Laboratory Technician

City of Oceanside • Oceanside, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Oceanside is accepting applications for the position of Laboratory Technician in our water and sewer laboratory. This program is a part of the Utility’s operational compliance and quality testing function. The Oceanside Water Utilities Department is an innovative and forward-looking organization whose goal it is to ensure ongoing access to safe, affordable drinking water & reliable wastewater collection & treatment services by maintaining top talent, resource resiliency, dependability, and system efficiency. The Laboratory is seeking a scientifically-minded individual who can quickly learn the entry-level testing and data entry requirements of the Laboratory. This person will conduct the daily and sometimes repetitive tasks of operating and maintain the basic laboratory function. Your ability to quickly adapt to the specific needs and pace of water and wastewater operations as well as assimilating into the team will be essential. The Laboratory Technician will rotate duties with the other two Technicians on a scheduled frequency. Technicians will rotate between solids analyses, TSS/CBOD testing and microbiological media preparation.

Requirements

• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and instruments
• Knowledge of chemical, biological and microbiological testing procedures
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures
• Knowledge of basic math, including decimals
• Ability to use associated laboratory equipment in a safe manner
• Ability to perform routine laboratory testing procedures
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to work varied hours and independently without close supervision
• Ability to read documents written in standard English text
• Ability to maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others
• Ability to maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties
• Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in chemistry, microbiology or a related field
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in environmental testing is desirable

Responsibilities

• Performs physical, chemical and biological tests and calculates results for various samples taken throughout the wastewater treatment process
• Submits results of daily tests in written form to operations
• Prepares and autoclaves cultured media before disposal
• Performs quality control tests to assure accuracy of laboratory analysis
• Calibrates equipment used in testing
• Creates and maintains forms and logs for daily use in testing and quality control analysis
• Assists in daily lab maintenance and operations including the preparation of solutions used in testing
• Cleans and sterilizes glassware used in daily testing
• Collects final samples
• Assists other lab personnel as needed
• Schedules sample collections
• Assists in the organization of the lab work load
• Writes reports as needed
• Inputs data in computer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED