Summary
About the Role: The Process Laboratory Specialist will be responsible for ensuring all permit-required testing is completed correctly and in a timely fashion in a dynamic environment. They will notify process and operations staff of unusual test results/sample conditions and will respond to combined sewer overflow events, unusual occurrences, loss of disinfection, and other emergent and non-routine work. They will make recommendations on sample scheduling and staffing schedules and participate in team meetings.
The successful candidate will collect samples for external stakeholders for research studies and participate in internal studies for WTD planning purposes from time to time.
About the Team: King County is a values-based organization with an empowering work environment, a supportive work-life balance, and development opportunities for ongoing learning. We work hard to make sure our benefits reflect our values to support you, your family, and your community in a variety of ways.
We value creative thinking that drives us to continuously improve public service. Tap into your desire to serve the public and discover new and better ways to make a meaningful impact.
As a critical component of a dynamic wastewater treatment environment, the process lab must respond to changes throughout the seasons including rainfall events to deliver timely and accurate results for plant process control and regulatory compliance. To address these challenges, daily prioritization of workload is needed, with permit-required samples and samples with shortest hold times having the highest priority. High attention to detail and a low error rate are essential components of a production-style lab.
The laboratory culture is supportive and collaborative and Process Laboratory staff bring diverse backgrounds and experiences to the work environment. The expectation is that incoming staff cross-train on all laboratory instrumentation and seamlessly fill in for other staff when needed.
Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come! With over 700 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, our agency is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment.
We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that services over 2.3 million King County residents . Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.
Commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice:
King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial, and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Process Laboratory Specialist I (Laboratory Specialist) , you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at
http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity .
Apply now for a rewarding career at the
Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training,
comprehensive benefits , and growth opportunities.
Job Duties
What You Will Be Doing: - Perform a variety of chemical, biochemical, or physical analyses following standard laboratory procedures. Follow established laboratory procedures for spill response, laboratory safety, and cleaning and maintaining the laboratory. Prepare samples for analysis and preserve/store them according to standard procedures. Maintain the physical and quantitative integrity of each sample and maintain associated records.
- Prepare necessary reagents and standards and follow established disposal procedures. Monitor control charts and quality control samples (blanks, check standards, and duplicates) to maintain test integrity.
- Collect samples and operate a motorized vehicle to travel to remote work locations or locations with no public transportation services.
- Clean, maintain, and perform some routine servicing of automatic samplers and specific field equipment. Assist with the calibration of online instruments.
- Other duties as assigned
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Qualifications You Bring: - Knowledge of field and laboratory techniques and sampling methods typically obtained in an associate of science degree or two years of college-level science course work, including at least one year of chemistry, or two years of equivalent experience applicable to a wastewater treatment laboratory.
- Working knowledge of the application and use of test equipment and instruments. Ability to troubleshoot instrumentation and methodological problems.
- Knowledge of scientific theories, principles, and relevant mathematics.
- Basic knowledge and skills in laboratory quality assurance/quality control. Basic skill in using computer and associated software for spreadsheets, databases, and word processing. Skill in working with detailed information.
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse group of individuals in varying occupations. Skill in team consensus-building techniques and principles and working in a team environment.
- Skill in oral and written communication techniques and ability to read, write, present, and follow oral and written instructions.
Competencies You Bring: - Communicates effectively - Including oral and written communication.
- Situational adaptability - The lab responds to weather events, sometimes unexpected ones, and individual flexibility and adaptability are key aspects of the role.
- Manages complexity - Competence in managing complex testing schedules and workloads.
- Customer focus - In addition to providing or permitting compliance testing for the State and wastewater process testing for the treatment plant, the lab has several other customers such as the public health lab which we provide testing services. The lab specialist will need to be aware of the different stakeholders we interact with.
Required Licenses: - A valid, unencumbered Washington State Driver's License.
It Would Be Great If You Also Bring: - Prior experience in a production lab and/or wastewater lab is desired.
- Ability to achieve a Washington State Wastewater Operator Group I certification level
Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:- Work Location: South Treatment Plant - 1200 Monster Road SW, Renton, Washington 98057.
- Note that the treatment plant is not easily accessible by public transportation. The ability to provide transportation to remote work locations with limited or no public transportation is required.
- Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is covered under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible. The work schedule is 6:00 am - 2:30 pm with rotating weekend schedule and occasional call-ins after hours.
- Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division)
- Duration: This recruitment aims to fill a Term-Limited Temporary (TLT) position with an anticipated duration of up to 3 years. If the position is filled by a King County employee who has successfully completed their initial probation, they will be offered the role as a Special Duty Assignment.
Application and Selection Process:
First consideration will be given to qualified S.E.I.U. 925 WTD applicants. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.
Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews.
To apply, submit a:
- Complete Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Rodney O. Dungo
HR Analyst
rdungo@kingcounty.gov
Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our
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Keeping King County Green News .
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Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.Guided by our
"True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) EmployerNo person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To ApplyIf you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Closing Date/Time:
