Wastewater Laboratory Technician

The Laboratory Technician performs intermediate technical work conducting chemical and bacteriological tests ensuring compliance and conformity with requirements and regulations, maintaining files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Laboratory & Environmental Compliance Manager.

The Hiring Range for this position is: $26.77 - $34.80 per hour.


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Analyzes samples for Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) accredited parameters; ensures all applicable quality control and quality assurance guidelines are followed; records result on bench sheets; completes statistical analyses and transfers information to necessary determination sheets; reviews bench sheets and prepares sample bottles; provides support to process laboratory.
• Records ongoing maintenance of all permit and process laboratory equipment in a compiled laboratory record and service history document; assists with annual facility walk-around with barcode equipment inventory outside contractor and updates finance departments online equipment inventory system.
• Ensures that all laboratory surfaces, glassware and equipment are kept continuously clean and functional.
• Performs annual proficiency testing in all certified parameters to maintain ongoing Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) certification through DCLS accreditation. 
• Learns about wastewater facility processes and functionality through the annual Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and Laboratory Practices Committee (LPC) Annual Good Laboratory Practices Conference; remains up-to-date with new legislation, regulations and processes in other Wastewater Facilities with DCLS accredited laboratories.
• Completes laboratory thermometer and pipet accuracy checks; ensures accuracy.
• Executes other job duties as necessary.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED
• One to three years’ laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Obtain Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) Certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia within six (6) months of hire.
• Meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
General knowledge of chemical principles, terminology, techniques, equipment and laboratory tests pertaining to analysis of water and wastewater samples; general knowledge of the processes and treatment stages involved in water and wastewater treatment; skill in the use of personal computers, associated software packages, hardware, and peripheral equipment; ability to use laboratory and related equipment and to compute and record test results; ability to plan work load to meet time requirements; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking, sitting and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).