2741 - Wastewater Laboratory Technician (Quality Assurance and Control Technician)

Overall Job Objective

Position Description

This position is in the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department and is located at Wastewater's world-class Water Campus facility located at Ruthrauff and I-10.

Salary Grade: 41

An assessment may be administered.

Our Vision:
To be an industry leader in the management and sustainability of the water reclamation cycle and other renewable resources.

Our Mission:
To protect the public health, safety, and the environment by providing quality service, environmental stewardship, and renewable resources.

As the Laboratory Technician- QA/QC with Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD) you will provide vital support to the laboratory's chemists. Responsibilities include performing Quality Assurance/Quality Control measures, oversight of the Laboratory Safety Program, and preparing documentation to ensure compliance with the Arizona Department of Health Services' licensure requirements. The candidate selected will perform the collection and standardized analyses of water to include ground/storm/surface and solid wastewater samples utilizing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Arizona Department of Health (ADHS) approved methods. You will also record and report sample analysis results in compliance with licensure requirements of local, state, and federal regulatory agencies.

For more information about Pima County's Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department, visit https://webcms.pima.gov/government/wastewaterreclamation/.

Please note: Successful candidates offered employment with Pima County, including current employees who have applied for new positions, are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to their scheduled start date. If you are unable to become fully vaccinated due to a medical disability or religious observance/practice, you must request an accommodation - accommodation forms are located online.

Duties/Responsibilities

(Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)

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, fecal 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 hauling off-site for proper disposal;
Maintains inventory records on laboratory equipment, chemicals, supplies and hazardous chemicals and materials;
Maintains physical facilities and equipment in accordance with departmental and professional standards;
Adheres to safety procedures in accordance with laboratory and chemical plan, ensuring that current Safety Data Sheets are incorporated in 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 analyses and records maintenance;
Reviews and recommends revisions to the standardized operating procedures used for analytical testing;
Assists Wastewater Laboratory Chemists and Chemist Specialists in training new laboratory support staff;
Performs routine Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures and prepares documentation to comply with licensure requirements with Arizona Department of Health Services;
Participates in annual state audit and performance evaluation study.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

Knowledge of:

• principles of biology, microbiology and chemistry;
• operation and care of standard test equipment used in test procedures;
• laboratory processes and procedures involving water and wastewater testing;
• state and federal requirements for compliance testing of wastewater, ground water, surface water, storm water and solid waste samples;
• computer applications to water testing and analysis procedures;
• federal (OSHA) regulations and local policies regarding safe work practices and safe laboratory policies and procedures.

Skill in:

• performing standard laboratory tests;
• communicating effectively and following written and verbal instructions;
• using standard laboratory equipment;
• performing mathematical and statistical calculations;
• using automated information systems for tracking data and report generation.

Minimum Qualifications

EITHER:

(1) An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority and two years of experience performing standard laboratory tests or instrumental laboratory analyses.

OR:

(2) A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a closely related field as defined by the appointing authority.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted)

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications:

(Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):

1. Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater.
2. Experience preparing laboratory sample containers, maintaining an inventory, and ordering supplies.
3. Experience within the last five (5) years calibrating thermometers, pH meters, and analytical balances.
4. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel) and Adobe Pro Software.
5. Familiarity with safety data sheets.
6. Experience with technical writing or data review.
7. Experience handling and working with chemicals.
8. Experience/familiarity with laboratory safety and safety equipment.

Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process. Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: 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 the applicant's suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. This position requires a valid Arizona Class D drivers license at the time of application or prior to completion of initial/promotional probation.

Special Notice Item: 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. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: A post-offer physical is required. 100lb lift and 100lb push/pull. Some positions may require the ability to: work with or in the presence of obnoxious odors; work with noxious or potentially hazardous chemicals, compounds, or wastewater products. Safety training and equipment will be provided by Pima County. Successful candidates offered employment with Pima County, including current employees who have applied for new positions, are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to their scheduled start date. If you are unable to become fully vaccinated due to a medical disability or religious observance/practice, you must request an accommodation - accommodation forms are located online.