Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technician positions 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; collect and transport biological or microbiological specimens and field samples; collect and transport water, sewage, industrial, ocean, bay, estuary, river, watershed, and other environmental samples for chemical and microbiological analyses; assist with basic or routine chemical, biological, or bacteriological analyses;

record the results of basic chemical, biological, or bacteriological tests; perform chemical tests to determine solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and other similar tests in the field or laboratory; enter test results in LIMS; properly dispose of and/or coordinate the disposal of contaminated materials, hazardous chemical waste, and bio-hazardous waste; perform and record routine QA/QC testing and maintain laboratory log books and other records;

maintain aquatic and other test organisms; wash, weigh, and maintain preserved specimens; maintain specimen and procedure logs and inventories; staff the Trucked Waste Monitoring Lab overseeing waste hauler discharge documents and screening/sampling tanker contents to enforce permit compliance; and perform other duties as assigned. Laboratory Technician positions in the Police Department wash dishes, weigh chemicals for solution preparation, maintain complex instrumentation;

maintain maintenance logs and inventories; prepare kits and supplies such as rape and gunshot residue kits; prepare chemical reagents used to test for alcohol standards and blood and semen screening and crime scene reconstruction; conduct computerized firearms ammunition components comparison; test fire a variety of weapons; perform calibrations on scientific instruments; restore obliterated serial numbers on impounded weapons using chemical agents and other equipment;

prepare routine and/or detailed reports on the results of analyses; testify in court as required; and perform other duties as assigned.

Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:

• 3.5% effective 7/1/27
• 2% effective 7/1/28
• 2% effective 1/1/29

In addition to the scheduled general wage increases, the following equity adjustment wage increases are also scheduled to take effect for Laboratory Technician:

• 4% effective 1/1/28
• 4% effective 1/1/29

Eligible benefitted employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).

Candidates selected for positions in the San Diego Police Department will undergo a comprehensive character and background investigation, including a polygraph examination and fingerprint check prior to hire.

Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work alone in the field, drive off-road, open manhole lids and place suspended sampling equipment into and out of sewer manholes, perform lake and ocean sampling from a boat, and perform other activities requiring significant physical dexterity.

Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work with environmental and industrial samples, such as wastewater and sludge, as well as various hazardous chemicals.

Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime.

Laboratory Technician employees may be required to work at any number of facilities located throughout the San Diego region.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION/

EXPERIENCE:

You must meet ONE of the following options:

• Chemistry, which must include course work in organic and/or inorganic Chemistry, including at least one laboratory course.
• Biology and/or Microbiology, including at least one laboratory course.
• Entomology and/or Invertebrate Zoology.