Laboratory Analyst II

Charlotte Water Department Job

Welcome to the City of Charlotte. Charlotte is America's Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

This position, within the Organics Section, analyzes drinking water, wastewater, industrial discharges, surface water, and storm water samples in accordance with state and federal safe drinking water laws, the clean water act, NPDES and laboratory protocols, regulations and standards for a large municipal utility. These efforts are to support the public health, environmental protection, and economic vitality of the region. Work involves receiving samples, sample preparation, data analysis and verification, utilizing instrumentation necessary to conduct these analyses, data entry, and maintaining defensible documentation. This position ensures that sample analysis follows adherence to quality assurance procedures, maintains documentation, and corrective action records. Other duties include assisting in training of new personnel, safe handling of potentially hazardous chemical and biological solutions, and conducting safety verification checks.

The salary for this position is $66,525.30 - $73,916.99. Commensurate with experience.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs sample preparation and analysis, which may include, but is not limited to, EPA 1664, EPA 524.2, EPA 624.1, EPA 625, EPA 608.3, EPA 608, EPA 8260, EPA 8270, EPA 533, EPA 537.1, and EPA 1633 according to approved methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Quality Assurance (QA) procedures; maintains sample integrity and chain of custody.
• Schedules analyses to adhere to policies of the lab regarding method hold times and turnaround times.
• Prepares standards and reagents, calibrates, operates, maintains preventative and corrective maintenance for a variety of analytical instruments. Instrumentation may include, but is not limited to, GC/MS, GC-ECD, LC-MS/MS.
• Evaluates data for compliance with permit requirements, water quality standards; interprets and reviews laboratory data and reports for clarity and accuracy; identifies anomalies and unusual trends; and notifies supervisors of corrective actions or deficiencies in frequency of monitoring, QA requirements, etc.
• Maintains documentation, including case narratives and supporting data.
• Reviews data and procedures to verify that requirements in the methods, SOPs, QA procedures, and Chemical Hygiene Plan are met.
• Record observations, calculations and results, accurately and neatly.
• Assists in implementation of new methods and new equipment; assures that the requirements of the methods, SOPs, required quality control, and safety considerations are met.
• Assists in providing training of co-workers in analytical procedures and associated duties.
• Participates in audits and inspections; assures corrective actions are taken.
• Safely handles potentially hazardous chemical and biological solutions/samples.
• Complies with centralized ordering and inventory procedures.
• Follows safety protocol and conducts safety checks per schedule.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements To Perform Work

• Bachelor's degree required in chemistry or a scientific field from an accredited school.
• Two (2) years of related work experience, preferably in a certified environmental laboratory.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

• Certifications: FEMA NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800, or obtain within 6 months of hire
• Requires the NC Wastewater Analyst Certification I, II, and III (or obtain within five years of hire date).
• NC Waterworks Operators Association Certification for Total Coliforms and E. coli
• Additional certifications based upon area of work

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software.
• Knowledge of common office software and other pertinent computer programs.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to services provided by a laboratory.
• Knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering, and statistics.
• Knowledge of sampling and laboratory protocols.
• Skill in operation, extraction, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting of specialized laboratory equipment and instrumentation used on the job.
• Skill in communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in using spreadsheets, charts, and graphs.
• Skill in analytical thinking, strict attention to details, methodical and systematic approach.
• Skill in time management, ability to set priorities and exercise independent judgment
• Ability to follow SOPs, reference methods and instructions.
• Ability to analyze and interpret analytical data.

Physical Demands

The work is medium, which requires applying 30 pounds of force frequently and exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: prolonged standing and/or sitting, walking, balancing, climbing, stooping, crouching, kneeling, grasping, handling, lifting, manual dexterity, feeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, distinguishing among sounds, mental acuity, visual acuity in data/color/observations /instrumentation, and walking.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Work is performed in a relatively safe, secure, and stable work environment. Requires working on-call as scheduled, and working nights and weekends as needed. Requires occasional work over the 40-hour work week.

Conditions Of Employment

The City's Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate's written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

How To Apply

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email View email address on click.appcast.io

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call View phone number on click.appcast.io.

The City of Charlotte