Wastewater Laboratory Analyst

About the role

The Wastewater Laboratory Analyst performs skilled technical laboratory work associated with wastewater treatment operations, regulatory compliance, and process control. This position is responsible for collecting and analyzing wastewater samples, maintaining laboratory certification requirements, interpreting analytical results, preparing regulatory reports, and assisting plant operations to ensure compliance with state and federal wastewater regulations.

Responsibilities

• Performs routine and regulatory wastewater laboratory analyses, including: pH, temperature, total residual chlorine (TRC), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity, BOD, settleability testing, and ammonia nitrogen.
• Collects, preserves, transports, and analyzes wastewater samples in accordance with approved procedures, standard methods, and North Carolina wastewater laboratory requirements.
• Interprets laboratory test results and prepares required reports; communicates findings to plant personnel and management to support treatment process adjustments and regulatory compliance.
• Works directly with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) by submitting required operational and compliance reports, responding to questions from regulators, staying up to date on changes to environmental regulations and permit requirements, and sharing important updates to help ensure the wastewater treatment system remains in compliance.
• Performs routine laboratory quality control procedures, including equipment calibration, quality assurance checks, documentation, and corrective actions to ensure accurate and reliable analytical results.
• Maintains State of North Carolina wastewater laboratory certification requirements, including completion of annual Proficiency Testing (PT), required documentation, and adherence to changing regulatory requirements.
• Compiles laboratory data and maintains accurate records for entry into electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs).
• Conducts routine plant inspections and tours to verify proper operation of treatment equipment, identify operational concerns, and report deficiencies.
• Performs duties as an on-call wastewater operator, responding to operational needs, alarms, emergencies, and after-hours plant issues as required.
• Affords assistance to wastewater operators with plant maintenance activities, including equipment upkeep, grounds maintenance, grass cutting, sampling activities, and general facility maintenance.
• Provides training and guidance to other personnel on laboratory procedures, sampling methods, quality control practices, and laboratory operations during periods of absence.
• Maintains inventory of laboratory chemicals, reagents, standards, supplies, and safety materials; orders and stocks materials as needed.
• Maintains accurate laboratory records, logs, and documentation required for regulatory compliance and operational control.
• Fulfills the NCDEQ Laboratory Supervisor experience requirements, which include one of the following: a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 6 months of laboratory experience; a 2-year Associate’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience; 6 years of laboratory experience without a degree; previous experience in a municipal wastewater treatment facility; experience with North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) wastewater reporting requirements and eDMR systems; experience performing BOD, fecal coliform, ammonia nitrogen, and other regulatory wastewater analyses.
• Ability to serve as an on-call operator.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: High school diploma or equivalent, with coursework in environmental science, biology, chemistry, wastewater technology, or a related field. Ability to work rotating on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs as needed.
• Preferred: Qualified to fulfill the NCDEQ Laboratory Supervisor experience requirements, which include one of the following: a 4-year Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 6 months of laboratory experience; a 2-year Associate’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience; 6 years of laboratory experience without a degree; previous experience in a municipal wastewater treatment facility; experience with North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) wastewater reporting requirements and eDMR systems; experience performing BOD, fecal coliform, ammonia nitrogen, and other regulatory wastewater analyses.
• Special Requirements: North Carolina Grade I Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification, or ability to obtain within 12 months. Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with the ability to meet the City’s Motor Vehicle Driver Eligibility Policy.

Skills

• Wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, and laboratory procedures.
• Standard wastewater analytical methods and quality control practices.
• North Carolina wastewater laboratory certification requirements and regulatory compliance standards.
• Environmental regulations related to wastewater discharge permits and monitoring requirements.
• Chemical handling procedures, laboratory safety practices, and equipment maintenance.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping.
• Frequent lifting of light and occasionally heavy objects.
• Climbing ladders.
• Using tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
• Indoors, as well as outdoors, which could cause exposure to outdoor elements.
• Some areas can have loud noise, active machinery, high pressure fluid systems, electrical equipment, confined spaces, heights and depths, fumes, airborne particles, noxious gases, bloodborne pathogens, and various chemicals.
• Must be able to sit, stand, stoop, twist and bend at the waist, turn, kneel, squat, raise arms above shoulder height, grasp, reach, perform repetitive hand movements and fine coordination when preparing reports and using a computer keyboard.
• Must have vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, and operate office equipment.
• Must have hearing in the normal range with or without correction.
• Within a 12-hour time-period, must be able to transport self across the facility, ascend and descend stair steps, lift objects up to 50 pounds from floor level to waist height, wearing and using appropriate safety equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
• Ability to respond to emergency call-outs and perform operational duties as assigned.