Laboratory Analyst I/II

Make a Difference with Every Test You Run. Join our team as a Laboratory Analyst and help protect public health and the environment. As part of a dedicated public service laboratory, you'll apply your scientific skills to real-world challenges, ensuring clean water, safe communities, and reliable results. Bring your expertise to a career that matters.

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives:

3% COLA effective July 1, 2025

3% COLA effective July 1, 2026

2.5% Education Incentive (bachelor's degree)

5% Education Incentive (master's degree)

The Laboratory Analyst is responsible to perform professional laboratory work pertaining to the City water quality programs; to perform physical, chemical, biological, bacteriological, or some instrumentation analyses on water, wastewater, industrial waste, storm waters, receiving waters, sludges, and environmental samples; and to collect samples in the field and/or from various sources.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Laboratory Analyst I- This is the entry level class in the Laboratory Analyst series. Positions in this class typically have little or no directly related work experience. The Laboratory Analyst I is distinguished from the II level by the performance of less than the full range of duties assigned to the II level. Incumbents work under general supervision while learning job tasks, progressing to direction as procedures and processes of assigned areas of responsibility are learned.

Laboratory Analyst II- This is the journey level class in the Laboratory Analyst series and is distinguished from the I level by the assignment of the full range of duties. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new, unusual, or unique situations arise, and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the I level.

This class is distinguished from the Laboratory Analyst III in that the latter is the advanced journey level class in the series where incumbents perform more complex duties with greater independence and may also exercise technical and/or functional supervision over lower level professional staff.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants will be assessed on the application submitted. Due to the volume of applications received, resumes will not be screened for the purpose of determining who is most qualified to compete in the testing process. It is the applicant's responsibility to fill out the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application with complete information and adequate detail. Applications may be screened to the most qualified. Do not substitute any part of the application form with the words "see resume".

The following information is provided for you to use as a reference and as a planning tool. Human Resources is unable to schedule make-up examinations.

Tentative Schedule

Test Genius

July 8, 2025 - July 15, 2025

Human Resources Department reserves the right to revise the testing process to best meet the needs of the City.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

Analyze drinking water, wastewater, industrial waste waters, sludges, receiving waters, treatment processes, or environmental samples as directed for the following:

Microbiological analyses such as total coliform, fecal coliforms, E.coli, MPN coliform testing, membrane filtration techniques, heterotrophic plate count, speciation of gram negative bacteria, gram stain, water suitability, toxic residues, sterility, microscopic examinations, or other analyses as required;

Physical analyses such as pH, temperature, conductance, total dissolved solids, total solids, total volatile solids, suspended solids, volatile

suspended solids, % moisture, % solids, % volatile solids, settle able solids, density, brix, or other analyses as required;

Chemical analyses by manual or instrumental means such as alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, calcium, hardness, volatile acids, grease and oil, oxygen demand, chlorine residual, chloride, etc.;

Biochemical analyses such as B.O.D., chlorophyll, or bio-toxicity.

Analyze samples for the purpose of process control, regulatory compliance, public health, litigation, investigations, or other studies as required.

Operate equipment including pH meters, conductivity meters, D.O. meters, balances, water baths, ovens, furnaces, burets, pipettes, incubators, autoclaves, distillation units, digestion units, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, calculators, computers, or other laboratory instrumentation as required.

Collect field samples using proper procedures for sampling, sample handling, chain of custody requirements, laboratory, or field analyses of samples.

Perform research activities including the development and the implementation of new test procedures.

Research and advise staff on equipment purchases; write specifications or justifications and order material or services for the laboratory.

Maintain laboratory records; prepare laboratory documentation and agency reports using manual or electronic means.

Clean, maintain, and care for equipment, materials, and the laboratory environment in a safe, efficient, effective, and conservative manner.

Train less experienced personnel in the laboratory, plant, field, and with outside agencies regarding laboratory procedures, sampling, and sample handling.

May write computer programs to automate reports.

Develop and implement new test procedures as required.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions:

Perform other duties as assigned.

Laboratory Analyst I

Knowledge of:

Principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and related sciences as they pertain to water/wastewater treatment and environmental science.

Principles of mathematics and statistics used for laboratory and field calculations.

Basic laboratory procedures and safety.

Appropriate use, care, and maintenance of various equipment used in the laboratory setting.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

Learn the procedures and materials used in chemical, biochemical, bacteriological, physical, and instrumental analyses of water and waste water.

Operate laboratory equipment and understand the use of materials.

Analyze testing data and draw sound conclusions.

Maintain the laboratory environment in an organized and otherwise appropriate level.

Maintain accurate records and prepare complete and concise reports.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

None is required. Previous work experience in the water quality field or in an environment conducting chemical analyses is desirable.

Training:

Equivalent to possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related field.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Must obtain a Grade I Laboratory Analyst Certificate, as issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services California Water Environmental Association or the American Water Works Association, within one year of date of appointment.

Laboratory Analyst II

In addition to the qualifications for Laboratory Analyst I:

Knowledge of:

Testing methods and techniques pertaining to water/waste water treatment.

The interpretation and analysis of water/waste water test results.

Ability to:

Observe and resolve operational and technical policy and procedure issues.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of responsible experience similar to the Laboratory Analyst I in the City of Modesto.

Training:

Equivalent to possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a related field.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Possession of a valid Grade II Laboratory Analyst Certificate, as issued by the State of California, Department of Health Services California Water Environmental Association or the American Water Works Association.

Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time may result in release from probation or termination.

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending, kneeling or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work, color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in an indoor laboratory environment, but duties are frequently performed in an outdoor environment with some exposure to year-round weather conditions. Duties may be subject to indoor laboratory equipment or field noise. Duties involve exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and water and wastewater. Work frequently involves offsite and/or remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.