Laboratory Technician I

at  City of West Palm Beach

Under close supervision performs routine collection, sampling, and analysis of water from water plant, distribution system and catchment area for City water quality; and performs other related duties as assigned.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Which are not in any hierarchical order)
1. Assists in collection of water samples and data to keep plant operations informed and process controls.
2. Performs analytical testing of chemicals and water quality to obtain data necessary in making process control adjustments.
3. Collects and analyzes water samples from catchment, residential or business location sites.
4. Disinfects surfaces and performs bacteriological tests of samples collected daily.
5. Prepares distilled water, broth (cultures), autoclaves equipment, and sterilizes equipment.
6. Collects annual copper and lead samples.
7. Prepares data for Quality Assurance.
8. Prepares reagents, inventories and stocks chemicals and laboratory supplies.
9. Attends meetings and training classes.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Associate’s degree from an accredited college with a major in Chemistry, Microbiology, or Wastewater Management (education will be verified using the “Education Requirements listed below) and one (1) year related experience collecting and analyzing water samples, or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

ALTERNATE REQUIREMENTS

High school diploma or GED and three (3) years related experience collecting and analyzing water samples.
Bachelor degree with a major in Chemistry, Microbiology, Wastewater Management, or related field.
A valid Florida driver’s license is required. For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.

Education Requirements: To be considered valid (or verified) for position qualification purposes, and consistent with City Hiring Policy 4-5, a High School, GED or equivalent diploma, and all higher education degrees or certifications must have been issued by:

• a public education institution in the State of Florida or any State or Territory of the United States; or
• an institution accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education; or
• an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• an institution whose degree or certification is accepted by institutions identified in either a), b), or c), above, for the purpose of admission to institutions identified in either a), b), or c) above.

International degrees will be evaluated to determine if they satisfy qualification requirements.

SPECIAL DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

• Have not lost any driving privileges by reason of revocation, suspension or denial of license, or have been convicted and/or had an adjudication withheld of three or more moving violations or,
• Have not had one DUI (Driving Under the Influence) in any preceding twenty-four (24) month period. License suspension of two weeks or less or suspensions based only on non-moving violations that have been cleared will not automatically result in revocation of driving privileges.
• Have not had more than one DUI (conviction or adjudication withheld) in Florida or any other state within the past ten (10) years.

• a public education institution in the State of Florida or any State or Territory of the United States; or
• an institution accredited by an accrediting organization that is recognized by the Florida Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Education; or
• an institution that is accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
• an institution whose degree or certification is accepted by institutions identified in either a), b), or c), above, for the purpose of admission to institutions identified in either a), b), or c) above