Physical Science Laboratory Technician

Physical Science Laboratory Technician Overview

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the nation’s largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, serving as the science arm for the Department of the Interior (DOI). For over a century, the USGS delivers unbiased science used by decision-makers, federal agencies, industry, and the public. The National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) reports to the Laboratory & Analytical Services Division (LASD) within the Water Mission Area at the USGS and is the primary laboratory for determining organic and inorganic constituents in groundwater, surface water, river and lake sediments, aquatic plant and animal tissues, benthic invertebrate populations, and atmospheric precipitation.

NWQL is the primary laboratory for USGS for determining organic and inorganic constituents in groundwater, surface water, river and lake sediments, aquatic plant and animal tissues, as well as for identifying and enumerating benthic invertebrate populations and analyzing atmospheric precipitation from the United States and its protectorates. To accomplish its mission, the NWQL necessitates technicians to batch samples in a computing system, perform basic measurements in support of federal chemists.

Personnel will provide services in‑person/on‑site at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory, Building 95, Denver Federal Center, Lakewood, CO 80225.

Personnel shall maintain a normal schedule Monday through Friday, working 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week. Hours shall be performed between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (subject to change per NWQL Memo 08.01 Policy for Conducting Chemical and Other Potentially Hazardous Operations at the NWQL). Work hours must provide maximum responsiveness to the Government’s requirements as it applies to Safety compliance and operations.

• Teleworking is not permitted.
• On‑site work performed outside the normal workdays and core hours specified herein is subject to prior approval. Building access outside the normal workdays and core hours may be limited.
• Any hours over 8 per day, or 40 hours per week are considered overtime. This is not authorized without prior approval.

The tasks involve daily sample preparation and analysis of environmental samples with short expiration dates (holding times) associated with the following lab codes. The Physical Science Laboratory Technician is responsible for following responsibilities in alignment with the Performance Work Statement and the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) set forth by USGS, NWQL.

• Batch samples in computing system (LIMS).
• Retrieve samples associated with each batch.
• Follow sample preparation procedures per NWQL SOPs and guidelines.
• Operate entry‑level instruments to test environmental samples per USGS method Standard Operating Procedures.
  • Monitor the run and re‑prepare/re‑run QC samples once if needed to rule out random errors.
  • Notify management if QA/QC criteria is not met for Federal staff to troubleshoot the instrument.
• Provide reports of completed analytical testing and attest to the validity of the data in compliance with the USGS methods/SOPs.
• Upload the data in LIMS.

Each task/responsibility requires 99% (or better) of completion and accuracy as the “Acceptable Quality Level”. The inspection technique will include a daily (or weekly/monthly) review for completeness.

• The Government may monitor performance of routine functional requirements and outputs, as well as the milestones and deliverables of specific project requirements as deemed necessary to ensure acceptable progress and compliance with contract requirements. The Government may use a variety of methods to evaluate performance.
• The Quality Assurance Plan focuses on key performance measures that are central to accurate support of office activities and that have the highest potential for having an adverse effect on accurate research accomplishment.
• Contractor (Montech Inc.) and the…