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Summary

Padre Dam Municipal Water District is looking for a Laboratory Assistant to support Laboratory Staff at the East County Advanced Water Program Facility.

Under direct supervision, provide a variety of laboratory support such as the washing and preparation of sample containers, analytical glassware, and other lab equipment; prepare microbiological media and chemical reagents; receive potable, recycled, solids handling and advanced water biological, chemical or physical field samples; assist with analyses of samples; enter test results in Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); properly dispose of and/or coordinate the disposal of contaminated materials, and hazardous chemical waste; perform and record routine Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) testing and maintain laboratory log books and other records; assists with monitoring high strength waste; maintains practices and procedures to ensure compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), laboratory accreditation requirements, and QA/QC manual; and perform other duties as assigned.  

This is a full-time permanent position with the hours being Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Job Description

1. Coordinates sampling, sample transportation, receipt, storage, and distribution for analyses. Coordinates  Chain-of-Custody documentation for samples sent to  contract laboratories for analyses.
2. Assist in performing analytical chemical and microbiological analyses according to the most current “Standard Methods” for compliance with NPDES and recycled water permits. Analyses includes but are not limited to: (a) Process Control tests including pH, turbidity, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, total and volatile suspended solids, settleable solids, conductivity, temperature, chlorine residual, alkalinity; (b) Microorganisms such as Total and Fecal Coliform, E. coli, and enterococcus; (c) Inorganics such as Total Nitrogen, Ammonia, Nitrate, Total and Ortho Phosphorus; (d) completes all quality assurance and quality control analyses.
3. Ensures all policies and procedures are followed while working in the lab. This includes the laboratory SOPs, and the laboratory QA/QC Manual. Completes all written/data entry documentation with attention to detail and accuracy.
4. Prepares laboratory solutions, chemicals, media and equipment for routine daily analyses.
5. Receives potable water, wastewater, recycled water, solids handling, high strength waste, advanced water and surface water samples from various locations and the Distribution System, Advanced Water Treatment Plant and Santee Lakes.
6. Assists with physical, chemical and bacteriological sample analyses according to the “standard methods” for reporting to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); Division of Drinking Water (DDW).
7. Assists in annual performance water studies to comply with the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) for State Certification.
8. Assists in monitoring of Santee Lakes/Pond C by collecting and testing water samples for bacteria, nutrient concentrations and microbiology, analyzes results and makes recommendations to Park personnel regarding treatment for algae and weed growth.
9. Keeps accurate records and generates lab spreadsheets and reports when appropriate.
10. Assists in implementing new equipment and procedures.
11. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

Job Requirements

Knowledge of:

1. Theories and principles related to Chemistry, Statistics, Mathematics and Microbiology;
2. Physical, chemical and biological test procedures;
3. Laboratory safety practices required when working with potentially contagious, corrosive and/or toxic material.
4. Mathematical computations
5. Cleaning, operation, and simple maintenance of glassware washers, autoclaves, drying ovens,   pH meters, and media dispensing machines
6. Principles of record keeping.

 
Skills/Abilities:

1. Working independently and as a team member;
2. Rapidly learning and consistently receiving samples and assisting with analyses according to regulatory protocol;
3. Understand, follow directions and complete assignments with minimal supervision;
4. Work in odorous conditions in the laboratory and in the field;
5. Operate a power motorboat, truck and trailer safely.
6. Operating and maintaining basic laboratory instrumentation and equipment;
7. Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
8. Uses computers and related software applications, including LIMS;
9. Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

 
Training/Experience Required:

1. High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma and completion of at least one college level Chemistry or Biology Class with Laboratory.
2. Experience with a LIMS preferred but not required.

 Licensing Requirements:

1. Valid California Driver’s License.
2. Laboratory Analyst Grade I certification (within one year from date of hire) from the California Water Environment Association.

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

Additional Information

As part of the East County Advanced Water Purification Project (ECAWP), Padre Dam is entering into an Administrative and Operating Services Agreement (Agreement) with the East County CAWP Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Padre Dam, as the contracted Administrator and Operator, will provide management, administrative, operations, maintenance and similar or related services for JPA owned ECAWPAWP facilities. The Administrator and Operator functions will require Padre Dam to hire additional personnel for the development period of the project, or until the Agreement to provide those services is otherwise terminated or not extended. Once the Agreement is terminated or expires, Padre Dam will no longer need the additional personnel and will no longer have the funding to support additional personnel. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be specifically hired as employees for the duration of time that the District is providing Administrative and Operating Services, but those employees may perform any work for the District within their employment classification, not just work under the Agreement. ECAWP Project Funded Employees will be provided the same rights and benefits as other Permanent Padre Dam Employees, and be hired into the same classifications with the same salaries, except with respect to termination of employment if Padre Dam ceases to provide Administrator or Operator services to ECAWP.  The current Agreement is for a period of approximately ten years. External applicants will be considered contract employees.

If you are selected to move forward in the process, you may be invited to an interview in Mid January.