Laboratory Assistant - EXAM

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for preparing materials for testing and conducting basic laboratory tests; performs related duties as required.

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all of the duties that may be performed.)

• Conducts basic laboratory tests such as residuals, total organic carbon (TOC), UV 254, fecal coliform, pH, ammonia, chlorine, and suspended solids tests;

• Collects samples of water or wastewater from streams, industrial sites, commercial sites, distribution systems or various stages of the treatment process;

• Operates autoclaves, balances, drying ovens, spectrophotometers, colorimeters, automated wet chemistry analyzers, and other general laboratory equipment;

• Mixes solutions and/or prepares growth media for use in laboratory testing; prepares samples by adding solutions, filtering, incubating, or mounting on slides;

• Performs general laboratory clean-up; cleans and/or sterilizes laboratory equipment and glassware;

• Delivers and/or packages to send samples or specimens to external testing facilities; maintains inventory and orders supplies as needed;

• Receives samples and maintains sample inventory; properly disposes of outdated samples and chemicals;

• Calibrates and records readings from equipment such as thermometers, scales, meters, and other specialized equipment; performs calculations on the results of data received from analyses;

• Inputs data into spreadsheets, databases, or laboratory information management systems (LIMS);

• Communicates with the public by responding to questions or inquiries

Completion of the twelfth school grade and one (1) year of laboratory experience. Substitution(s):
Two (2) college-level courses in biology or chemistry or a related science that included laboratory may be substituted for the required experience. A certificate of high school equivalence (GED) will be accepted in lieu of the twelfth grade completion requirement.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

The names of the applicants passing this administration of this exam will be used to create a NEW, OPEN COMPETITIVE
, eligible list for this classification. If you are interested in having your name included on the new eligible list, you will need to apply for this exam within the filing period and successfully complete all phases of the testing process. Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Test Center at .

The examination process will consist of a computerized exam weighted 100% covering Lab Equipment, Lab Procedures/Safety, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, Information Ordering, Maintaining Records/Files, Logic and Reasoning, Map Reading, Customer Service, Microsoft Excel 2016 and Microsoft Outlook 2016.

The exam is expected to be administered in March. Approved applicants will be notified by mail/email of their scheduled test date and time.

All applicants must complete all phases of the testing process in order to receive a final score. The names of all candidates who pass this examination will remain on the eligible list for two years, unless the eligible list is replaced prior to or extended beyond the two years. If a candidate's name is certified and the candidate is to be considered for employment, the hiring process will include one or more interviews, a criminal background check, and a pre-employment drug test.

The certification process will be:
Fixed Band

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer