Lab Analyst

Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness?   Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities?  Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Laboratory Analyst, working with the Department of Utilities.  The ideal candidate performs compliance sampling and analysis for the City’s Water and Wastewater (W/WW) facilities.

Under basic supervision, this job classification collects, prepares and analyzes samples of drinking water, wastewater, industrial discharges, and biosolids for process control and regulatory compliance for the City's Water and Wastewater (W/WW) treatment systems and operating plants; performs work according to state and Federal environmental regulations and standards, and City policies, procedures and goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Analyzes water, wastewater, biosolids, and industrial waste samples for a variety of microbiological, physical, and chemical constituents for regulatory compliance and process control.
• Completes duties in accordance with state and Federal laws and regulations, and City policies and procedures; follows lab procedures to verify the quality and accuracy of the laboratory tests.
• Calibrates, operates and maintains laboratory instruments.
• Collects and prepares water, wastewater, biosolids, and industrial waste samples for analysis to assure that chain of custody and sample integrity is maintained.
• Performs quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) and data evaluation functions.
• Prepares chemical reagents and microbiological media.
• Maintains lab records, sample and instrumentation logs, bench sheets, media records, inventory records and a variety of summary reports.
• Maintains laboratory supplies inventory.
• Responds to customer inquiries and complaints, and provides technical assistance to W/WW Staff.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines 
Associate's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Microbiology or related field; AND one year of environmental laboratory experience; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Principles and techniques of bacteriology and chemistry analysis.
• City, state and Federal laws and regulations governing treatment of water/wastewater.
• Operation, calibration, and maintenance of specialized laboratory equipment and monitoring systems.
• Principles of record keeping and records management.
• Safe work practices, occupational hazards and safety precautions in a laboratory environment.

Skill in:

• Performing laboratory techniques according to standardized methods and procedures.
• Preparing analytical reports and interpreting test results.
• Performing environmental and QA/QC analyses for physical, chemical and biological parameters.
• Performing physical field tests for a variety of physical, chemical, and biological parameters.
• Safely utilizing specialized laboratory testing and sampling equipment, and instrumentation.
• Following safe work practices, and verbal and written instructions.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Performing mathematical calculations.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS A valid Arizona State Driver's License is required.  ADEQ certifications in both W/WW functions are preferred; specific technical training and certifications may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed on location at City W/WW plants and in the field, with moderate physical requirements; may be exposed to safety hazards, and dangerous tools equipment, pathogens and chemicals.  Full manual dexterity and visual acuity is required for laboratory work.