King County, WA
Process Laboratory Specialist I - West Point
Join to apply for the Process Laboratory Specialist I - West Point role at King County, WA Summary
This is a competitive posting, and the position is open to all qualified candidates. As a socially responsible clean water agency, the Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and the environment by recovering and reusing valuable resources to benefit the communities where we live and work. WTD treats billions of gallons of wastewater each year and generates reclaimed water, renewable energy, and valuable biosolids. Within the WTD, the West Point Process laboratory monitors plant and Offsite facilities discharge into Puget Sound, and monitors plant operations through physical, chemical and microbiological testing. The lab and the data produced are an essential part of ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the environment. The role offers opportunities for progression within the Process Lab Specialist classification with clear modules and expectations for successful completion. The successful candidate will work with the operations and process teams to improve and expand knowledge. We value creative thinking that drives us to continuously improve public service. Tap into your desire to serve the public, protect the environment, and discover new and better ways to make a meaningful impact. About The Role
The Process Lab 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 occurrence, 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 laboratory culture is supportive and collaborative, and the 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. 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 community in a variety of ways. 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. 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 is essential. Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. 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 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 on-line 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. Competencies You Bring
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics. 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. Physical Requirements
The ability to lift 30 lbs. Workplace Exposures
Exposed to wastewater and acid fumes. Supplemental Information
Working Conditions
Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant - 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199 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 treatment plants are operated 24/7. This position is currently assigned to working a 5x8 schedule, with a rotating weekend schedule. Applicants must be available to work any and all assigned shift schedules, including standby schedules/rotations. Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division). Application And Selection Process
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the essential experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for this role to determine candidates for a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews. Candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited for an in-person assessment at the West Point Plant facility. To Apply
Complete Application Resume Cover Letter Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter listed on this job posting.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Join to apply for the Process Laboratory Specialist I - West Point role at King County, WA Summary
This is a competitive posting, and the position is open to all qualified candidates. As a socially responsible clean water agency, the Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and the environment by recovering and reusing valuable resources to benefit the communities where we live and work. WTD treats billions of gallons of wastewater each year and generates reclaimed water, renewable energy, and valuable biosolids. Within the WTD, the West Point Process laboratory monitors plant and Offsite facilities discharge into Puget Sound, and monitors plant operations through physical, chemical and microbiological testing. The lab and the data produced are an essential part of ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting the environment. The role offers opportunities for progression within the Process Lab Specialist classification with clear modules and expectations for successful completion. The successful candidate will work with the operations and process teams to improve and expand knowledge. We value creative thinking that drives us to continuously improve public service. Tap into your desire to serve the public, protect the environment, and discover new and better ways to make a meaningful impact. About The Role
The Process Lab 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 occurrence, 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 laboratory culture is supportive and collaborative, and the 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. 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 community in a variety of ways. 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. 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 is essential. Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come. King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. 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 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 on-line 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. Competencies You Bring
Action Oriented: Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm. Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement. Values Differences: Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Communicates Effectively: Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics. 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. Physical Requirements
The ability to lift 30 lbs. Workplace Exposures
Exposed to wastewater and acid fumes. Supplemental Information
Working Conditions
Work Location: West Point Treatment Plant - 1400 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199 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 treatment plants are operated 24/7. This position is currently assigned to working a 5x8 schedule, with a rotating weekend schedule. Applicants must be available to work any and all assigned shift schedules, including standby schedules/rotations. Union Representation: This position is represented by S.E.I.U. 925 (Wastewater Treatment Division). Application And Selection Process
We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Applications will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the essential experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills for this role to determine candidates for a technical assessment and one or more panel interviews. Candidates who pass the initial screening will be invited for an in-person assessment at the West Point Plant facility. To Apply
Complete Application Resume Cover Letter Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening. For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter listed on this job posting.
#J-18808-Ljbffr