Laboratory Scientist

City of Shreveport; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation and sick leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

10 paid holidays per year

Long term disability

Job summary

The City of Shreveport is seeking a Laboratory Scientist for the Water/Wastewater program. You will perform standardized chemical and microbiological tests, interpret results, and determine treatment needs for potable, industrial, wastewater, and sludge samples.

You will operate and calibrate lab equipment, maintain QA/QC, enter data into LIMS, prepare media and reagents, and report compliance data to EPA/DHH/DEQ while ensuring safety and participating in required training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biology or a closely related field.
• Form perception to recognize physical and chemical differences in materials and eye-hand coordination.
• Data handling skills, including facility with Microsoft Office or similar programs, generating emails, as well as laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Ability to prepare written reports and perform basic mathematical calculations accurately.
• Valid State Vehicle Operator's license.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of quantitative laboratory analysis including legal chain of custody and quality control.
• Amiss Plant Assignment - Hold or be able to obtain Class 2 Water Production, Water Treatment and Water Distribution Certificates issued by the State of Louisiana, Dept. of Health and Hospitals within 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Perform a variety of standardized chemical tests, physical tests and interpretation of moderately complex microbiological analyses to determine required treatment of potable, industrial, wastewater and sludge samples.
• Operates, calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment.
• Enter data into the LIMS system; report data and make procedural improvements.
• Prepare bacteriological media; perform quality control on media.
• Adhere to federal, state and local mandates for sample collection, analyses and reporting of data.
• Analyze waters for pathogens and other bacteria; coordinate with plant personnel to optimize performance.
• Maintain safety and participate in required trainings.

Job description

Duties

Laboratory Scientists Water/Wastewater work involves: performing a variety of standardized chemical tests, physical tests and interpretation of moderately complex microbiological analyses to determine required treatment of potable, industrial, wastewater and sludge samples. Operates, calibrates and maintains laboratory equipment. Maintain proper quality control/quality assurance. Works safely and follows City guidelines for safety. Enters data into the LIMS systems; recommends improvements in work procedures, methods and reporting forms. Prepares bacteriological media; performs quality control procedures on media prepared in house and purchased commercially. Adheres to all federal, state and local mandates regarding sample collection, analyses and reporting of data. Prepares and certifies standards and other reagents. Participates in and successfully passes the proficiency testing. May be instrumental participant in a certified microbiological laboratory. Is responsible for sample collection, sample analysis and reporting of compliance data to the EPA/DHH/DEQ. Analyzes waters for the presence of pathogens and other bacteria. Coordinates with Operation's personnel to optimize plant performance. Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Maintains job safety standards (personal protection equipment, best laboratory practices, etc.); complies with City of Shreveport vehicle safety rules. Regularly attends required safety, job related and certification training as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biology or a closely related field.
• Facility with form perception to recognize physical and chemical differences in materials and eye-hand coordination.
• Possess data handling skills, including facility with Microsoft Office or similar programs, generating emails, as well as laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Ability to prepare written reports and perform basic mathematical calculations accurately.
• Valid State Vehicle Operator's license.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of quantitative laboratory analysis including legal chain of custody and quality control.
• Amiss Plant Assignment - Hold or be able to obtain Class 2 Water Production, Water Treatment and Water Distribution Certificates issued by the State of Louisiana, Dept. of Health and Hospitals within 3 years.

Physical Requirements:

Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (10-20) pounds). Jobs must be performed with or without accommodations

Work Environment:

Tasks are performed with risk of exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as temperature and noise extremes, wetness, humidity, toxic/poisonous agents, and strong odors. Requires the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors. Requires the ability to perceive and discriminate odors. Must be able to communicate orally and perceive and discriminate sounds. Tasks require visual perception and discrimination.

The City of Shreveport offers many benefits including vacation and sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance, 10 paid holidays per calendar year and long term disability.