Laboratory Specialist

Are you interested in being an essential part of testing and maintaining Raleigh’s water quality? Our team is actively seeking a professional, technical and dedicated team member to play an indispensable role in ensuring that water from the lake to the tap meet/exceed regulatory standards and are safe for public consumption and environmental sustainability.  This is achieved through regular monitoring of surrounding lakes, distribution system, and performing laboratory tests throughout the process treatment train. 

The Laboratory Specialist additional duties include, but are not limited to, performing basic bacteriological analysis, maintaining laboratory supplies, navigating the boat to collect lake samples and preparing basic reports.  If you have a keen eye for attention to detail and a vested interest in being a steward of our most precious resource, we invite you to apply. Dive into the essential duties and responsibilities to discover how you can contribute to safeguarding our water resources for future generations.

• Performs water sampling in the distribution system
• Plans distribution system routes and monitors effects of environmental conditions
• Gathers supplies and required resources for planned testing
• Ensures equipment standardization and calibration is completed daily
• Monitors chemical/equipment needs and provide updates to Senior staff
• Performs routine and specialized laboratory testing of water samples in both the distribution system and in a laboratory setting which may include pH, chlorine, turbidity, microbiological, water hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, color and/or other parameters as needed
• Performs initial troubleshooting of equipment causing non- standard/out of calibration results
• Enters compliance data and analytical data into our laboratory information management system (LIMS)
• Utilizes software programs to perform daily duties such as City Works and Microsoft Office products
• Transports motorboat on a trailer to sampling location, performs analytical testing and sample collection
• Drives, maintains, and cleans motorboat, assigned City vehicle, and laboratory equipment for operating use
• Performs bacteriological analysis of samples collected in the distribution along with the required quality control to maintain compliance
• Maintains calibration logs, records and files
• Samples customer concern calls as needed typically from an outside spigot

Education and Experience:
Associate Degree in laboratory science, chemistry or biology and two years of sample collection and basic testing experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing and Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire. On-the-job training will be providing to drive the motorboat to complete work duties.

Knowledge of:

• Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work
• Practices and methods of laboratory sampling and routine testing
• Business math concepts
• Filing and record-keeping principles
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practices
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment, including specialized equipment relevant to area of assignment
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations
• Customer service principles
• Modern office technology

Skill In:

• Assessing and evaluating water sampling requirements and tests
• Performing routine laboratory testing and documenting results
• Gathering distribution system water samples and ensuring proper functioning of sampling and testing equipment
• Organizing tasks, meeting deadlines and prioritizing competing demands
• Providing directions to others to meet standards
• Providing attention to detail, proofreading and error correction in assignments
• Business math computations
• Organizing and maintaining records and files
• Maintaining and updating data and documentation
• Comprehending reference books and manuals
• Operating assigned tools and equipment
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, codes, regulations and standards 
• Providing excellent customer service to internal and external customers
• Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require: stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Medium Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in both the distribution system and in an indoor office environment with frequent exposure to hazardous physical conditions (such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.); frequent exposure to atmospheric conditions (such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, etc.); moderate exposure to hazardous materials (such as chemicals, blood and other body fluids); frequent exposure to environmental conditions (such as disruptive people, imminent danger, or a threatening environment); frequent exposure to extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting and movement restrictions; and moderate exposure intense noise or travel.

Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Salary : $42,027 - $64,326