Water Quality Lab Analyst – Growth & Field Support

City-of-SAN-Luis-Obispo-; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a Laboratory Analyst to support regulatory compliance, operations, and efficiency in the Water Quality Lab while helping advance the Utilities Department’s mission of protecting environmental and public health.

This role involves sampling and analysis across water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and sludge, with emphasis on QA, data integrity, and documentation. You will work independently and with teams, ensuring defensible data and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental, sanitary or public health engineering, natural or physical science.
• An Associate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental, sanitary or public health engineering, natural or physical science and two years of experience in the operation of water and wastewater lab equipment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Performs a variety of laboratory chemical, physical, and biological tests to determine compliance with state and federal regulatory agencies, process control parameters and to characterize raw water, treated water, wastewater and industrial waste streams.
• Collects water, wastewater, soil, sludge, and receives water samples from a variety of sources including creeks, spill sites, manholes, sewer lines and storm drains and maintains automatic samplers in proper working condition.
• Analyzes and interprets laboratory test data, identifies abnormal results, and provides operational recommendations with clear tabular and graphical summaries.
• Follows established Chemical Hygiene Plan.
• Follows established laboratory QA program and chain of custody procedures.
• Maintains detailed written and computerized records of laboratory data.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry or related field

Associate degree + 2 years lab experience

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

LIMS

SCADA

Job description

City of San Luis Obispo is seeking a Laboratory Analyst to support regulatory compliance, operations, and efficiency in the Water Quality Lab while helping advance the Utilities Department’s mission of protecting environmental and public health.

This role involves sampling and analysis across water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and sludge, with emphasis on QA, data integrity, and documentation. You will work independently and with teams, ensuring defensible data and timely reporting.