Chemist I - Microbiologist (Temporary)

City of Phoenix; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Phoenix seeks a Chemist I - Microbiologist to join its Water Services Department. This temporary role involves performing crucial compliance testing and analyses ensuring high water quality standards. Ideal candidates have experience in microbiological testing and are proficient with laboratory protocols, contributing to public health initiatives.

Benefits

Traditional pension with contributions

401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions

Generous medical insurance plans

Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year

Paid time off including 13.5 paid holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Two years of professional level experience in chemical and microbiological analyses.
• Familiar with EPA and NELAP regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Perform compliance testing for microorganisms per EPA and Standard Methods.
• Conduct microbial analyses of water and wastewater samples.
• Develop scientifically sound methods to ensure regulatory compliance.

Skills

Laboratory Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures

Microbial analysis of water and wastewater

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology or a related field

Job description

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About This Position

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country and the vibrant center of one of the fastest-growing job markets and economies in the United States. With more than 14,000 employees working across 35 departments, the city of Phoenix offers opportunity for career growth and advancement. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, working in public service offers many rewards! Please join us in our mission as we attract, develop, support, and retain a talented workforce so they can provide exceptional services to our community. The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

About This Position

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country and the vibrant center of one of the fastest-growing job markets and economies in the United States. With more than 14,000 employees working across 35 departments, the city of Phoenix offers opportunity for career growth and advancement. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, working in public service offers many rewards! Please join us in our mission as we attract, develop, support, and retain a talented workforce so they can provide exceptional services to our community. The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

The Water Services Microbiologist is a Chemist I Specialty position and is assigned to the Environmental Services Division (ESD) in the Water Services Department. This position is responsible for performing compliance testing for microorganisms per EPA and Standard Methods as well as method development in various regulatory programs and special studies for the Water Services Department. The microbiology group regularly engages in the microbiological (total and fecal coliform), parasitology (cryptosporidium and giardia), and molecular biology (polymerase chain reaction) analyses of water and wastewater samples in accordance with federal and state laboratory requirements and internal quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) policies and procedures. This Specialty assignment differs from the base classification of Chemist I due to the greater quality control and documentation requirements to develop scientifically sound, legally defensible methods that ensure compliance and maintain the laboratory's ADHS licensure and NELAP accreditation.

This temporary position will be funded through September 30, 2027, with a possibility to be made regular in a future budget cycle. The temporary position will have benefits but will not earn city retirement credits or participate financially into the city's retirement program. If the successful candidate is a current City employee, all benefits will still be applicable and the employee will still contribute to their pension. Temporary positions are not covered under civil service rules, and thus employment is considered "at-will" and employees may be separated at any time.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Knowledge of the following:
• Laboratory Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures, especially those required by NELAP.
• EPA and Standard Methods related to the microbial analysis of water and wastewater.
• State, Federal, and NELAP regulations.
  

SALARY

Pay and Hiring Range: $26.18 - $47.01 per hour .

Pay Range Explanation

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

Benefits

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Employer paid long-term disability
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
  
  

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of professional level experience in chemical and microbiological analyses in the public health or chemical laboratory field.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here .
• The City job description can be found here .
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus experience in/with:

• Technical instrumentation and analytical procedures including any or all of the following: Colilert P/A, Colilert MPN, Heterotrophic Plate Count, and Multiple Tube Fermentation.
• Following EPA and Standard Methods, and Arizona Department of Health Services policies and procedures for Laboratory accreditation and licensure.
• Technical instrumentation and analytical procedures for utilizing PCR in order to quantify bacteria and viruses.
• Using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other data entry applications.
• Writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures for various analytical methods.
• Troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Analyzing for Cryptosporidium and Giardia following EPA Method 1623.
• Biomonitoring principals and utilizing aseptic techniques.
• Reviewing microbiological data for compliance reporting.
  
  

RECRUITMENT DATES

Recruitment closes June 30, 2025. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and will not result in any ongoing eligibility list. This recruitment and any selection processes resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill other related vacancies within the organization now or in the near future.

How To Apply

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

• Job interviews may be held by video or audio conference.
• If you are in need of computer resources, click here for free options.
• Arizona at Work has frequent classes to help with resume writing, interviewing skills, and general career guidance. Click here for more information.
• Explore other Employment Opportunities with the City of Phoenix .
• Subscribe to receive e-mail notifications about new employment opportunities.
• If you require assistance at any stage of the application process due to an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at [phone] or by text at [phone] . You may also fill out and submit a Reasonable Accommodation Request Form .
  
  

REFERENCE

Chemist I*Specialty, JC:23412, ID# 58264 , 06/16/2025, USM, JG, Benefits:007, Q

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

#DoWorkThatMakesPhoenixWork

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.

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