Water Lab Technician - Brazoria County, TX : Job Details

Description

Under limited supervision, accepts, processes and analyzes water samples for microbiological contaminants; ensures all lab operations are conducted with federal EPA guidelines and rules of TNI and QAPP; ensures the Quality System is implemented and followed.

This is an essential duty position in relation to a designated Public Health Emergencyand local disasters.During public health emergencies and local disasters, this position will be required to take on additional tasks and work additional hours to meet the needs of the community as it relates to the Health Department. In the event of a public health emergency, you shall report to work if ordered to do so by either of the following officials or positions: (1) District Attorney's Office (Civil Division), (2) County Judge/Emergency Management Coordinator, (3) Commissioners' Court liaison or a member of Commissioners' Court, (4) Director of Public Health Services, or (5) PHEP Program Manager.

This is not a remote work position. Daily in-office attendance is required 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday. Some weekend and evening work is required.Exceptions: The work performed outside normal business hours (evenings and/or weekends)can or may be remote work; and during a public health emergency or local disaster, remote work could be required.

8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday, and additional hours as job requires.

Example of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

* Receives, processes and analyzes water samples for contaminants; tests samples for excessive chlorine; reports and approves customer results; prepares reports for mail, fax or e-mail submission.

* Accepts, processes, and analyzes water samples for microbiological contaminants including fecal coliform, total coliform, E. coli, and standard plate count.

* Reads and records temperatures on all equipment and all media and vessels.

* Performs quality control on all lab equipment, media, and reports.

* Runs samples in accordance with the rules of TNI.

* Performs annual demonstration of capability tests.

* Logs in samples to the water sample data base and charges customer accounts; receives payments for samples; posts payments to customer accounts.

* Runs financial reports, account reports and outstanding account reports.

* Responds to questions from customers as appropriate.

* Participates in standard operating procedure manual changes.

* Assists the Water Lab Manager in preparing the lab's annual operating budget.

* Makes deposits of fees collected from customers (in absence of Water Lab Manager).

* Enters sample data into the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) database.

* Responds to customer complaints and other work-related issues or problems.

* May serve in the absence of the Water Lab Manager as Deputy Technical Manager/Quality Manager.

* Maintains and cleans lab equipment.

* Cleans the lab area and disposes of waste materials.

* Attends and participates in meetings, training and conferences as required.

Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position and is assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified candidates must meet the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Water Lab Technical Manager Qualification Requirementsfor Microbiological or Biological Analyses, or must be able to achieve this qualification within 6 months of the date of hire. In addition, prior to an offer of employment, applicants must be able to document the specific combination of education and professional experience that meets at least one of the 3 sets of criteria required to achieve TCEQ's Water Lab Technical Manager Qualification Requirementsfor Microbiological or Biological Analyses. Please note that the qualification administrative and paperwork process would occur during the first week of employment. See below:

Option 1

To satisfy OPTION 1, the applicant must have:

* Completed a Bachelor's degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, physical sciences, or engineering; AND

* At least sixteen (16) college semester credit hours in general microbiology and biology; AND

* At least two (2) years/(24 months) of experience in the environmental analysis of representative analytes for which the laboratory seeks or maintains accreditation.

Option 2

To satisfy OPTION 2, the applicant must have:

* Completed a Master's or Doctoral degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, environmental sciences, physical sciences, or engineering; AND

* At least sixteen (16) college semester credit hours in general microbiology and biology; AND

* At least one (1) years/(12 months) of experience in the environmental analysis of representative analytes for which the laboratory seeks or maintains accreditation.

Option 3

To satisfy OPTION 3, the applicant must have:

* Completed an Associate's degree in the sciences or applied sciences, or have two (2) years of equivalent successful college education; AND

* At least four (4) college semester credit hours in general microbiology; AND

At least one (1) year/(12 months) of experience in microbiological analyses.

Knowledge of

* Principles and practices of microbiology.

* Lab practices, procedures and equipment.

Knowledge of/OR ability to quickly learn:

* Quality Control Manual.

* SOP Manual.

* Department policies, procedures and regulations covering specific areas of assignment.

* Principles and practices of project management.

* General accounting and bookkeeping principles and practices.

Skill in:

* Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

* Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with managers, supervisors, employees, vendors, suppliers, external public organizations, private companies and the general public.

* Using initiative, discretion and decision making within established procedures, guidelines and rules.

* Defining problems, collecting data, establishing facts and drawing valid conclusions.

* Attention to accuracy with data reporting.

* Providing effective customer service and working within a team environment.

* Operating a personal computer and various software applications.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

* Must already possess or be able to achieve theTexas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) Water Lab Technical Manager Qualification Requirementsfor Microbiological or Biological Analyses within 6 months of date of hire. Please note that the qualification administrative and paperwork process would occur during the first week of employment.

* Initial and Annual Demonstration of Capability for Drinking Water Analysis certification;ability to obtain within one year of employment.

* Valid Texas Driver's License and reliable transportation is required.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.Work is performed both in an office and lab work environment.May be exposed to dangerous machinery, hazardous chemicals and bacterial contaminants.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,may be required to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Supplemental Information

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

The incumbent in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the County's safety policies and procedures. Ask supervisor for details. Proper precautions and following road safety laws are required at all times while driving.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY

Drug/Alcohol policy applies to this job: Pre-employment drug/alcohol testing required.

Brazoria County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other protected class. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need.