Laboratory Technician (Organic)

Laboratory Technician / Senior Laboratory Technician

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

The Laboratory Technician / Senior Laboratory Technicians are responsible for the analysis of selected inorganic, organic, and microbiological targets using strict EPA and Standard Methods guidelines and procedures. They perform wet chemistry analysis and perform both inorganic and organic extraction procedures using EPA method 300 and 500 series and Standard Methods criteria. They are responsible for proper preservation of method sample bottles, performing sanitizing protocols, receiving, and distributing samples throughout the laboratory, ensuring proper chain of custody data and information, meshing of field and sample site information, and maintaining and utilization of LIMS databases.

Lab Techs represent the first line of QA/QC support and techniques, which will impact the overall reliability of water quality data – from pharmaceuticals to pH. Senior level technicians are required to work more independently. They are responsible for student intern support and assisting in prioritizing their work functions.

The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses on water, wastewater, and related samples using EPA methodology in support of inorganic & organic extractions techniques and wet chemistry methods. Utilizes and maintains state of the art automated extraction instrumentation commonly used in high throughput laboratories.
• Provides analytical support for the District's daily microbiological compliance monitoring of the GWRS plant. Processes bacteriological samples under strict SWRCB guidelines and measures; verifies media criteria and quality control check samples to ensure proper reporting of these critical process targets. Processes autoclave sterility checks with each batch required for documented certification requirements.
• Extracts metals for ICP-OES and ICP-MS analysis. Extracts emerging targets of concern – pharmaceuticals, endocrine disrupting compounds, hormones, etc. using advanced research and innovative laboratory techniques. Provides additional analyses in the area of titrations, pH and EC measurements, total dissolved solids, suspended and settleable solids, UV/VIS spectrophotometry, MBAS, COD, colony counter, COD, and ion specific electrode systems.
• Performs weekend and off hours support as required. Provides support to specific detector GC methods and HPLC analysis as needed – EPA method 504, 531, 547, 549, and 551. Trains on instrument software programs to increase department flexibility. Supports strict QA/QC guidelines within EPA methods and federal monitoring programs such as UCMR Program. Solid understanding of EPA 300/500 series methods and Standard Methods procedures.
  
  Well versed in all extraction procedures: liquid/liquid, solid phase extraction (disk and cartridge) automated and manual. Troubleshoots analysis recovery issues with chemists.
• Manages glassware processing functions throughout the laboratory, for both manual and automated units. Develops and maintains protocols for proper sterility checks and procedures used within this process. Distributes and stores glassware in both laboratory and water quality inventory locations. Coordinates and prioritizes student intern functions to process needed glassware in support of daily extraction procedures. Trains student interns on laboratory procedures and practices.
• Prepares reagents, stock solutions, media, and related calibrations.…