Laboratory Technician

The Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority is currently accepting applications for a Water Treatment Plant Laboratory Technician. PTRWA’s laboratory provides certified drinking water and wastewater analysis for our water and wastewater treatment facilities and for outside customer facilities in the local area.

Primary Purpose:Performs a variety of tasks/chemistry analysis required to serve as laboratory technician of a 14.7 million gallon per day (MGD) surface water treatment facility and transmission system.

Essential Duties and / or Responsibilities:Following is a summary of the essential functions for this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change time to time.

1. Collection of distribution water samples weekly.

2. Performs routine calibrations and analyses using field meters and field equipment.

3. Performs routine field analyses on drinking water samples using a wide range of laboratory equipment to test for chlorine residuals, turbidity, color, dissolved oxygen, pH, Monochloramines and Free Ammonia and other analyses as directed; prepares standards/reagents and calculates/compiles test data.

4. Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve minor field and laboratory equipment problems.

5. Performs analytical analysis of all state mandated and other required water analyses.

6. Assists in calibrations and maintaining laboratory equipment and documents quality controls.

7. Compiles data, manually and automated, prepares and maintains accurate records and reports for quality control and compliance.

8. Assists in monthly lake monitoring, collection and analysis of lake samples.

9. Maintains and Schedules collection of existing customer samples and any new customers that we may obtain.

10. Interacts with the public in matters concerning water quality; handles customer complaints in a professional and tactful manner in order to enhance customer relations.

11. Customer Interaction/ phone calls with customers that have questions and/or bring samples in for analysis.

12. Assists in maintaining and updating Lab SOP’s & SDS’s.

13. Packing and sending additional samples out to other laboratories for analysis.

14. Communicate and help inform operational staff of any concerns regarding water quality.

15. Ability to exercise independent judgement and decision making in routine and emergency situations.

16. Work independently, be efficient in problem solving and time management.

17. Monthly Safety Training – online

Minimum Required Skills or Competencies:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Graduation from an accredited high school (or GED) or the equivalent of any combination of education experience.

2. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, the general public, and other agencies, communication skills sufficient to exchange or convey in formation both orally and written.

3. Ability to perform general physical activities that may include sitting, standing, walking, talking, seeing, hearing, lifting, reaching, climbing and repetitive motions.

4. Valid North Carolina driver’s License.

5. Ability to operate office equipment, including personal computer and applicable software, as required by the position.

Desired Skill or Competencies:

1. Degrees or college courses in chemistry or environmental studies.

2. Two (2) years’ experience in a drinking water laboratory.

3. Safely operate a marine craft for lake sampling and monitoring.

4. North Carolina Surface Water Treatment Certification (C).

5. Bacteriological training through NC State Laboratory of Public Health.

6. Process chemistry training.

Compensation/Benefits: (Range $19.81-$34.21/Hour; Non-Exempt)

The salary for this position is based on experience and qualifications. PTRWA offers an excellent benefit package including participation in the NC Local Government Employee Retirement system, employer 401K plan contribution, paid health, dental and life insurances, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $19.81 - $34.21 per hour

Benefits:

Experience:

Ability to Commute:

Work Location: In person