Laboratory Technician

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27 
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29

• In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increases are also scheduled to take effect for Laboratory Technician:
  • 4% effective 1/1/28
  • 4% effective 1/1/29

• Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).   
• Candidates selected for positions in the San Diego Police Department will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check prior to hire.
• Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work alone in the field, drive off-road, open manhole lids and place suspended sampling equipment into and out of sewer manholes, perform lake and ocean sampling from a boat, and perform other activities requiring significant physical dexterity.
• Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work with environmental and industrial samples, such as wastewater and sludge, as well as various hazardous chemicals.
• Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work at any number of facilities located throughout the San Diego region.

1. Successful completion of 14 semester/21 quarter college-level units in one or a combination of the following:
   • Chemistry, which must include course work in organic and/or inorganic Chemistry, including at least one laboratory course.
   • Biology and/or Microbiology, including at least one laboratory course.
   • Entomology and/or Invertebrate Zoology. 
2. Two years of full-time experience in a laboratory performing a variety of chemical and biological tests (e.g., pH, turbidity, metal analysis, alkalinity, and solids using spectrophotometric, titrimetric, gravimetric, or similar measurement techniques), conducting aquatic bioassays, performing microbiological preparatory work or analyses, and/or identifying aquatic invertebrates.
3. Two years of full-time experience collecting samples from marine or freshwater environments, drinking water or wastewater facilities, drinking water distribution systems, industrial facilities, storm water drains, or other sites to fulfill environmental regulatory requirements AND at least one college-level course in Biology or Chemistry which must have included laboratory work. Qualifying experience MUST include field testing such as pH, conductivity, temperature, proper sample preservation, and use of chain-of-custody forms.

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

• Experience in a laboratory performing water and/or wastewater treatment process control tests.
• Experience with drinking water, industrial wastewater, groundwater, ocean, watershed, urban runoff/storm water, or reservoir sampling for chemical and/or biological analyses.
• Successful completion of additional college-level course work in any of the following: Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Entomology, Invertebrate Zoology, Physical Science and/or Life Science, including laboratory courses.
• Bachelor's Degree in a physical or life science field.

• Copy of transcripts showing completion of the required course work, if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.