Laboratory Technician I

The Laboratory Technician performs a variety of technical work related to the chemical, physical and bacteriological laboratory analysis in support of water supply and wastewater treatment operations; perform other duties as required in the position.

Job descriptions are intended to present a broad and general range of duties which includes, purpose, responsibilities, and scope of work. Job descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION
Perform a variety of technical work related to the chemical, physical and bacteriological laboratory analysis in support of water supply and wastewater treatment operations; perform other duties as required in the position.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is a flexibly staffed position. Laboratory Technician I's may be promoted into the Laboratory Technician II position once they obtain the necessary training, required certification, and demonstrate proficiency as a Laboratory Technician I.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED
Receives immediate supervision from a higher classification. May exercise technical supervision over other personnel.Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Perform a variety of technical work related to the chemical, physical and bacteriological laboratory analysis in support of water supply and wastewater treatment operations;

Perform a variety of technical work related to the chemical, physical and bacteriological laboratory analysis of process samples in wastewater; assure compliance with standard testing methods, procedures, regulations and certification requirements;

Evaluate and interpret effluent quality; utilize manual and automatic samplers to collect samples; utilize a variety of field equipment probes, meters, such as pH, conductivity, spectrophotometer, turbidimeter, dissolved oxygen probes and others;

Interpret lab data and determine appropriate corrective action; recalibrate equipment to facilitate proper chemical, physical and bacteriological levels; notify proper authority of potential permit violations as appropriate;

Operate and maintain a variety of test and laboratory equipment, such as a pH probe, incubator, autoclave, ion-analyzer, spectrophotometer, balance, scale, oven, electrode, burette, pipetter, hot plate, centrifuge, water bath, microscope, muffle furnace, calculator and others;

Assist in the preparation of mandated and requested reports related to quality control and results of laboratory tests according to compliance and certification requirements, including discharge monitoring, quality control and assurance reports, laboratory analysis worksheets, equipment maintenance and calibration records, inventory and others; submit reports to appropriate agency or personnel as required.

Performs other duties related to the operation of the department and the City including additional duties that enable the department and City to meet the diverse needs of its community. Knowledge of:
Chemistry and microbiology; Mathematics; Metric system;

Safety precautions in a laboratory setting

Ability To:
Perform a variety of technical work related to the chemical, physical and bacteriological laboratory analysis in support of water supply and wastewater treatment operations;

Learn how to perform a variety of chemical and biological laboratory tests; learn how to perform technical test procedures and analysis accurately and safely.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
High school diploma plus college level courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.

Experience:
No directly related experience required.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid Class C Driver's License issued from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental Conditions:
Exposure to safety hazards including noise, fumes, or odors, dusts or gases, chemicals, toxic materials, oil, and a variety of electrical and mechanical machinery.

Physical Conditions:
Functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary to see well enough to read, write and make observations, operate hand tools, vehicles and equipment; hear well enough to converse on the telephone and in person; bodily mobility to occasionally walk, bend, kneel, reach, stand, crouch or climb; operate assigned office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to verbally communicate to exchange information; ability to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature, noise, dust, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; while performing essential functions.

*FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT
Interested applicants must submit an online application at www.lodi.gov. No paper applications will be accepted. For technical difficulties with your online application, please call the Neogov helpline at ....

Telephone: .... Persons with hearing impairment, please call the California Relay Service 7-1-1.

Selection Process: Only the best qualified applicants will be invited to continue in the recruitment process.
INTERVIEW PROCESS: Candidates considered to be among the most qualified will be invited to participate in an interview. Fingerprints and/or background clearance is part of the testing process.

EVALUATION OF QUALIFICATIONS: Application materials and resumes will be screened to determine if applicants are considered to be among the most qualified as outlined on the job announcement. Only applicants who are among the most qualified will be invited to participate in the testing process. Resumes may not be substituted for a completed application.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - The City of Lodi is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a policy of fair employment practices regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, sex or sexual orientation, marital status, age, mental or physical disability or perceived disability, medical condition, pregnancy, political affiliation or belief, or other unlawful discrimination.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT - In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the City of Lodi provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations must contact the Human Resources Division upon application submittal to confirm the request.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION - City of Lodi is authorized and required by the state of California to access Local, State, and/or Federal criminal history as part of the testing process. This process can be completed by initial fingerprinting and/or a full Background investigation pursuant to Penal Code §11105(b)(10), §11105.3, §13300(b)(10); Education Code §10911.5; Public Resources Code §5164) and in compliance with the City of Lodi's Fingerprinting Policy and Procedure. As a future employee or volunteer, you are required to be fingerprinted and processed through the Department of Justice and cleared before you can start. All information obtained will be kept in strict confidentiality.

HIRING PROCEDURE - Applicants must possess the minimum qualifications by the final filing date. Eligible lists are established upon successful completion of the selection process. The candidates must be successful in each part of the testing. To fill each vacancy the hiring department will request names to be certified from the eligible list and will make a selection from this certification list.

CONDITIONAL JOB OFFERS - Conditional job offers are subject to successful completion of a medical drug screen and/or physical. Candidates should not quit or give notice to their current employer until final notification has been awarded by the Human Resources Division.

MEDICAL-DRUG SCREENING All positions may be subject to a physical or drug screen issued by a qualified medical physician assigned by the Human Resources Division. Under the requirements of the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the City of Lodi has been designated as a drug-free workplace.

APPOINTMENT - At the time of appointment all candidates will be required to execute an oath of allegiance and complete Form I-9 - Employment Eligibility Verification in compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act. United States citizenship is not required. All new appointees are required to successfully complete a probationary period of twelve months.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

SALARY - The starting salary is the first rate shown on the job announcement. Advancement to the higher steps of the salary range is based upon merit in accordance with the Salary Ordinance and Rules for Personnel Administration. Eligibility for the first merit increase is effective after 12 months and for additional merit increases after one year intervals until the employee has reached the maximum step.

HOLIDAY, VACATION, SICK, AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Holiday - An average of 13 paid holidays per year. Vacation - 2 weeks paid vacation annually, increasing with length of service depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Sick Leave - 10 days per year depending upon the appropriate labor agreement. Administrative Leave - Management/Mid-Management positions receive 80 hours per annual year, and specified professional/technical positions receive 40 hours per fiscal year (Pro-Rated).

HEALTH INSURANCE - Medical, Dental and Vision plans are available for employee and dependents. A portion of the premiums may be the employee's responsibility.

LIFE INSURANCE AND LONG TERM DISABILITY - The City pays the full premium for employee and dependent life insurance, and offers a long-term disability plan that provides up to approximately 2/3 of an employee's salary.

RETIREMENT AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION - The City of Lodi is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (P.E.R.S.). Lodi is not a member of the Social Security System except for the required medical contribution. Employees may participate in a 457 Deferred Compensation program.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in a Section 125 Flexible Spending Account.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This bulletin does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions or job duties contained in this bulletin may include modifications pending labor agreements and/or council approval.