Lab Technician

Job Description

The objective of the Environmental Services Laboratory Technician is to protect the public health of the Citizens of Huntsville by collecting samples performing laboratory analysis and assisting in inspections to ensure safe operation of industrial commercial and municipal wastewater facilities.

Job Responsibilities

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification; only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional; position-specific duties.

• Performs testing on wastewater samples and analyzes the data to ensure that the City meets federal; state; and city established limits.
• Performs testing on process control samples for the water and wastewater divisions.
• Coordinates with the laboratory analyst on other projects; as needed.
• Assists in monitoring for compliance with local; state; and federal water and wastewater regulations.
• Collects samples at source; as needed; maintains; cleans; and prepares sampling equipment; programs and installs automatic samplers.
• Washes laboratory glassware and sample containers.
• Cleans and maintains laboratory equipment; field equipment; samplers; and other equipment.
• Cleans the laboratory work area to maintain a contaminate free work environment. This includes sweeping and mopping floors and disinfecting surfaces in the laboratory.
• Prepares laboratory reagents and performs prep work for activities in the laboratory.
• Performs quality control procedures on equipment and supplies to assure reliable test results.
• Calibrates and maintains instruments and equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s procedure and specifications; identify and correct defects as they occur; to assure the accuracy of data.
• Prepares and maintains regulatory paperwork (chain of custodies; bench sheets; logbooks; etc.) in accordance with local; state; and federal regulations for proper recordkeeping.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid Class C Texas driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Minimum of one (1) year basic computer skills in Microsoft office applications (Word; Excel and Power Point).
• Minimum of six (6) months experience in a municipal wastewater facility; commercial laboratory; or industrial pretreatment program.
• TCEQ Class “D” Wastewater Operator License. Please note; that if hired without a TCEQ Class “D” Wastewater Operator License; then it must be obtained within the first year of employment.

Required Skills & Abilities

• Ability to maintain a professional manner with staff and the public.
• Ability to organize; prioritize accept and carry out assigned duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to understand and carry out Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ability to comprehend and retain City and State policies and legislation; i.e.; City ordinances; procedure manuals; Code of Ordinance and Office Procedures.
• Ability to learn the principles; laws; regulations; investigation and correctional methods pertaining to Water; Wastewater and Industrial Pretreatment.
• Ability to use various types of office equipment including copy machines; typewriters; computers; fax machines; etc.
• Ability to safely operate a City work truck.

Reasoning Abilities

• Ability to organize time and resources.
• Ability to plan work and establish priorities.
• Ability to think quickly; maintain self-control and adapt to stressful situation.
• Ability to define problems and handle a variety of job-related situations.

Language Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with other members of the staff; supervisor; and the public.
• Ability to communicate in both written and oral communication.
• Ability to read and comprehend City policies and procedures; written instructions and general correspondence.
• Ability to read and comprehend SDS sheets; safety manuals; traffic signs and warning labels.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to calculate basic mathematical calculations (addition; subtraction; multiplication; division).
• Ability to calculate simple linear measurements and wiring measurements.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

The physical environment and the work environment described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Environment

• The duties of this job include physical activities such as climbing; reaching; standing; walking; pushing; pulling; lifting; talking; hearing/listening; seeing/observing; and repetitive motions.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close; distance; and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
• The duties of this job require lifting of heavy objects weighing approximately 50 lbs.

Work Environment

• Job is performed in an office/lab/field environment.
• Inside and outside environment in all kinds of weather.

• Time pressure (frequent rush jobs; urgent deadlines; etc.).
• Working with distractions (telephone calls; interruptions; disturbances).
• Dirty environment (situations in which workers or their clothing can become dirty; greasy; etc.).
• Repetitive activities (performance of the same physically demanding activity).
• May work in an area of intense or continuous noise.
• May come in contact with hazardous materials or gases.