Laboratory Technician

Salary: $35.61 - $46.46 Hourly
Location : City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26- Laboratory Technician
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works Operations
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 8:30 AM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Local 1937


Nature of Work
Ready to test the waters (literally and figuratively) on a career that serves your community and helps protect public health and the environment? Apply now and take the next step in your career!
JOB SUMMARY:

The Laboratory Technician has the primary responsibility of collecting and testing surface water, drinking water and wastewater samples for regulatory compliance, plant process control, and the monitoring of environmental programs as they apply to water and wastewater compliance. Positions in this class are accountable for quality control procedures in the laboratory. Additional duties include assisting in information gathering and initial preparation of compliance reports, in implementation of new laboratory procedures, in the training of new employees in standard laboratory operating procedures, and special project assignments. Positions in this class are accountable for quality control procedures in the laboratory, including analyzing performance evaluation samples to ensure state certification of both laboratories. Additional duties include working with lab and process control instrumentation. Responsible for monitoring, calibrating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing PROCESS instruments and lab-related instruments. Maintains an inventory of lab supplies and procures equipment and supplies as needed. Communicates and coordinates with coworkers to ensure proper sequence of events for sampling and analysis. Coordinates with reference laboratory personnel to ensure proper supplies are obtained, sample is properly prepared and delivered, and chain of custody is maintained.


Error or negligence in performance may have serious detrimental consequences for the City's water/wastewater and secondary treatment systems.

For more information, please review the .

WHY JOIN OUR TEAM?

Joining the City of Bellingham means becoming a part of a team that believes our greatest impact comes from working together with purpose, humility and a shared commitment to our community. Every employee contributes to delivering meaningful results for the people who live, work and visit here. We value people who approach challenges with curiosity, respect and collaboration. If you are motivated by building a career in public service, we encourage you to apply.

SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:

This position will start at Step 1 ($35.61/hour). Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy. The full hourly range for this position is $35.61 - $46.46. For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can and

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
Closing Date/Time: Mon., Sep, 14 2026 at 8:30 AM Pacific Time

Experience and Training

• BA/BS degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science or related field.
• One year of related laboratory work experience required excluding laboratory work performed for academic credit. Internships, assistantships and volunteer experience may be used as work experience.
• Valid Washington State drivers license at time of hire. Must submit a three-year driving record abstract prior to hire.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check and local background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Work weekends, holidays and swing shift on a rotating basis.

Selection Process
**You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along*

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Application Review Process:

1. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must provide specific, detailed information so an initial determination can be made regarding your level of qualifications for this position. Applicant status will be updated on or around September 14 , 2026 .
2. Experience and Training Rating: Applicants that meet minimum qualifications will go through an Experience and Training Rating. Applicant status will be updated on or around September 25 , 2026 .
3. The top 8 scoring applicants from the Experience and Training Rating will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Interview, tentatively scheduled for the week of October 5 , 2026 .
4. Applicants will be notified via email of Final Scores & Ranks. The final ranking of the register will be based on total scores for the following: Experience and Training Review (40%) and Oral Board Interview (60%). Candidates scoring a 60% or higher on the Oral Board Interview will be placed on the eligibility list.

Final candidates will be referred to the department for additional examination, assessment, or test.

This recruitment process will create a Civil Service eligibility register that will be used to fill current and future vacancies as they become available. There is currently 1 full-time vacancies in Public Works .This position is represented by a union.


If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the Veterans Scoring Criteria Declaration Form(Download PDF reader) and upload it to your application with your DD214.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate or make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information.

This position is represented by The Guild of Pacific Northwest Employees, Local 1937 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the


This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on PERS.
Civil Service Information
This position is subject to the Bellingham Civil Service Commission. When a vacancy occurs, the top fifteen candidates or the top 25% of the register will be forwarded to the department for further consideration. All new Civil Service employees are subject to a one-year probationary period. A candidate may challenge the scope, content, or method of an examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days following the date of the challenged examination. A candidate may also challenge the scoring of an examination or test, failure of the candidate on any part of an examination, or clerical error in examination results of any examination or test, and a protest may be filed in writing with the Examiner within five (5) days of notification of the challenged result. The Examiner shall consider all timely filed protests and make appropriate corrections if an error is demonstrated.

Veteran's Scoring Criteria
Applicants who have been honorably discharged from active military duty may be eligible to receive veteran's scoring criteria points as provided by Washington State Law (RCW 41.04.010). If you wish to claim Veterans' Preference Points, please complete the and upload it to your application with your DD214.
01


Thank you for your interest in this position at the City of Bellingham! To ensure a consistent review, only the City of Bellingham job application and required supplemental documents will be reviewed. Cover letters and resumes are not reviewed unless they are required as part of the process. When applying for this position, you must thoroughly complete each section of your application, and provide a thorough response to each of the supplemental questions. Please do not indicate "see resume" or copy content that is unrelated to the position being applied for from your resume when answering these questions.
Have you read and understood the information listed above?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a bachelor's degree or bachelor's of science in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science or related field?

• Yes
• No

03


If you hold a degree in any of the related fields listed above, please describe your degree and explain how it prepares you for this position.
04


Do you have one year of related laboratory work experience? ( Note : laboratory work experience excludes laboratory work performed for academic credit. Internships, assistantships and volunteer experience may be used as work experience.)
How We Count Work Experience : Your experience must be equal to full-time paid work. If you worked part-time, we'll calculate your experience based on the total number of hours you worked in a year. For example, if you worked 10 hours per week for 12 months, that equals 3 months of full-time experience (10 hrs x 52 weeks= 520 hrs/173.33 full time hrs per month = 3 months).

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have or are you willing to obtain a Washington State drivers license and provide a 3-year driving history prior to hire if required by the position?

• Yes
• No

06


Are you able and willing to work weekends, holidays and swing shift on a rotating basis?

• Yes
• No

07


The position works a majority of time in a laboratory environment which is designed to optimize safe and efficient working conditions. However, a number of hazards are present when working with chemical agents, biological samples and laboratory testing equipment. Employees must be constantly aware of safety requirements. Some work is conducted out-of-doors in all types of weather and on irregular terrain.
Are you able to accept these working conditions?

• Yes
• No

08


Please describe your related laboratory experience. In your response, be sure to describe the types of water quality sampling and analysis you have performed, as well as any experience testing drinking water and wastewater.
( Note : laboratory work experience excludes laboratory work performed for academic credit. Internships, assistantships and volunteer experience may be used as work experience.)
Please indicate the type of experience you are providing, such as paid employment, internships, assistantships, and/or volunteer work. Employers and dates required.
09


If you are requesting Veteran's Preference points, a completed Veterans Scoring Criteria Status Declaration is required along with a copy of your DD214. The required form is in the Selections Process section of the Job Posting. Check "YES" here if you are attaching a Veteran's Declaration form and DD214.

• Yes
• No

Required Question