LAB TECH I/II

Nampa, ID

City of Nampa
Lab Technician I/II

Hiring Salary Range (DOE): Tech I $17.38-$20.86, Tech II $19.28-$23.14
Position Salary Range: $17.38-$26.99

The City of Nampa offers competitive benefits and growth opportunities, including:

• Medical ($0 Premium for Employee-Only Coverage)
• Dental
• Vision
• PERSI Retirement Plan with over 11% employer contribution which is considered one of the Nation’s best state retirement systems offering a lifetime benefit after vesting.
• 401k & 457 Retirement Plans
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Life Insurance with AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer-Funded HRA VEBA
• Wellness Program
• Opportunity for student Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Harward Recreation Center Discounts

Other Great Benefits!

Department: Environmental Compliance
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Grade/Level: Tech I- 15, Tech II- 16
Job Type: Regular
Job Status: Full Time
Reports To: Assigned Supervisor
Amount of Travel: None
Positions Supervised: None
Work Schedule: Generally 8:00am-5:00pm ; however, you must be able to work flexible and varied hours.



POSITION SUMMARY
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Analyzes plant and industry samples for plant process control, NPDES permit compliance, and industrial billing; performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The principal function of an employee in this class is to analyze plant and industry samples for plant process control, to ensure compliance with all Federal and State regulations, and for billing significant industrial users. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of Laboratory Tech III, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Environmental Compliance Superintendent, other City employees, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a laboratory environment with exposure to dangerous chemicals and harmful pathogens.



ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions Statement(s)

• Performs daily analyses of Plant and industrial wastewater samples for NPDES/EPA permit limits, process control, and billing purposes as required.
• Runs quality assurance and quality control analyses to ensure the accuracy of laboratory techniques.
• Interprets and evaluates laboratory results to determine feasibility, reports any unusual findings to designated personnel, and/or recommends or implements the appropriate corrective measures to ensure an expedient resolution.
• Maintains related logs and records in an accurate and current manner, including, but not limited to, maintaining daily worksheets in hard copy, monthly logs in hard copy computer logs, and all archived logs.
• Maintains the laboratory and equipment in a clean and orderly manner to ensure a safe and efficient work environment.
• Prepares supplies for tests, including making chemical numbering, washing, and weighing filters and pans before each use.
• Performs daily performance inspections of equipment, including recording temperatures, calibrating, and observing equipment operation as required.
• Replenishes chemical supply as necessary, including making chemicals utilized during the course of the day.
• Conducts specified tests on a weekly basis to ensure the Plant meet all permit limits, including running total phosphorous, orthophosphate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, turbidity, and hardness, and special tests on the primary digester, primary clarifier influent and effluent, the trickle filter, and the final clarifier, and other related tests as a scheduled.
• Maintains an efficient inventory of laboratory chemicals, supplies, and equipment to ensure efficient operations, including monitoring stock levels, and reporting stock deficiencies to the immediate supervisor as required.
• Performs any special testing as requested for authorized personnel as required.
• Verifies the performance of plant equipment on a monthly basis as scheduled, including verifying the performance of equipment, confirming the deionized water standards are satisfied, calibrating lab and plant thermometers, and preparing stock cultures of bacteria as required.
• Performs scheduled tests on an annual basis, including soap residue tests.
• Prepares a chain of custody for each sample, and makes complete and accurate logbook entries of all samples sent out for analysis, ensuring the preservation of samples in transport in accordance with EPA guidelines.
  

• ESSENTIAL RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS

Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.

Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.

Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.

Is punctual and timely in meeting requirements of performance, including attendance standards and work deadlines.

Communicates information and states concerns in a clear and professional manner.

Respects the opinion of others and demonstrate a reasonable relationship with employees, supervisors, and others.

Accepts and performs in a timely and effective manner changes in work assignments and/or how work is performed.

• REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

Thorough knowledge of basic chemical and biological characteristics and analytical methods of industrial and domestic wastewater, industrial waste, sludge, and receiving waters.

Thorough knowledge of related safety practices and emergency protocol.

Thorough knowledge of quantitative and qualitative analysis, and reference materials and sources relating to wastewater and industrial waste analyses.

Thorough knowledge of NPDES and industrial permit requirements and limits.

Thorough knowledge of the safe and proper use of standard laboratory equipment.

Thorough knowledge of basic principles of record keeping.

Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and City safety rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Thorough knowledge of mathematics, physics, and fluid flow to ensure accurate and efficient measurements and calculations.

• SKILLS/ABILITIES

Ability to analyze mathematical and physical data in an efficient and precise manner.
Ability to collect, and analyze wastewater and sludge samples.
Ability to work with hazardous chemicals and potentially lethal pathogens in a safe and proper manner.
Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions.
Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Ability to perform standardized chemical control tests and other related laboratory tests as required.
Ability to analyze mathematical and physical data in an efficient and precise manner.
Ability to collect, test, and analyze water samples.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned supervisors, other City employees, and the general public.
Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.



POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.
• Accuracy - Ability to perform work accurately and thoroughly.
• Analytical Thinking - Using a logical reasoning process to break down the work through a situation or problem to arrive at an outcome. Recognizing fundamental elements of a situation, clarifying the situation, examining the facts, evaluating, interpreting, and inter-grating solutions.
• Commitment to Safety - Understands, encourages, and carries out the principles of integrated safety management; complies with or oversees compliance with safety policies and procedures; completes all required training; takes personal responsibility for safety.
• Communication, Oral - Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Relationship Building - Ability to effectively build relationships with customers and co-workers.
• Responsible - Ability to be held accountable or answerable for one’s conduct.
• Teamwork - Ability to work as a productive member of a cohesive group toward a common goal, contributing to team development and effective team dynamics.
• Time Management - Ability to effectively utilize the available time for the completion of necessary job tasks.
• Working Under Pressure - Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.
  

Education:
High School Graduate or General Education Degree (GED): Required
Bachelor's Degree (four-year college or technical school) Required, Field of Study: Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related field.



Experience:
1 plus year of experience in laboratory work and wastewater treatment -Tech I
2 plus years of experience in laboratory work and wastewater treatment - Tech II
Any combination of experience and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.



Computer Skills:
Ability to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks and the ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and /or technology.



Certifications & Licenses:
Obtain a Class I Operators Certificate within two years- Tech I
Wastewater or Water Certification I - Tech II
Class II Laboratory Certification- Tech II
Valid State of Idaho Driver's License.



PHYSICAL DEMANDS

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.
O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5 hrs/day)
F (Frequently) Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5 hrs/day)
C (Constantly) Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5 hrs/day)

Physical Demands
Stand F
Walk F
Sit F
Manually Manipulate F
Grasp F
Reach Outward F
Reach Above Shoulder O
Speak F
Climb N
Crawl N
Squat or Kneel O
Bend O

Lift/Carry
10 lbs or less C
11-20 lbs F
21-50 lbs F
51-100 lbs O
Over 100 lbs N

Push/Pull
12 lbs or less F
13-25 lbs F
26-40 lbs F
41-100 lbs O

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The principal duties of this class are performed in a laboratory environment with exposure to dangerous chemicals and harmful pathogens.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION
FINGER DEXTERITY:
Sufficient finger or manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to operate a personal computer, telephone, related office equipment, hand and power tools, and related equipment.
SPEECH:
Sufficient clarity of speech or other communication ability with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to communicate effectively and convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly.
HEARING:
Sufficient clarity of hearing with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information.
VISUAL ABILITIES:
Sufficient visual acuity or other power of observation with or without reasonable accommodation to enable the employee to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned; to review a wide variety of materials in electronic or hard copy form and perform activities such as viewing a computer terminal; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection).
PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND PERSONAL MOBILITY:
Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which enables the employee to efficiently access a variety of City locations to perform inspections of industrial and commercial facilities in a variety of terrains and weather conditions.
Medium work – exerting up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally and/or up to 20 lbs of force frequently.

The City has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the city reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the city may deem appropriate.