Laboratory Technician

The City of Salem is seeking two Laboratory Technician I to join our team!

Make an impact:
The City of Salem is seeking two Laboratory Technician I for the environmental lab located in the Willow Lake Pollution Control Facility. The Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility is the primary treatment facility for the city and operates 24/7, 365 days per year. The laboratory reports approximately 50,000 results annually. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you!

Learn and grow:
We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team. We value our employees and their professional development.

This Laboratory Technician I will be responsible for providing lateral coverage to operations during the wet weather season as a required job duty when staffing allows. The lateral coverage entails collecting samples in the wastewater plant and performing laboratory analyses in the operation laboratories located in the plant separate from the main laboratory. This position involves the testing and analyzing of treatment plant wastewater, industrial pretreatment wastewater, wastewater treatment sludge, watershed, biosolids, stormwater, cyanotoxins and potable water samples.

The Laboratory Technician I position performs various analytical test techniques and the use of equipment to record test results for an accredited municipal environmental laboratory by the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, ORELAP. The successful candidate must have demonstrated laboratory experience using various testing methods and equipment, acquired knowledge of environmental regulations and standards, and possess strong communication skills.

• Knowledge of laboratory tests, methods, and equipment used in the operation of an environmental analytical laboratory.
• Knowledge of chemistry, including automated analysis procedures, and water bacteriology.
• Knowledge of analytical methods.
• Knowledge of National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) standards.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices used in an analytical laboratory.
• Knowledge of Federal and State Environmental Testing regulations as they pertain to Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act programs.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, laboratory hazards, safety precautions, and sample collection.
• Skill in the use and care of laboratory and office equipment including personal computers and typical office or laboratory software.
• Ability to maintain records, hand record legible test results, research information, compile data, prepare timely reports accurately and interpret results.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public, stakeholders, city staff, contract laboratories, and regulatory bodies or agencies.
• Use precision computerized equipment with a high degree of accuracy.
• Explain to people with a non-technical background what the technical information means and how it can be used.
• Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer‑paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre‑tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long‑term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• One position schedule is Saturday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Sunday 0730 - 1600.
• One position schedule is either Sunday – Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday 0730 - 1600.
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your…