Laboratory Technician - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Pima County • Tucson, AZ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking talented people to assist in our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Laboratory team. If you have experience in laboratory analysis or a bachelor’s degree in science (for example: chemistry, biology, environmental science, or similar), we can use your skills to assist us in protecting human health and the environment. We have a state-of-the-art environmental laboratory here in Pima County. Typical work assignments include collecting samples from Water Reclamation Facilities, and analysis of water samples by methods including titration, spectroscopy, gravimetric, and others. If this sounds interesting to you, come and join our team.

Requirements

• 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.
• Valid driver license is at time of application.
• Valid AZ driver license is 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.
• 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.
• Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.
• Action Activity - bending, climbing, reaching, squatting, stooping; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - in a noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves, equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on the radio; Vision - operate a motor vehicle, operate a forklift/power industrial equipment, distinguish colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision.
• Frequently required to lift 50 pounds, push or pull objects weighing up to 75 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater.
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, collecting water, wastewater, soil, or bio-solids samples.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite or PowerPoint, Word & Excel.
• Experience calibrating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, of at least six (6) months of professional experience working in a laboratory setting.
• Experience with data entry and review.
• Experience handling and working with chemicals.
• Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Benefits

• Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree