Wastewater Laboratory Technician

About the Department

The Laboratory Technician performs intermediate technical work conducting chemical and bacteriological tests ensuring compliance and conformity with requirements and regulations, maintaining files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Laboratory & Environmental Compliance Manager.

The Hiring Range for this position is: $26.77 - $34.80 per hour.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Analyzes samples for Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) accredited parameters; ensures all applicable quality control and quality assurance guidelines are followed; records result on bench sheets; completes statistical analyses and transfers information to necessary determination sheets; reviews bench sheets and prepares sample bottles; provides support to process laboratory. Records ongoing maintenance of all permit and process laboratory equipment in a compiled laboratory record and service history document; assists with annual facility walk-around with barcode equipment inventory outside contractor and updates finance departments online equipment inventory system. Ensures that all laboratory surfaces, glassware and equipment are kept continuously clean and functional. Performs annual proficiency testing in all certified parameters to maintain ongoing Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) certification through DCLS accreditation. Learns about wastewater facility processes and functionality through the annual Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and Laboratory Practices Committee (LPC) Annual Good Laboratory Practices Conference; remains up-to-date with new legislation, regulations and processes in other Wastewater Facilities with DCLS accredited laboratories. Completes laboratory thermometer and pipet accuracy checks; ensures accuracy. Executes other job duties as necessary.

• Analyzes samples for Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) accredited parameters; ensures all applicable quality control and quality assurance guidelines are followed; records result on bench sheets; completes statistical analyses and transfers information to necessary determination sheets; reviews bench sheets and prepares sample bottles; provides support to process laboratory.
• Records ongoing maintenance of all permit and process laboratory equipment in a compiled laboratory record and service history document; assists with annual facility walk-around with barcode equipment inventory outside contractor and updates finance departments online equipment inventory system.
• Ensures that all laboratory surfaces, glassware and equipment are kept continuously clean and functional.
• Performs annual proficiency testing in all certified parameters to maintain ongoing Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) certification through DCLS accreditation.
• Learns about wastewater facility processes and functionality through the annual Virginia Water Environment Association (VWEA) and Laboratory Practices Committee (LPC) Annual Good Laboratory Practices Conference; remains up-to-date with new legislation, regulations and processes in other Wastewater Facilities with DCLS accredited laboratories.
• Completes laboratory thermometer and pipet accuracy checks; ensures accuracy.
• Executes other job duties as necessary.

Minimum Required Qualifications High School diploma or GED One to three years’ laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. Licenses and Certifications Obtain Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) Certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia within six (6) months of hire. Meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position. Possession of a valid driver's license. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities General knowledge of chemical principles, terminology, techniques, equipment and laboratory tests pertaining to analysis of water and wastewater samples; general knowledge of the processes and treatment stages involved in water and wastewater treatment; skill in the use of personal computers, associated software packages, hardware, and peripheral equipment; ability to use laboratory and related equipment and to compute and record test results; ability to plan work load to meet time requirements; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates.

• High School diploma or GED
• One to three years’ laboratory experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Obtain Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) Certification in the Commonwealth of Virginia within six (6) months of hire.
• Meet and maintain all training and education requirements for position.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions, frequently requires walking, sitting and reaching with hands and arms and occasionally requires stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work occasionally requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals and exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

The Town of Purcellville offers a competitive benefits package to employees including enrollment into the Virginia Retirement System, excellent healthcare insurance, leave and other fringe benefits.

The following information is provided as an overview of the Town’s benefits package for regular full-time employees.

Virginia Retirement System Full-time employees are automatically enrolled in benefits under the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).

VRS provides pension benefits as well as basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits.

Additionally, employees are eligible to purchase optional life insurance for themselves as well as for their eligible dependents.

Membership is a condition of employment for eligible employees.

All VRS-eligible employees are required to contribute 5% of their salary to the Virginia Retirement System through payroll deduction.

This contribution will be made automatically on a pre-tax salary reduction basis; exempt from state and federal tax withholding.

Retirement benefits are determined by age at retirement, average final compensation, years of service, type of retirement, and position classification.

Additional Benefits Service Credit : Employees may purchase up to 48 months each of military, federal civil service, or other governmental service at the normal cost rate of current annual creditable compensation.

Employees have 12 months to enter into a contract agreement to purchase prior service.

Group Term Basic Life Insurance : Eligible employees are automatically covered for life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage equal to two times the annual salary each.

This coverage is provided at no cost.

Optional Group Term Life Insurance : Eligible employees also may purchase optional group term life and AD&D coverage.

Coverage is available in increments of one times the annual salary, up to a maximum of eight times the annual salary.

Coverage is also available for eligible dependents.

Health Benefits (Medical/Dental/Vision) All full-time employees, and their eligible dependents, are eligible for enrollment in the Town's health, vision and dental service plan (Key Advantage 250).

The cost to provide this benefit for employees and their eligible dependents is currently shared by the employee (15%) and Town (85%).

Health Insurance Opt-Out Program : Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the Town’s Health Insurance Opt-Out Program.

Eligible employees will receive $83.33 bi-weekly if waiving health insurance coverage for the plan year.

This taxable payment will be included in your bi-weekly paycheck.

Proof of other health insurance coverage is required.

Employee Assistance Program : Provides free and confidential assistance as related to problems or issues that are affecting the employee personally or at work.

EAP services include assessment and referral to appropriate resources, and are available to the employee and his/her immediate family.

Deferred Compensation (457b) The Town’s 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan allows an employee to defer up to the annual IRS limit; amounts deferred are not subject to federal and state income taxes.

The minimum deferral amount is $20 per pay period and the Town matches $20 per pay period.

Leave Benefits Vacation Leave : Annual leave is accrued incrementally per pay period beginning upon hire and based on years of service.

Sick Leave : Full-time employees will accrue 3.69 hours per pay period and can accumulate up to 200 days maximum.

Personal Leave : Full-time employees will receive 16 hours of personal leave per year, upon hire, and at the start ofeach fiscal year to use at their discretion.

Holiday Leave : The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia’s holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year.

Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption.

Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family.

For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted.

Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.

The Town of Purcellville offers a competitive benefits package to employees including enrollment into the Virginia Retirement System, excellent healthcare insurance, leave and other fringe benefits.

The following information is provided as an overview of the Town’s benefits package for regular full-time employees.

Virginia Retirement System

Full-time employees are automatically enrolled in benefits under the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).

VRS provides pension benefits as well as basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) benefits.

Additionally, employees are eligible to purchase optional life insurance for themselves as well as for their eligible dependents.

Membership is a condition of employment for eligible employees.

All VRS-eligible employees are required to contribute 5% of their salary to the Virginia Retirement System through payroll deduction.

This contribution will be made automatically on a pre-tax salary reduction basis; exempt from state and federal tax withholding.

Retirement benefits are determined by age at retirement, average final compensation, years of service, type of retirement, and position classification.

• Service Credit : Employees may purchase up to 48 months each of military, federal civil service, or other governmental service at the normal cost rate of current annual creditable compensation. Employees have 12 months to enter into a contract agreement to purchase prior service. Group Term Basic Life Insurance : Eligible employees are automatically covered for life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage equal to two times the annual salary each. This coverage is provided at no cost. Optional Group Term Life Insurance : Eligible employees also may purchase optional group term life and AD&D coverage. Coverage is available in increments of one times the annual salary, up to a maximum of eight times the annual salary. Coverage is also available for eligible dependents.
• Group Term Basic Life Insurance : Eligible employees are automatically covered for life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage equal to two times the annual salary each. This coverage is provided at no cost. Optional Group Term Life Insurance : Eligible employees also may purchase optional group term life and AD&D coverage. Coverage is available in increments of one times the annual salary, up to a maximum of eight times the annual salary. Coverage is also available for eligible dependents.
• Optional Group Term Life Insurance : Eligible employees also may purchase optional group term life and AD&D coverage. Coverage is available in increments of one times the annual salary, up to a maximum of eight times the annual salary. Coverage is also available for eligible dependents.
• Health Insurance Opt-Out Program : Eligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the Town’s Health Insurance Opt-Out Program. Eligible employees will receive $83.33 bi-weekly if waiving health insurance coverage for the plan year. This taxable payment will be included in your bi-weekly paycheck. Proof of other health insurance coverage is required. Employee Assistance Program : Provides free and confidential assistance as related to problems or issues that are affecting the employee personally or at work. EAP services include assessment and referral to appropriate resources, and are available to the employee and his/her immediate family.
• Employee Assistance Program : Provides free and confidential assistance as related to problems or issues that are affecting the employee personally or at work. EAP services include assessment and referral to appropriate resources, and are available to the employee and his/her immediate family.
• Vacation Leave : Annual leave is accrued incrementally per pay period beginning upon hire and based on years of service. Sick Leave : Full-time employees will accrue 3.69 hours per pay period and can accumulate up to 200 days maximum. Personal Leave : Full-time employees will receive 16 hours of personal leave per year, upon hire, and at the start ofeach fiscal year to use at their discretion. Holiday Leave : The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia’s holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year. Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption. Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.
• Sick Leave : Full-time employees will accrue 3.69 hours per pay period and can accumulate up to 200 days maximum. Personal Leave : Full-time employees will receive 16 hours of personal leave per year, upon hire, and at the start ofeach fiscal year to use at their discretion. Holiday Leave : The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia’s holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year. Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption. Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.
• Personal Leave : Full-time employees will receive 16 hours of personal leave per year, upon hire, and at the start ofeach fiscal year to use at their discretion. Holiday Leave : The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia’s holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year. Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption. Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.
• Holiday Leave : The Town observes the Commonwealth of Virginia’s holiday schedule and provides all full-time employees with approximately 14.5 paid holidays each calendar year. Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption. Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.
• Parental Leave : Paid leave for qualifying absences such as for birth/adoption. Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.
• Bereavement Leave : All eligible employees shall be granted up to five (5) consecutive work days of leave with pay for a death occurring in the employee’s immediate family. For extended family members, three (3) work days of leave with pay will be granted. Any employee who suffers a death to a friend or acquaintance will be given 4 hours of funeral leave to attend the service.

• Less than high school diploma or GED equivalent
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• Some college
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Yes
• No
• Less than 3 years
• 3-5 years
• More than 5 years
• None
• Basic
• Intermediate
• Advanced