Microbiologist

California Water Service Group; Commerce (CA); On-site; USD 106,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group in Commerce, CA, seeks a Microbiologist to perform routine QA/QC analyses, prepare media, labels, and manage the sampling schedule. The role supports district personnel and project managers with data entry in LIMS and communication of results.

Ideal candidates have EPA methods knowledge and a strong microbiology background, with on-call weekends/holidays and opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement in a leading water utility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in microbiology, chemistry, biology, or related field with six years in lab work.
• Master's degree with four years in lab environment preferred.
• Experience with EPA methods and the EPA Manual for the Certification of Laboratories.

Responsibilities

• Perform QA/QC on testing equipment and media per Standard Methods and EPA Manual.
• Prepare standard bacteriological media and sample labels/COCs.
• Review and monitor the bacteriological sampling schedule for regulatory sampling.
• Receive and process bacteriological samples and perform testing per EPA methods.
• Enter data and results into LIMS; communicate results to district personnel.
• Assist in maintaining laboratory safety and train technicians as needed.
• Record results and keep hardcopy lab data organized; participate in CI activities.

Skills

QA/QC testing

LIMS data entry

Bacteriological analysis

EPA methods

Education

Bachelor's degree in microbiology or related field

Master's degree in chemistry or microbiology

Tools

LIMS

Standard Methods

Job description

California Water Service Job Description: California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values-integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact. Microbiologist is the intermediate level in this classification series. Microbiologists in this class perform routine analysis and daily/monthly/quarterly QA/QC regularly. Microbiologists will also assist the Microbiology lab with printing sample labels, COCs, overseeing the monitoring schedule, data entry, reporting, and communicating with district personnel and Project Managers. This position is located in Commerce, CA.

Essential Functions:

• Perform standard QA/QC on testing equipment and media according to Standard Methods and the EPA Manual for Certification of Laboratories
• Prepare standard bacteriological media
• Prepare sample labels, and COCs
• Review and monitor the bacteriological sampling schedule for all regulatory sampling
• Receive and process bacteriological samples
• Perform bacteriological testing based on Standard Methods and the EPA Manual for the certification of Laboratories
• Evaluate and interpret results of analytical testing
• Enter data and results of analyses into the laboratory information management system (LIMS)
• Communicate with district personnel and Project Managers concerning COC errors, results or re-sampling
• Assist in maintaining laboratory safety
• Train laboratory technicians, and/or cross-train analysts as needed
• Understand the notification procedure for Total Coliform Rule samples
• Perform proficiency tests as required
• Keep laboratory facilities in a clean and orderly condition
• Participate in inventory management of the microbiology lab
• On call weekends and holidays as required
• Perform various methods used to identify microorganisms
• Record results of analyses and keep records of hardcopies generated by the lab
• Responsible for keeping hardcopy micro laboratory data in order (binders, reports, COC and QC)
• Responsible for inputting backlog data
• Participate in Continuous Improvement (CI) activities
• Perform other related duties as required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in microbiology, chemistry, biology, or related field, with six years of experience working in laboratory environment, supporting microbiological or chemical analysis, or Master's degree an accredited college or university in chemistry, microbiology, biology, or related field with four years of experience working in laboratory environment, supporting microbiological or chemical analysis, or Two years of experience as an Assistant Microbiologist Have a working knowledge of EPA methods, the EPA Manual for the Certification of Laboratories, Standard Methods and Title 22, where appropriate

Salary Range: $106,135.33 - $147,069.90

Deadline to submit resume is Tuesday, November 5, 2026.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity.

California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class.

The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner.

EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.

California Water Service Group invites you to pursue a career in the water industry with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Our mission is to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services. We're committed to improving the quality of life for our customers, communities, stockholders, and employees. To achieve that, we align our hiring strategies with the company's core values of integrity, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship so that we can provide quality, service, and value to all of these groups. Our commitment to our employees is evident, as we have been named a Top Workplace in the Bay Area and designated as a Great Place to Work®, and Cal Water was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among Water Utilities in the West" by J.D. Power in its inaugural water utility satisfaction study.