Job Description Summary

Job Description

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5696 - Laboratory Technician

Salary Grade 8

Pay Range
Hiring Range: $22.16 - $26.04 Per HourÂ
Full Range: $22.16 - $29.92 Per HourÂ

Salary offers are based on the candidate's equivalent experience and internal equity with other employees within the same job classification.Â

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking talented people with a keen eye for details to become part of our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Office (CRAO) Laboratory team. If you care about public health and the environment and have experience in laboratory water analysis, data peer review, laboratory safety, and you have a keen eye for detail, we can use your skills to assist us as a Wastewater Laboratory Technician. Typical work assignments include sample receiving and login of samples received at the lab, peer review of sample custody, tracking all internal lab SDS documents, chemical hygiene and inventory, laboratory safety inspections, conducting monthly lab safety meetings, and preparing and preserving environmental sample bottles. The Quality Assurance Unit supports the CRAO Laboratory by focusing on the processes and procedures that improve data quality, training, documentation, monitoring, and audits to provide data integrity for regulatory compliance purposes.

Essential Functions:

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Collects water, solid waste, and wastewater effluent samples for laboratory testing;

• Performs various standardized laboratory tests such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Bacteriological Examination, Alkalinity, Hardness, pH, Chlorine, Solids Testing, and other related tests as required by regulatory agencies;

• Analyzes E. coli, Total Coliform, and other microbiological organisms;

• Operates, calibrates, and maintains laboratory equipment and instruments such as Ultraviolet-Visible (UV/VIS) Spectrophotometers, Analytical Balances, DO meters, pH meters, and computer-controlled BOD robotic instruments;

• Performs and properly documents Acid Neutralization, Thermometer Calibrations, and Safety Equipment Checks;

• Prepares laboratory waste for off-site disposal in accordance with proper procedures;

• Maintains inventory records for laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies, and hazardous materials;

• Maintains physical facilities and equipment in accordance with departmental and professional standards; Adheres to safety procedures in accordance with the laboratory and chemical plan, ensuring that current safety data sheets are incorporated into the proper database or binders;

• Maintains manual and automated laboratory records and logbooks on testing and quality control measures as required by regulatory standards;

• Records test results in spreadsheets and automated information management systems for analysis and records maintenance;

• Reviews and recommends revisions to the standardized operating procedures used for analytical testing;

• Assists Wastewater laboratory chemists and laboratory supervisors in training new laboratory support staff;

• Performs routine quality assurance/quality control procedures and prepares documentation to comply with licensure requirements from the Arizona Department of Health Services;

• Participates in annual state audits and performance evaluation studies.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or a closely related field as defined by the department head AND two (2) years of experience performing standard laboratory tests or instrumental laboratory analyses.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the “Education� and “Work Experience� sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write “see resume� on your

application.

Preferred Qualifications : (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.

• Experience (within the last 5 years) with environmental water or wastewater regulations or analysis of water or soil samples.

• Experience with/knowledge of preparing laboratory sample containers, maintaining an inventory, and ordering supplies.

• Experience (within the last 5 years) in calibrating thermometers, pH meters, and analytical balances.

• Experience with/knowledge of using Microsoft Office applications and AdobePro software.

• Experience with/knowledge of Safety Data Sheets (SDS).

• Experience with/knowledge of handling and working with chemicals.

• Experience with/knowledge of technical writing or data review.

• Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety.

Selection Procedure :

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidates from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. Â

Supplemental Information:

Licenses and Certificates : Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid  AZ  driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items : The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements : Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by position.

EEO Information :Â Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Â We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.