Laboratory Chemist - Microbiology Division - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Pima County RWRD 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, field methods for water analysis, microbiological testing, or water sampling, we can use your skills to assist us as a Wastewater Microbiology Unit Laboratory Chemist. Typical work assignments include collecting samples from Water Reclamation Facilities, chemical handling, accurately making standards and reagents, and analysis of water samples by methods including titration, spectroscopy, gravimetric analysis, and others. The CRAO Laboratory is a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory with 31 staff that provides data with integrity for regulatory compliance purposes. This position will work four days a week with a rotating shift that may include weekends and holidays. Work hours will be 6:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, biology or other closely related science as determined by the department head AND two years of professional level, paid, non-academic, experience performing chemical or microbiological analysis in a laboratory setting. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) OR: Two years with Pima County as a Laboratory Technician.
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.
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.
This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Nice To Haves

Experience within the last five (5) years performing standard laboratory tests or instrumental laboratory analyses on water, wastewater, and solid samples.
Experience, within the last five (5) years, collecting water/wastewater samples in the field and performing field methods (pH, DO, chlorine, and temperature).
Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing microbiological analyses and laboratory techniques (e.g. Total Coliform, Fecal Coliform, E. Coli, aseptic technique, use of an autoclave).
Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing gravimetric residue analyses (TSS, TS, TVSS, TVS, and TDS).
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
Experience handling and working with hazardous chemicals.
Experience with peer reviewing data or reviewing/updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Experience with Laboratory Information Management Systems.

Responsibilities

Performs sophisticated chemical and microbial analyses
Operates complicated analytical instrumentation such as ion chromatography (IC), atomic absorption and atomic fluorescence analyzers, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers (GC/MS), inductively-coupled plasma/Mass spectrometers (ICP/MS) and inductively-coupled plasma/optical emissions spectra (ICP/OES)
Obtains water samples, operates field instrumentation and records results
Prepares samples for testing using complex chemical extraction and digestion techniques
Maintains manual and automated records and logbooks, enters and interprets data and prepares reports
Monitors laboratory data of technicians and chemists in training to validate the accuracy and precision of analytical results
Assists Laboratory Supervisors in writing standardized operating procedures and laboratory audit procedures
Assists Laboratory Supervisors in training Laboratory Technicians and new staff
Performs routine Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures and documentations to comply with licensure requirements with the Arizona Department of Health Services
Adheres to safety procedures in accordance with the laboratory’s Quality Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan
Prepares, utilizes, and properly disposes of various chemical standards, solvents, reagents and bacteriological media
Maintains manual and automated laboratory records and logbooks for test methods and quality control measures as required by regulatory standards
Maintains facilities and equipment in accordance with departmental and professional standards