LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

The salary for this position is: $4,446 - $5,914 monthly.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a Laboratory Technician (.75 – 1 FTE) for our Environmental Health Division.

As a Laboratory Technician, you’ll play an exciting role in conducting various types of analysis of potable and non-potable water, shellfish, sediment, and other samples, adhering to established laboratory procedures while ensuring necessary quality control and lab maintenance procedures. You will take on key responsibilities such as documenting and communicating payments and analysis results, as well as advising customers on their findings. In this role, you will also be responsible for processing, tracking, and following retention schedules for laboratory records including results, payments, billing, invoices, and quality assurance and accreditation documentation. This is a hands-on role where your contributions will make a meaningful impact!

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Receive potable and non-potable water, shellfish, sediment, and other environmental samples; prepare samples; determine the type of analyses to perform and perform various laboratory tests according to standard methods
• Read, interpret, and record test results
• Complete and maintain accurate records on test results; prepare and communicate reports
• Record, calculate, and compile results and payment data utilizing computerized software including spreadsheet and word processing applications
• Communicate with customers, both in person and by phone to explain testing results and recommend standard remedies, in addition to coordinating customer data retrieval requests and providing general information regarding sampling and testing
• Prepare periodic and/or special reports concerning the results and payment of laboratory tests
• Pickup and deliver materials or specimens to various locations within Thurston and Mason counties
• Operate and perform routine maintenance on laboratory instruments, perform standardized laboratory quality control procedures, and clean and sterilize work areas, equipment, glassware, and utensils
• Maintain laboratory supplies, evaluate needs, and alternatives
• Work with a variety of hazardous materials including chemicals, solvents, and biohazards using appropriate safety precautions
• Perform other work as required or assigned, including, but not limited to, a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment - Work is primarily performed in a laboratory environment. Potential exposure to wastewater and various toxic chemicals, biohazards, sharp objects, very hot materials, and noxious odors may present a hazard. Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and pulling motions. Sitting and/or standing for short or extended periods of time. Repetitive motions for computer/tool/equipment use. Requires exertion of force of 100 pounds occasionally with assistance and 25 pounds frequently to lift/carry/move objects and standard laboratory equipment, such as pipettes, glassware, knobs, and switches. Requires driving to various county locations to pick up and deliver materials or specimens.
• Schedule - Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm, with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements - This position provides weekly laboratory courier service in Thurston and Mason counties, and occasional longer distance travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
Customer Interactions - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston County’s local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live, work, and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging, honoring the unique experiences, cultures, skills, backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity, we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals’ lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree with coursework in laboratory science, biology, bacteriology, chemistry, or a closely related field. Additional related experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• One (1) year experience working in a laboratory.
Current Washington State driver's license or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Knowledge of EPA laboratory certification standards, County Health Code and related federal and state laws and regulations
• Ability to operate Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe software
• Ability to process and track payments and generate invoices

Respect and Organizational Culture

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, and lifestyles
• Thrive in a fast-paced, robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

• Serve the public in a timely, complete, accurate, and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, programs, and services that affect the health of the community
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence, reports, and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
• Effectively plan, organize, and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality, professional values, and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, and commitment
Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact the hiring team at: PHSS_Hiring@co.thurston.wa.us or (360) 867-2569

This position is:

• Represented by a union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items requested for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Proof of licenses/certifications
• The candidate selected for this position is required to show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap/TD)
  

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.