Laboratory Technician I, II - Microbiology (LO-173-26E) Carson

About the role

The Laboratorian will perform a variety of routine and non-routine microbiological analyses on environmental and wastewater treatment samples.

Responsibilities

• Collect environmental samples and perform microbiological tests and analyses.
• Prepare laboratory media, standard solutions, and reagents.
• Inspect, adjust, clean, maintain, troubleshoot, and operate laboratory equipment.
• Maintain laboratory supplies, reagent inventories, and equipment maintenance logs.
• Respond to spill and stormwater events.
• Assist senior staff with special research projects, sample analyses, and report preparation.
• Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for data entry and peer review of laboratory data.
• Maintain laboratory records and prepare routine laboratory reports.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A valid California Class C driver's license is required for positions that involve on-the-job driving.
• For Laboratory Technician I: Any combination of education or experience that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position.
• For Laboratory Technician II: Twelve (12) semester units of college chemistry; -AND-Two (2) years of laboratory experience conducting chemical, biological, or microbiological analyses and testing in sewage or water treatment operations.
• A bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Desirable Qualifications: Experience preparing microbiological media; Experience performing microbiological testing for coliform bacteria and other indicators of fecal contamination; Experience testing for human pathogens, including bacteria, parasites, and enteric viruses; Experience performing mammalian cell culture assays; Experience conducting molecular analyses; Proficiency using computers and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS); Knowledge of statistics and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) protocols; Familiarity with the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP); Familiarity with The NELAC Institute (TNI) 2016 Standard.

Qualifications

• To be considered, candidates must indicate the highest level of education completed.
• To be considered, candidates must have laboratory experience conducting chemical, biological, or microbiological analyses.

Skills

• Knowledge of principles of bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, virology, and molecular biology.
• Microscopy techniques and laboratory safety practices.
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) practices.
• Microbiology laboratory accreditation requirements.
• Laboratory techniques, equipment, chemicals, reagents, materials, and terminology.
• Scientific method, statistics, and experimental design.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Drive to various Districts' facilities and sampling sites.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot microbiology laboratory instrumentation and equipment.

Benefits

Compensation includes a retirement plan through CalPERS, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and tuition reimbursement. The Districts also offer paid parental leave and flexible work schedules.

Pay

The starting salary range for this position is TBD.

Schedule

The work schedule for this position is 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, including weekends and holidays. The employee will be required to return to work beyond regularly scheduled hours in response to emergencies, or report to the San Jose Creek Laboratory in Whittier as needed.