sample preparation and routine analytical and reporting procedures on a day-to-day basis.
• Provided training of subordinates or trainees on identified tasks to improve team competency and productivity.
• Reviewed/Developed methods and instructions (SOPs/SWIs) in respect of safety, updated technology or changes in testing methods/procedures to ensure the safe and timely preparation and analyses of samples and the submission of results meeting quality and performance criteria.
• Assigned and ensured tasks are completed in a timely manner.
• Operated analytical instruments safely.
• Conducted maintenance, troubleshooting and routine calibration of laboratory instrumentation and preventative maintenance programs for key instruments to maximize instrument availability.
• Ensured compliance with the requirements of the Quality Manual, Work Instructions, and Methods procedures and documentation.
• Ensured analytical methods and results are compliant with regulatory agency (PNGLAS) accreditation requirements.
• Reviewed, authorized and sign-off outgoing test reports.
• Liaised with off shore service providers and suppliers.
• Assisted in coordinating the management of consultants and contractors employed to provide expert services to the analytical and data management programs.
• Participated in the development, implementation and establishment of new test methods and/or programs as required.
• Conducted Microbiological Testing for Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms & E-Coli in Waters and associated tasks including BOD tests.
• Deputized for the Superintendent as required.
• Conducted safety audits and inspections in the laboratory setting.
• Participated in Environment Management Standard (EMS 14001:2015) tasks.

• Reviewed and analysed of all test data and preparation of reports, before authorization by the Superintendent Technical Services or the Analytical Chemist/Chemist.
• Reviewed completed work sheets and identified non-conforming results.
• Conducted safe and timely sampling, preparation of samples and submission of results meeting quality and performance criteria.
• Stringently adhered to the established Quality Control Procedures.
• Initiated actions to prevent or minimize identified non-conformances.
• Provided assistance in the servicing and arranging for the servicing of laboratory equipment.
• Ensured casual laboratory assistants understand and adhered to all laboratory safety procedures as documented in the LQM and related job safety procedures and are aware of environmental responsibilities'.
• Evaluated analytical data and applied QC protocols to ensure data submitted to the Superintendent/Analytical Chemist is of the highest quality.
• Conducted housekeeping including sample storage and disposal.
• Participated in quality system activities to ensuring the Laboratory is in compliance with ISO 17025 so as to maintain its accreditation with the regulatory agency - Papua New Guinea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (PNGLAS) under the National Institute of Standard and Industrial Technology (NISIT).
• Prepared calibration standards and reagent solutions.
• Participated in sampling trips.
• Operated analytical instruments to conduct chemical testing and analyses.
• Used Laboratory Information Management System, INFOLAB, to manage analytical data.

• Participated in sampling trips.
• Assisted in managing manpower requirements.
• Participated in the monitoring programs of surface and ground waters within the Ok Tedi/Fly river catchment areas on a monthly basis.
• Conducted sampling operations; same day by helicopter or weeks by boat or by camping.
• Contributed to the development of plans of investigation or cruise plans and reporting of sampling trips.
• Prepared samples of riverine solids or sediments and liquids.
• Assisted in sample analyses in the Environment Chemistry Lab.
• Participated in data analyzing and reporting.
• Participated in Riverine Management Programs, Industrial Site Management Programs and Water Resources Management Programs and Environment Chemistry Lab programs.