Laboratory Technician - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Pima County Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking talented individuals to assist in our Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Laboratory team. If you have experience in laboratory analysis or a bachelor’s degree in science (e.g., chemistry, biology, environmental science, or similar), we can use your skills to help protect human health and the environment. Our state-of-the-art environmental laboratory offers opportunities to collect and analyze water samples using methods such as titration, spectroscopy, and gravimetric analysis.

About the Role

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

Responsibilities

• Collects water, solid waste, and wastewater effluent samples for laboratory testing.
• Performs 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 tests 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 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 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 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.

Requirements

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or a closely related field as defined by the department head.
• Two (2) years of experience performing standard laboratory tests or instrumental laboratory analyses.
• Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.
• Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment.
• Successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the last five (5) years performing laboratory analyses on water or wastewater.
• Experience within the last five (5) years collecting water, wastewater, soil, or bio-solids samples.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel).
• Experience calibrating and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• At least six (6) months of professional experience working in a laboratory setting within the last five (5) years.
• Experience with data entry and review.
• Experience handling and working with chemicals.
• Experience with/knowledge of laboratory safety and safety equipment.

Pay

Hiring range: $23.98 - $28.19 per hour. Pay range: $23.98 - $32.39 per hour. The hiring range is an estimate of where offers may be made; actual salary offers will consider a wide range of factors, including skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

• Physical activities: bending, climbing, reaching, squatting, stooping.
• Motion activities: grasping.
• Hearing activities: in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves, equipment alarms.
• Speaking activities: in person, on the phone, on the radio.
• Vision requirements: operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception, peripheral vision.
• Frequently required to lift 50 pounds, push or pull objects weighing up to 75 pounds.