Laboratory Technician

City of Columbia•Columbia, SC

21d

About The Position

This position performs routine to complex laboratory analyses of water samples to ensure quality potable water for City utility customers. It assists in maintaining the laboratory facility and equipment, provides professional and courteous customer service, and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision. The work is light-to-medium in nature and involves walking or standing virtually all of the time. It also involves recurring exertion of 20 to 50 pounds of force, or considerable skill, adeptness, and speed in using fingers, hands, or limbs for tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work environment may involve exposure to bright or dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise, vibration, fumes or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic or caustic chemicals, and confined spaces. The environment is dynamic and requires sensitivity and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in laboratory science, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field.
Six months of relevant prior experience.
Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.
Knowledge of mathematics involving practical applications such as fractions, percentages, ratios, proportions, measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction, algebraic solutions, descriptive statistics, deductive geometry, coordinates, or mathematical classifications.
Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine, or evaluate data and prescribe action based on it.
Ability to provide information, guidance, or assistance to facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to other technicians or interns.
Ability to handle or use machines, tools, or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience, such as laboratory and water plant equipment.
Ability to perform skilled work involving rules or systems with almost constant problem-solving.
Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals, and charts to solve practical problems, and compose routine and specialized reports, forms, and business letters in proper format.
Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring a general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to unfamiliar problems.
Ability to apply specialized technical or professional principles and practices, or use a wide range of administrative methods to solve problems.
Ability to maintain normal attention, with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
Ability to guide others and make frequent decisions affecting coworkers, customers, and others who depend on the service or product.
Ability to work in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but many variations from routine.
Physical abilities required include climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Responsibilities

Prepare chemical reagents for testing.
Collect water samples for laboratory testing.
Conduct tests and record data in WIMS and computerized maintenance management systems.
Prepare laboratory reports as required by the City, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), and other agencies.
Troubleshoot and perform maintenance and minor repairs on laboratory equipment.
Clean and maintain laboratory instruments.
Assist in maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment, supplies, and materials.
Coordinate distribution system flushing with appropriate department personnel when needed to ensure optimal water quality.
Maintain accurate and complete work records.
Maintain proper QA/QC for sample collection and bacterial analysis.
Assist in maintaining laboratory certification and ensuring laboratory operations comply with applicable policies, procedures, regulations, and quality and safety standards.
Receive and respond to inquiries, assistance requests, and complaints from City employees and customers; assist in tracking and addressing complaints.
Perform general clerical work, including preparing reports and records, completing forms, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, copying and filing documents, and answering the telephone.
Attend meetings, training, and seminars as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills.
Perform other related duties as assigned.