Microbiology Unit Laboratory Technician - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.  

• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking two talented Laboratory Technicians to assist our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Laboratory team. If you have experience in laboratory analysis or a bachelor's degree in science (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.

Work hours are 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The lab operates 365 days a year. Working some holidays, weekends, and other schedule changes are required.

If this sounds interesting to you, come and join our team!

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. 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, 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.

• Experience, within the last five (5) years, performing laboratory analyses on water and/or wastewater.
• Experience, within the last five (5) years, collecting water, wastewater, soil, or bio-solids samples.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, and Excel).
• Experience calibrating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Minimum six (6) months experience, within the last five (5) years, 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.

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 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.

Special Notice Items: 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. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen. 

Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position. Movement - reaching, standing, walking, grasping, fine motor movement; Audio - speaking in person; Mental Effort - Analytical thinking, using effective verbal communication, handling stress and emotion, concentrating on tasks, remembering names, examining and observing details, remembering details, making decisions, adjusting to change, staying organized, using math/calculations, problem solving, multitasking, making connections between facts, calibrating precise measurements; Visual - distinguishing colors; Performance Requirements - working as scheduled, arriving on time, maintaining stamina during the workday, meeting deadlines, working effectively with coworkers, working with others on a team, writing, keyboard/typing, operating office equipment and/or copiers. Exposures - indoors, water/liquid. Frequently required to lift, push or pull objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions: Working conditions will be determined by the position.

EEO Information: 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.