LABORATORY TECHNICIAN I, II, III, IV

General Definition of Work


Lab Tech I, II
Performs intermediate technical work in collecting and analyzing industrial wastewater, surface water, distribution water and/or municipal wastewater samples; does related work as required. Work is performed under the moderate supervision of the Laboratory Supervisor.

Lab Tech III
Performs difficult technical work in collecting and analyzing industrial wastewater, surface water, distribution water and/or municipal wastewater samples; does related work as required. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Laboratory Supervisor.

Lab Tech IV
Performs complex technical work in collecting and analyzing industrial wastewater, surface water, distribution water and/or municipal wastewater samples; assists with support and training; does related work as required. Work is performed under the general direction of the Laboratory Supervisor.

Essential Functions/Duties
Lab Tech I
Maintains a safe work area. 5%
Performs a variety of standardized laboratory tests of process control, regulatory compliance and/or commercial samples in either a field or laboratory setting; Prepares Chains of Custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary. 40%
Responsible for maintaining a neat work area and laboratory housekeeping; maintains analytical equipment located in the laboratory and in field settings. 10%
Properly collects representative samples from designated locations. 20%
Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media and preservatives as needed. 5%
Keeps neat and accurate records; schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources. 5%
Cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus. 5% Prepares a variety of wastewater samples for storage or analysis. 5%
Performs various computer tasks. 5%

Lab Tech II
Maintains a safe work area;5%
Performs a variety of standardized laboratory tests of process control, regulatory compliance and/or commercial samples in either a field or laboratory setting; 45%
Responsible for maintaining a neat work area and laboratory housekeeping; maintains analytical equipment located in the laboratory and in field settings;10%
Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media and preservatives as needed;10%
Schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources;
Keeps neat and accurate records;5%
Properly collects representative samples from designated locations;5%
Prepares a variety of water and wastewater samples for storage or analysis;
Assists in maintaining an inventory of chemicals, solutions, general lab supplies, and equipment;5%
Cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus;5%
Prepares Chains of Custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary;5%
Performs various computer tasks;5%

Lab Tech III
Maintains a safe work area;
Investigate and troubleshoot issues with instrumentation and analysis;10%
Performs a variety of standardized laboratory tests of process control, regulatory compliance and/or commercial samples in either a field or laboratory setting;45%
Assists in training new personnel;10%
Assists in interpreting laboratory test results and in preparing technical reports; assists in maintaining laboratory safety program;10%
Schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources;
Prepares Chains of Custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary; Performs various computer tasks;10%
Prepares a variety of wastewater samples for storage or analysis;
Assists in maintaining an inventory of chemicals, solutions, general lab supplies, and equipment; Keeps neat and accurate records; Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media and preservatives as needed;5% Responsible for maintaining a neat work area and laboratory housekeeping; maintain analytical equipment located in the laboratory and in field settings; Cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus; Properly collects representative samples from designated locations.10%

Lab Tech IV
Maintains a safe work area; Investigate and troubleshoot issues with instrumentation and analysis;10%
Trains new personnel and assists in broadening the expertise of other technicians.10%
Monitors Quality Control/Quality Assurance practices; Assists in writing Standard Operating Procedures for new and existing tests; Independently sets up new tests according to Standard Methods10% Performs a variety of standardized laboratory tests of process control, regulatory compliance and/or commercial samples in either a field or laboratory setting; 35%
Interprets laboratory test results and prepares technical reports;5%
Supervises overall activities of subordinate Laboratory Technicians as required; Schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources; Prepares Chains of Custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary;10%
Maintains laboratory safety program under direction of Laboratory Supervisor;5%
Performs various computer tasks;5%
Prepares a variety of wastewater samples for storage or analysis; Maintains inventory of chemicals, solutions, general lab supplies, and equipment; Keeps neat and accurate records; Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media and preservatives as needed; cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus;5%
Responsible for maintaining a neat work area and laboratory housekeeping; maintain analytical equipment located in the laboratory and in field settings; Properly collects representative samples from designated locations;5%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Lab Tech I
Some knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials, and equipment, including those used in standard chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater; some knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis; ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples; ability to make complex mathematical calculations; ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.

Lab Tech II
General knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials and equipment, including those used in standard chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater; general knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis; ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples; ability to make complex mathematical calculations; ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.

Lab Tech III
Thorough knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials, and equipment, including those used in standard chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater; thorough knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis; ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples; ability to make complex mathematical calculations; ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.

Lab Tech IV
Comprehensive knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials, and equipment, including those used in standard chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater; comprehensive knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis; ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples; ability to make complex mathematical calculations; ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public.

Education/Experience/Physical Demands/Special Requirements/Additional Information
Lab Tech I
Graduation from high school or equivalent and moderate experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lab Tech II
Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or related field and moderate experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Lab Tech III
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or related field and considerable experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lab Tech IV
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or related field and considerable experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Lab Tech I
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Wastewater:
NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class I certification within eighteen months of hire.
Water:
NCWOA Laboratory Analyst Water Bacteriology certification within eighteen months

Lab Tech II
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Wastewater:
NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class II certification within 24 months of hire.
Valid driver's license.
Water: Obtain an NC C-Surface Water Treatment Operator certification and NCWOA Laboratory Analyst Water Bacteriology certification within 24 months of hire.
NIMS certification 700 must be obtained within 12 months of hire.
Valid driver's license.

Lab Tech III
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Wastewater: Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class III certification upon hire.
Water: NC B-Surface Water Treatment Operator certification, NCWOA Laboratory Analyst Water Bacteriology and Process Control Chemistry certifications upon hire.
Possession of NIMS 700 certification within 12 months of hire.
Valid North Carolina driver's license.

Lab Tech IV
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Wastewater: Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class IV certification upon hire.
Water: NC A-Surface Water Treatment Operator certification, NCWOA Laboratory Analyst Water Bacteriology and Process Control Chemistry certifications upon hire.
Possession of NIMS 700 certification within 12 month of hire.
Valid North Carolina driver's license.

The following applies to all four levels of Laboratory Technicians:
The physical activity of this position includes

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
The physical requirements of this position
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcription; computer terminal; extensive reading; and using measurement devices.

The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.

Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history.

Drug screening and criminal background check required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/H

United States
North Carolina
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