Laboratory Technician - Water

Collier County; Naples (FL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Collier County seeks a Laboratory Technician to perform routine field collection and laboratory testing of water samples to ensure quality and adherence to federal, state, and local standards.

The role involves collecting samples from diverse sources, conducting field and laboratory analyses, and maintaining detailed records to support regulatory reporting and facility inspections.

Qualifications

• Vocational/technical degree required.
• One year of related experience; candidates without a degree should possess an additional year of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.

Responsibilities

• Collects and labels water samples from production wells, monitoring wells, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, local homes/businesses, storage facilities, water main construction sites, or other locations; schedules appointments to collect samples.
• Conducts and records field sampling for main clearance inspections, monthly compliance, monthly fluoride, customer complaints, well surveys, heterotrophic plate count, distribution rechecks, and injection wells; collects THM, lead, and copper test samples; maintains chain of custody of samples to ensure integrity of test results.
• Prepares microbiological media and reagents for use in testing; prepares media and sets up for heterotrophic plate count, membrane filtration analysis, and multiple tube fermentation; maintains quality control of media, dilution/rinse water, coliform confirmation, Millipore filters, petri dishes, thio-bags, and autoclaves.
• Performs routine analysis of microbiological and chemical components; performs daily process control and chemical analysis; conducts total coliform testing for compliance, main clearance, well surveys, customer complaints, and distribution recheck; performs multiple chemical analyses on injection well samples; analyzes chemical parameters for compliance, process control, injection well program, and dead-end testing.
• Performs standard chemical and bacteriological examinations to analyze samples as required by environmental agencies, Division procedures, and standard laboratory procedures for various parameters; conducts testing to identify levels of alkalinity, ammonia, chloride, chlorine, conductivity, copper, fecal coliform, heterotrophic plate count, iron, lead, nitrate, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus, or other materials.

Education

Vocational/technical degree

One year of related experience

Job description

Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.

NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

Performs routine field collection and laboratory testing/analysis of water samples from various sources to ensure quality of water and to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local standards.

• Collects and labels water samples from production wells, monitoring wells, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, local homes/businesses, storage facilities, water main construction sites, or other locations; schedules appointments to collect samples.
• Conducts and records field sampling for main clearance inspections, monthly compliance, monthly fluoride, customer complaints, well surveys, heterotrophic plate count, distribution rechecks, and injection wells; collects THM, lead, and copper test samples; maintains chain of custody of samples to ensure integrity of test results.
• Prepares microbiological media and reagents for use in testing; prepares media and sets up for heterotrophic plate count, membrane filtration analysis, and multiple tube fermentation; maintains quality control of media, dilution/rinse water, coliform confirmation, Millipore filters, petri dishes, thio-bags, and autoclaves.
• Performs routine analysis of microbiological and chemical components; performs daily process control and chemical analysis; conducts total coliform testing for compliance, main clearance, well surveys, customer complaints, and distribution recheck; performs multiple chemical analyses on injection well samples; analyzes chemical parameters for compliance, process control, injection well program, and dead-end testing.
• Performs standard chemical and bacteriological examinations to analyze samples as required by environmental agencies, Division procedures, and standard laboratory procedures for various parameters; conducts testing to identify levels of alkalinity, ammonia, chloride, chlorine, conductivity, copper, fecal coliform, heterotrophic plate count, iron, lead, nitrate, pH, sulfate, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus, or other materials.
• Performs quality assurance and quality control procedures to ensure integrity of samples and test results.
• Maintains logs, charts, computer records, and other records of sampling activities, laboratory analysis, testing results, or other activities in compliance with regulatory reporting requirements and laboratory certifications on quality control, quality assurance, and laboratory procedures; monitors and logs temperatures of refrigerators, incubators, and water baths; monitors and records data for corrosion meter.
• Calculates and records results of tests; compares results against standards.
• Reports test results to regulatory agencies, supervisory personnel, water treatment plant personnel, or others as appropriate; informs Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) of results of main clearance inspections and results of all tests to meet regulatory requirements.
• Changes out corrosion coupons and corrosion electrodes.
• Operates a variety of machinery, equipment and tools associated with laboratory operations, which may include a laboratory truck, microscope, comparator, scale/balance, nanopore water system, deionized water system, autoclave, oven, magnetic stir plate, hot plate, incubator, laboratory refrigerator, spectrophotometer, ammonia meter, fluoride meter, pH meter, colony counter, autoanalyzer, titration burette, desiccator, propane torch, alcohol burner, vacuum pump, laboratory paraphernalia, laboratory glassware, medias, testing materials, hand tools, or two-way radio.
• Performs general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment.
• Monitors inventory levels of laboratory equipment, chemicals, and supply items; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates orders for new or replacement materials.
• Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; disposes of hazardous waste materials per established procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert moderate, though not constant physical effort, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight (12-20 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, depth, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature extremes, fumes, hazardous materials, traffic hazards, water hazards, bright/dim light, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, animal/wildlife attacks, or animal bites.

• Vocational/technical degree required.
• One (1) year of related experience.
• Candidates without a related degree should possess an additional one (1) year of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid State of Florida Class 3 Water Distribution License within eighteen (18) months from the date of hire.

Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County’s Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.

This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.