Laboratory Assistant I

Sacbar; La Verne, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Medical dental vision

Public transportation reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Career development

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is seeking a Laboratory Assistant I in La Verne, CA. This entry‑level role supports sample preparation, labware handling, and QA/QC activities while learning hands‑on laboratory operations.

You will assist with solution preparation, sample receiving, and basic equipment maintenance, contributing to accurate testing and data management. The position offers a structured schedule and growth opportunities within a large utility.

Qualifications

• Education and experience: High school diploma or HSEC.
• Required knowledge: Basic mathematics and current office technology/equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support daily laboratory operations by cleaning glassware and labware and preparing, sterilizing, and decontaminating laboratory materials.
• Prepare laboratory solutions and reagents, along with sample collection containers for routine, special, and emergency sampling needs.
• Assist with sample receiving and tracking by generating collection lists and labels, verifying samples, and entering sample information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Help keep laboratory operations running smoothly by assisting with routine equipment maintenance and purchasing and maintaining laboratory supplies.
• Support laboratory quality assurance and quality control activities by maintaining accurate records and required documentation.

Skills

Basic mathematics

Education

High school diploma or HSEC

Job description

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people—and to accomplish this,we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.

There is currently 1 opening for Laboratory Assistant I located at La Verne, CA.

This recruitment may result in an eligibility list*.

The Laboratory Assistant I will play an important role in supporting Metropolitan's laboratory operations and helping ensure accurate, efficient sample processing and testing. In this entry-level opportunity, you will gain hands‑on laboratory experience while supporting sample preparation and receiving, preparing laboratory materials and solutions, maintaining equipment and supplies, and assisting with quality assurance and quality control activities.

What You’ll Do:

• Support daily laboratory operations by cleaning glassware and labware and preparing, sterilizing, and decontaminating laboratory materials.
• Prepare laboratory solutions and reagents, along with sample collection containers for routine, special, and emergency sampling needs.
• Assist with sample receiving and tracking by generating collection lists and labels, verifying samples, and entering sample information into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
• Help keep laboratory operations running smoothly by assisting with routine equipment maintenance and purchasing and maintaining laboratory supplies.
• Support laboratory quality assurance and quality control activities by maintaining accurate records and required documentation.

This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.

Schedule: 44/36, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday/Every other Friday off. Monday through Thursday 9 hours per day, 8 hours per day every other Friday.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience: High school diploma or High School Equivalency Certificate (HSEC).

Required Knowledge: Basic mathematics; and current office technology and equipment.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Excellent working environment
• Public transportation reimbursements

For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)

ABOUT MWD

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.

Metropolitan is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace for all employees.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please reach out to the Human Resources Office at [phone] or email [e-mail]. In accordance with applicable laws, we provide religious accommodations for sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, and observances that conflict with work requirements. If you require a religious accommodation during the application, interview, or employment process, please reach out to the EEO Office at [phone] or [e-mail]. Requests are evaluated on a case-by‑case basis.

Application Filing Period: Closes at 11:59 pm PT on the date stated in the job announcement. However, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.

Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process—but are not selected for the initial vacancy—may be placed on this list for future openings.

The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.

Qualifying Experience: