LABORATORY ANALYST I or II

City of Riverside; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Riverside is seeking Laborator y Analyst I or II in the Sewer - Laboratory Service Division of the Public Works Department. An eligibility list may be used for current and upcoming vacancies for up to six months, with a salary range shown below.

Analysts perform chemical and bacteriological analyses of wastewater, industrial waste, and receiving water, and must obtain CWEA certification within 18 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Biology required.
• 1 year of laboratory experience in wastewater or similar facility for Analyst I.
• CWEA Grade I certification within 18 months of appointment for Analyst I.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Biology required for Analyst II.
• Three years of lab experience, or two years as Analyst I, for Analyst II.
• CWEA Grade II certification within 18 months of employment for Analyst II.

Responsibilities

• Perform chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses of samples from wastewater processes and receiving water.
• Calibrate and operate laboratory instruments; prepare records and reports.
• Maintain inventory and standardize reagents; ensure safety regulations compliance.
• Assist in method validation, data review, and testing quality control.

Skills

Chemical analyses

Bacteriological analyses

Ion Chromatography

Quality control

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or Biology

Tools

Ion Chromatography

COD analyses

BOD analyses

Job description

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for the position of Laboratory Analyst I or II to fill one (1) vacancy in the Sewer - Laboratory Service Division of the Public Works Department. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.

The Riverside Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) is located at 5950 Acorn Street Riverside, CA 92504. The plant was recently expanded and retrofitted to meet the needs of future generations. This plant expansion introduced several new technologies designed to produce high quality effluent water and increase the plant's efficiency. As currently constructed, the RWQCP consists of two separate treatment plants with a common chlorine contact basin, de-chlorination and outfall structures. These provide preliminary, primary, secondary and tertiary treatment for a rated capacity of 46 million gallons per day (MGD) or enough to fill up 70 Olympic size pools.

Laboratory Analysts, under general supervision, perform chemical and bacteriological analyses and examinations according to standard methods and procedures, and do related work as required.

Laboratory Analyst I
$67,260.00 - $81,792.00 Annually

Laboratory Analyst II
$83,664.00 - $101,640.00 Annually

Laboratory Analyst I

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses of samples taken from wastewater treatment plant processes, industrial waste, domestic water, and receiving water.
• Perform Ion Chromatography analyses, COD analyses, hydrogen sulfide analyses, BOD analyses, and various other analyses to ensure the safety and compliance of all wastewater; calibrates equipment and performs all related analyses tasks with professionalism and accuracy.
• Prepare, draft, and maintain a variety of records and reports.
• Maintain and operate laboratory instruments; make appropriate determinations on various equipment to use in the testing and evaluation of samples.
• Implement and use analytical methods for effective analysis and discovery; ensure the most transparent processes are used to evaluate samples; handle all samples in compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Review and evaluate test results; identify areas of concern, make suggestions, provide detailed analysis and explanation, and provide concrete evidence of test findings.
• Order laboratory supplies; maintain inventory and general accounting of supplies.
• Prepare and standardize solutions and reagents used in laboratory analyses.
• Clean, acid wash, and sterilize laboratory glassware, equipment, and utensils; ensure equipment remains operational and stocked.
• Assist in the technical operations and overall activities of the laboratory; clean equipment and store all utensils and glassware; dispose of waste and biological material according to regulations and standards.
• Observe housekeeping and safety regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biology, or a closely related field.

Experience: One (1) year of laboratory experience in a wastewater or similar facility.

Necessary Special Requirement for Laboratory Analyst I

• Possession of a Grade I Laboratory Analyst certification issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) within 18 months of appointment.

Laboratory Analyst II

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses of samples taken from wastewater treatment plant processes, industrial waste, domestic water, and receiving water.
• Perform Ion Chromatography analyses, COD analyses, hydrogen sulfide analyses, BOD analyses, and various other analyses to ensure the safety and compliance of all wastewater; calibrates equipment and performs all related analyses tasks with professionalism and accuracy.
• Prepare, draft, and maintain a variety of records and reports.
• Maintain and operate laboratory instruments; make appropriate determinations on various equipment to use in the testing and evaluation of samples.
• Implement and use analytical methods for effective analysis and discovery; ensure the most transparent processes are used to evaluate samples; handle all samples in compliance with safety regulations and standards.
• Assist in the preparation of method validation packages for certification purposes.
• Review and evaluate test results; identify areas of concern, make suggestions, provide detailed analysis and explanation, and provide concrete evidence of test findings.
• Order and purchase laboratory supplies; maintain inventory and general accounting of supplies.
• Prepare and standardize solutions and reagents used in laboratory analyses.
• Clean, acid wash, and sterilize laboratory glassware, equipment, and utensils; ensure equipment remains operational and stocked.
• Assist in the technical operations and overall activities of the laboratory; clean equipment and store all utensils and glassware; dispose of waste and biological material according to regulations and standards.
• Observe housekeeping and safety regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Chemistry, Biology, or a closely related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in a laboratory setting, or two (2) years of laboratory experience comparable to that of a Laboratory Analyst I in a wastewater laboratory or facility.

Necessary Special Requirement for Laboratory Analyst II

• Possession of a Grade II Laboratory Analyst certification issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) within 18 months of employment.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Work is done inside a laboratory environment with exposure to biowaste, hazards, chemicals, equipment, sampling materials, and fumes. Employees may interact with staff and/or public and private representatives and will provide professional customer service.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:

1) Completed Employment Application

2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire

3) Current California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Certificate, if applicable

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

The City of Riverside does not provide sponsorship for employment-based work visas. Candidates must be legally authorized to work permanently in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

An exception may be made if the selected candidate is eligible to work in the United States as a USMCA professional in the TN nonimmigrant classification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at Members – NACES or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.