Laboratory Technician I, II, III, IV

Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can learn, grow, and demonstrate environmental stewardship? Two Rivers Utilities, a subsidiary of the City of Gastonia, invites you to apply for our Wastewater Laboratory Technician I, II, II, IV position, in which you would be performing a wide variety of technical lab work, collecting and analyzing industrial, water and wastewater samples. The overall purpose of the role is to obtain accurate analytical test results to protect the integrity of our local water bodies. We accomplish this by holding ourselves to high ethical standards to exceed expectations imposed by state regulations. We value competent, skilled candidates to work in a team environment. Come be a part of our awesome laboratory team and make a positive impact on our local communities! 

Performs laboratory testing. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Wastewater Treatment Division Laboratory Supervisor.  Wastewater Laboratory Technicians work Monday through Friday with occasional weekend and holiday work.The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily.  Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. 

• Maintains a safe work area.
• Maintains compliance through testing with Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Adheres to standard operating procedures to perform a variety of standardized laboratory tests of process control, regulatory compliance and/or commercial samples in either a field or laboratory setting.
• Prepares chains of custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary.
• Responsible for maintaining a neat work area and laboratory housekeeping.
• Maintains analytical equipment located in the laboratory and field settings. 
• Properly collects representative samples from designated locations.
• Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media and preservatives as needed.
• Keeps neat and accurate records.
• Schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources.
• Cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus.
• Prepares a variety of wastewater samples for storage or analysis.
• Performs various computer tasks.
• Investigates and troubleshoot issues with equipment and analyses. 
• Assists with training of new personnel. 

• Knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials and equipment, including those used in standard chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater. 
• Knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry. 
• Ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis. 
• Ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples.  
• Ability to make complex mathematical calculations.  
• Ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports.  
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Wastewater Laboratory Technician I
Minimally qualified starting pay: $23.5047/hr. 

• High school diploma
• Moderate experience working in a wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience 
• Acquire NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Grade I certification within 18 months of hire
• NIMS 700 certification must be obtained within 12 months of hire

Wastewater Laboratory Technician II 
Minimally qualified starting pay: $24.6799/hr. 

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field
• Moderate experience working in a wastewater laboratory
• Acquire NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Grade I certification within 18 months of hire
• NIMS 700 certification must be obtained within 12 months of hire

 Wastewater Laboratory Technician III 
Minimally qualified starting pay: $25.9139/hr.  

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field 
• Considerable experience working in a wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Acquire NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Grade I certification with 18 months of hire
• NIMS 700 certification must be obtained within 12 months of hire

Wastewater Laboratory Technician IV
Minimally qualified starting pay: $27.2096/hr. 

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field
• Extensive experience working in a wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Possession of an NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Grade IV Certification.
• NIMS 700 certification must be obtained within 12 months of hire 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical activity of this position includes: 

• Reaching: Extended hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing:   Using the upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
• Pulling: Using the upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas using the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. 

The physical requirements of this position: 
 Medium Work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently to move objects.
 
 The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception, and field of vision:
 The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following. 

• Preparing and analyzing data and figures 
• Transcription 
• Computer terminal 
• Extensive reading 
• Using measurement devices

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:  

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur mostly inside and occasionally outside. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving history

Salary : $48,880 - $79,747