Laboratory Technician

General Summary & Essential Responsibilities

Are you available to work from 6:00am to 4:30pm? Are you willing to work weekends and/or holidays? Do you have lab experience? If so, we would love to have you join our amazing team!

JOB SUMMARY

Performs responsible technical laboratory work involving the performance of a variety of standard chemical, bacteriological, and physical tests on raw and treated wastewater and leachate samples following prescribed procedures and techniques.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs chemical, physical, and bacteriological examination of water samples and related residuals.
• Collects, receives, inspects, prepares, and tests water samples for established criteria; prepares all bacteriological media and reagents needed for testing; performs microbiological and physical testing; makes necessary calculations; and may perform specialized analysis of water, wastewater and leachate samples for other departments within the County.
• Reviews and analyzes testing results; identifies trends and patterns; inspects sample results for consistency with historical values; enters quality control data for batch analysis; verifies accuracy and precision of techniques; performs method detection limit study in assigned work area; and prepares and submits related reports.
• Prepares and distributes sample bottle kits to all water, wastewater and leachate facilities; monitors testing schedules for facilities; gathers, packages, and sends bottles, blank chain of custody forms, and other daily sampling supplies to appropriate locations.
• Ensures compliance with established laboratory, industry and regulatory policies, procedures and standards; informs supervisors of data errors or permit violations; and documents corrective actions.
• Maintains logs and records regarding work activities; researches, compiles, consolidates, and/or tabulates data and information; logs data and analytical information; verifies accuracy and completeness of data and information entered; and incorporates information into requested reports and other prepared materials.
• Utilizes and maintains field, testing, and laboratory equipment; calibrates equipment; performs accuracy checks; cleans and sterilizes equipment and work areas; performs routine maintenance on laboratory equipment; and notifies management when equipment is not working properly.
• Maintains inventory of materials, tools, equipment and supplies; records use of work materials and supplies; estimates rates of consumption and life expectancy; and initiates requests for new and/or replacement as needed.
• Maintains established Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) policies and procedures.
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication.

Min. Education, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• Associate Degree:

• Preferred:

• Biology

• Chemistry

• One (1) year of experience in laboratory testing and techniques.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory principals, techniques, terminology, equipment, and materials.
• Knowledge of current principles and practices of chemistry and bacteriology, particularly as applied to analytical work in the field of water, wastewater, or leachate treatment.
• Knowledge of the practical aspects of process control for wastewater treatment and residuals disposal.
• Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to perform standard bacteriological and chemical analysis efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to establish and maintain a laboratory Quality Control Program in accordance with established procedures and/or applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ability to constantly monitor/operate various specialized meters/testing equipment.
• Ability to make recommendations and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems.
• Ability to ascertain priorities and meet deadlines and objectives.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Stooping, climbing, crouching, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, kneeling, reaching, pushing, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception. Frequent lifting of 10 to 25 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an indoor, climate-controlled environment and is nearly absent from disagreeable elements (e.g., irate customers, extreme noise, heat, odors, heights and/or dust).

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires some exposure or risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.