Lab Specialist - Wastewater

City of Baytown, TX; Baytown (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Sick Leave Pool

Gym partnership

Wellness program

Job summary

City of Baytown, TX is seeking a Laboratory Specialist I to conduct essential tests for wastewater plants and ensure regulatory compliance. The role emphasizes meticulous recordkeeping, QA/QC, and collaboration with state agencies.

The lab supports public works and engineering projects and requires accurate daily analysis and weather reporting. The position involves supervising lab activities, potential training duties, and inventory management, with a strong focus on community health and

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• One year laboratory experience in Chemistry, Biology, or related field.
• Must obtain Wastewater License within two years.
• Computer literacy in Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Performs process control tests for wastewater plants and records results daily.
• Communicates lab results to plants and agencies; prepares NOAA weather reports.
• Plans and directs the lab; may train and coach personnel.
• Maintains inventory and orders lab supplies; performs QA/QC analyses.

Skills

Laboratory techniques

Process control tests

Recordkeeping

Regulatory compliance

Education

High School diploma or GED

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking a Laboratory Specialist I to perform essential tests and analyses for our Public Works & Engineering team. The role requires meticulous attention to detail and a strong foundation in laboratory techniques. Join us to ensure the quality and safety of critical infrastructure projects and contribute to meaningful community development.

Perform process control tests on wastewater plants according to TCEQ and EPA discharge permits to determine plant efficiency. Record daily analysis. Perform EPA DMR-QA studies and daily/monthly national weather reports.

Duties

• Performs process control tests for four wastewater plants, including moving trays of samples, dilution water and operating various test equipment.
• Calculates and records all laboratory analysis on a daily basis, gives lab results to plants to help monitor operations.
• Communicates with supervisors, office personnel, and State and Federal agencies. Prepares National weather report for NOAA.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the lab. May perform personnel related duties including training, and coaching.
• Inventories and orders lab supplies on a timely basis.
• Performs Discharge Monitoring Report Quality Assurance analysis for the TCEQ and EPA.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.

Required

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent (GED).
• One year laboratory experience in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field.
• Must obtain a Grade “B” Wastewater License from TCEQ within two years of date in position.
• Computer literate in Word and Excel.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record (must obtain TX driver’s license within 90 days).

Preferred

• Certification from the Texas Water Utility Association Laboratory Analysis Section (L.A.S.).
• Associates degree in related field from an accredited University.
• Grade “C” Surface Water License from TCEQ.
• Grade “C” Waste Water Treatment License from TCEQ.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Ability to work with limited supervision and to interpret Regulatory Rules and directives. Knowledge and ability to implement and maintain Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs. Ability to perform precise analytical measurement and make critical decisions under high levels of pressure in short periods of time. Must be computer literate in Word and Excel. Ability to get along appropriately with co-workers and the public.

Here at the City of Baytown, in recruiting for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that you bring. We strive to provide a workplace where differences are honored, with a workforce that reflects the diversity of the people we serve.

Attendance is an essential function of this position. The City reserves the right to require an employee in this position to work overtime. This position provides services or performs duties for the benefit of the general public during emergency situations. These may include services or duties different from those performed in the usual course and scope of your job. In the event of an evacuation, the incumbent in this position may be required to remain to perform needed services.

Overall Position Strength Demands

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

To promote health and wellness, we provide a comprehensive benefits program (listed below) to meet the needs of you and your family. Our goal is to help you live and work well – 365 days a year.

Medical

• United Healthcare
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Annual Deductible (Network) $750 Indiv/$2,250 Family
• In-Network Benefit 80%/20% after plan deductible
• $50 co-pay (general visit)
• RX - $10 Generic/$40 Formulary/$75 Non-Formulary
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and Dependent Care expenses
• FREE virtual visits

Dental

• Cigna Dental PPO & DHMO
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• Preventative & diagnostic covered at 100%
• Annual Deductible: $50/Indiv (Cigna PPO) - No annual deductible for Cigna DHMO

Vision

• Superior Vision
• Effective the first day of the month following 30 days of employment
• In-Network exam co-pay $10 & $25 materials co-pay
• Frames: $140 Allowance - Contact Lenses: $160 Allowance

Holistic Health & Wellness

• Employee Wellness Center offering FREE primary care medical treatment for employees & dependents on the Medical plan
• FREE access to gyms, Shipt, and Walmart+ through our employee medical insurance
• Gym partnership with Lee College Wellness Center & swimming pool for $58/year
• Employee Assistance Program providing employees and their household family members up to 8 FREE counseling sessions per issue per year, legal and financial assistance, will generator tools, and more!
• Sick Leave Pool providing participants additional paid sick time if accruals are exhausted.
• SmartDollar: free online program providing tips and tools from Dave Ramsey for getting out of debt and building good saving practices

Retirement

• Texas Municipal Retirement System:
• 7% employee contribution with a 14% employer match
• 5 year vesting
• Retirement Eligibility: 20 years of service/any age - or - 5 years of service/at least age 60
• FREE Life Insurance coverage up to 1X your base annual salary
• MissionSquare 457 and 457 Roth IRA plans: additional voluntary employee participation

Disability Insurance

• Equitable:
• Long-term Disability: voluntary elected coverage. Pays 60% of monthly earnings up to $8,000 per month up to social security age, depending on the disability
• Short-term Disability: voluntary elected coverage. Pays 60% of weekly earnings up to $1,000 per week for up to the first 13 weeks of a disability

Training and Tuition Assistance

• The HUB Employee Training Center: we invest in you by equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to live out our Purpose and Core Values
• Access to funding up to $1,500 per semester or $3,000 per year for tuition toward courses that are job-related or will enhance your work performance

Generous Paid Sick, Vacation, & Holiday Leave

• 10 holidays per year and one personal employee day per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• Starting at 10 days of vacation per year; up to 25 days per year
• Sick and Vacation hours roll over annually up to the maximum limit
• 15 days Paid Parental Leave

To explore all of the benefits we offer, please visit: baytownlife.com