LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

City of Columbia; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbia seeks a Laboratory Technician to perform routine to complex analyses of water samples ensuring quality potable water for utility customers. The role supports lab maintenance, data entry, QA/QC, and customer service while developing work methods under general supervision.

Responsibilities include testing, reporting, repairs, inventory, and coordination of flushing for water quality goals.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction.
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information.
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Responsibilities

• Prepares chemical reagents for testing;
• Collects water samples for laboratory testing; conducts tests and records data in WIMS and computerised maintenance management systems; prepares laboratory reports as required by the City, S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and other agencies;
• Troubleshoots and performs maintenance and minor repairs of laboratory equipment; cleans and maintains laboratory instruments;
• Assists in maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment, supplies and materials;
• Coordinates distribution system flushing with appropriate department personnel when needed to ensure optimal water quality;
• Maintains accurate and complete work records;
• Maintains proper QA/QC for sample collection and bacterial analysis;
• Assists in maintaining laboratory certification and in ensuring laboratory operations are in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, regulations and standards of quality and safety;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints from City employees and customers in areas of responsibility; assists in tracking and addressing complaints;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and records, completing forms, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, etc.;
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education

Associate’s degree in laboratory science, chemistry, biology or closely related field

Job description

This position performs routine to complex laboratory analyses of water samples to ensure quality potable water for City utility customers; assists in maintaining the laboratory facility and equipment; provides professional and courteous customer service; and performs related work as required. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered light-to-medium in nature and involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: climbing, crouching, feeling, fingering, grasping, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals, confined spaces; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

• Prepares chemical reagents for testing;
• Collects water samples for laboratory testing; conducts tests and records data in WIMS and computerized maintenance management systems; prepares laboratory reports as required by the City, S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and other agencies;
• Troubleshoots and performs maintenance and minor repairs of laboratory equipment; cleans and maintains laboratory instruments;
• Assists in maintaining inventory of laboratory equipment, supplies and materials;
• Coordinates distribution system flushing with appropriate department personnel when needed to ensure optimal water quality;
• Maintains accurate and complete work records;
• Maintains proper QA/QC for sample collection and bacterial analysis;
• Assists in maintaining laboratory certification and in ensuring laboratory operations are in compliance with applicable policies, procedures, regulations and standards of quality and safety;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints from City employees and customers in areas of responsibility; assists in tracking and addressing complaints;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and records, completing forms, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, copying and filing documents, answering the telephone, etc.;
• Attends meetings, training, seminars, etc., as appropriate to enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Associate’s degree in laboratory science, chemistry, biology or closely related field;
• Six (6) months of relevant prior experience;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License.

Laboratory Progression Steps:

• Laboratory Technician Pay Grade 109 and Starting Salary: $43,024.00 - $54,855.50
• Laboratory Analyst I Pay Grade 110 and Salary Range: $46,251.00 - $58,970.00
• Laboratory Analyst II Pay Grade 111 and Salary Range: $49,720.00 - $63,393.00
• Laboratory Analyst III Pay Grade 112 and Salary Range: $53,449.00 - $68,147.50

• Knowledge of mathematics involving the practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions; or measurements, logarithmic or geometric construction. May use algebraic solutions of equations and inequalities; descriptive statistics; deductive geometry, plane and solid, and rectangular coordinates; mathematical classifications or schemes;
• Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
• Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to other technicians or interns;
• Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring moderate instruction and experience, such as laboratory equipment and water plant equipment;
• Ability to perform skilled work involving rules/systems with almost constant problem-solving;
• Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
• Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
• Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers, customers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.