Water/Wastewater Laboratory Technician

City of Ames•50010, IA

19h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position performs a hybrid of compliance and regulatory lab work and field sampling within the guidelines for the City's state certified environmental laboratory. Under immediate supervision, this position collects and prepares samples and performs a variety of chemical tests to determine quality of City water, wastewater, and sludge before and after treatment; enters data and performs routine quality assurance; maintains equipment and cleans the laboratory; performs related work as required.

Requirements

Two years of college, including course work in chemistry and algebra
At least 3 months experience in a lab environment
Valid Driver's License is required.
General knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry as they apply to water and wastewater laboratory analyses
General knowledge of the operation and care of basic modern laboratory instruments and equipment
Knowledge of basic math and simple algebra
General knowledge of computers, word processing, and spreadsheet software.
Ability to work safely with laboratory equipment and chemicals
Ability to understand and to follow set procedures, instructions, and safety rules
Ability to learn and to accurately perform a variety of laboratory analyses
Ability to provide acceptable results for quarterly proficiency testing (external "blind") samples for all test methods
Ability to understand and follow quality assurance protocols
Ability to maintain accurate and legible records
Ability to establish and to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, within and outside of the immediate department, and the general public and to demonstrate courteous and unwavering customer service skills, especially during challenging situations
Ability to safely handle laboratory equipment, and delicate glassware and instruments
Ability to read analytical results and to record data
Ability to calculate and understand formulas, ratios, multiplication factors, percent difference, and percent recovery.

Nice To Haves

A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, or related field in education
At least 3 months experience in water/wastewater or environmental lab work including aseptic sample collection techniques for microbiology are also preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs routine laboratory procedures such as sampling, weighing, recording, calibrations, pH, titrations, ion-selective electrodes, reagent preparation, etc.
Performs water distribution sampling, stream sampling, raw groundwater sampling in the field multiple days of the week, along with assigned special projects.
Assists other lab staff in setting up, performing, and cleanup after a variety of chemical and microbiological analyses.
Cleans glassware, countertops, samplers, sampling locations, and laboratory equipment.
Calculates and records laboratory data, enters data into computer, and assists in preparation of periodic reports for plant management and regulatory agencies.
Updates chemical inventory as required.
Guides or assists in guiding individuals or groups of visitors around the laboratory.
Perform extra sampling and laboratory duties in connection with special water/wastewater plant or research projects.
Exercises unwavering and courteous customer service to the public when collecting samples during service calls for individual water distribution system locations and during non-routine water main breaks.