Laboratory Analyst

SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

• SALARY RANGE: $81,348.80 - $98,862.40 annually
• FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans with a City contribution of up to $ 2,530.74 monthly for family health coverage (2024 plan year) or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere) https://cityofpetaluma.org/documents/calpers-memo-for-health-benefits/
  • DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • LIFE INSURANCE: Competitive life insurance & long-term disability benefits. Option to purchase additional life insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
  • EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
• FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
  • CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
    • 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
    • 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
• FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
  • Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours
  • Holidays: 12 fixed and 1 floating
  • Flexible Work Week
• Additional Exciting Benefits:
  • Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
  • Unlimited Free Bus Rides on Petaluma Transit
  • The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) Employer

Please refer to theMemorandum of Understand for Unit3and the Human Resources website for additional details.

#petalumaproud

A City that Works for Everyone

Our City has an enormous amount of civic pride which celebrates multiple approaches and points of view. When we say we are a City that Works for Everyone, we mean everyone. To do that well, we're creating a workforce that is inclusive and listens to the multitude of voices and views of our employees. Diversity is an integral part of our organizational identity. Inclusion is the way we treat and perceive our differences. Equity is treating all our employees fairly and acknowledging that everyone has value. This drives our innovation and motivation and connects us even closer to our community.

Summary
The Laboratory Analyst will perform collection of samples; assist in performing laboratory chemical and biological tests on water, wastewater, biosolids, recycled water, and industrial wastes; perform field investigations to determine and minimize wastewater problems; and perform other duties as assigned.
Class Characteristics
This is a single and specialized class for the laboratory function in the City's Public Works and Utilities Department. An incumbent in this class performs a variety of standardized routine sanitary tests and chemical analyses of water, wastewater effluents, and works with other professional staff in the operation of a testing laboratory and works under the general supervision of a higher-level supervisor or manager..
THE LOCATION
The Ellis Creek Water Recycling Facility treats the community's wastewater. This facility uses an innovative blend of mechanical and natural treatment processes, supported by a highly sophisticated computerized control system and a 14,000 square foot operations and maintenance building. Located in a rural setting near the Petaluma River, this 6.7 mgd facility presents a uniquely pleasant working environment. Perform a variety of chemical and biological tests in the field and in the laboratory on samples collected.
Prepare and standardize chemical reagents and solutions.
Assist in the collection of wastewater samples from various sources within the wastewater treatment facility or other collection points.
Assist in the analysis and tracing of the sources of undesirable industrial wastes entering the City's wastewater treatment system.
Assemble and record test data, prepare draft charts, graphs, and written reports.
Clean and maintain laboratory and field equipment.
Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on laboratory equipment.
Perform data verification and validation, as needed.
Calibrate lab instruments, as needed.
Conduct residential house calls for water conservation, checking for water leaks and advising City residents of conservation programs.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
Basic principles of chemical, biological, and related sciences.
Basic practices and methods of chemical, biochemical, and bacteriological testing and analysis.
Chemicals and equipment used in water quality analysis.
Laboratory and field safety and equipment and material care and maintenance.
Effective techniques for dealing with the public and dealing with basic customer complaints.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
Equivalent to an Associate's degree with major course work in chemistry, microbiology, or a related field.
Experience:
One year of experience in an environmental laboratory, wastewater treatment plant laboratory, industrial waste inspection, and/or closely related experience.
Substitution:
Additional years of experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.
Certifications/Licenses:
Possession of a California Water Environment Association Laboratory (CWEA) Laboratory Analyst Grade I certification within twelve months of appointment is required.
Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and will frequently be required to enter data into a terminal, personal computer or keyboard device and operate office equipment requiring repetitive arm/hand movement. The employee is often required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl or use the ability to smell. The employee must be able to perform a moderate amount of physical labor, including having sufficient strength to lift, carry and/or move items up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to hear alarms and respond to others without being able to see them performing the duties of this job, the employee is often exposed to outside weather and wet conditions. Other work conditions include exposure to unpleasant odors, mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles and moderate noise levels. There is risk of exposure to hazardous fumes and substances.
Special Physical Requirement:
May be required wear respiratory protection or other safety equipment, and may be required to wear foot, eye, and hearing protection.Employment Type: Full Time