Laboratory Technician I

Laboratory Technician I

The City of Salem is seeking a Laboratory Technician I for the environmental lab located in the Willow Lake Pollution Control Facility. The Willow Lake Water Pollution Control Facility is the primary treatment facility for the city and operates 24/7, 365 days per year. The laboratory reports approximately 50,000 results annually. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! We have a diverse team of tenured and newer employees working together to support each other and our community. The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team. We value our employees and their professional development.

This Laboratory Technician I will be responsible for providing lateral coverage to operations during the wet weather season as a required job duty when staffing allows. The lateral coverage entails collecting samples in the wastewater plant and performing laboratory analyses in the operation laboratories located in the plant separate from the main laboratory. This position involves the testing and analyzing of treatment plant wastewater, industrial pretreatment wastewater, wastewater treatment sludge, watershed, biosolids, stormwater, cyanotoxins and potable water samples. The Laboratory Technician I position performs various analytical test techniques and use of equipment to record test results for an accredited municipal environmental laboratory by the Oregon Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, ORELAP. The successful candidate must have demonstrated laboratory experience using various testing methods and equipment, acquired knowledge of environmental regulations and standards, and possess strong communication skills. A Laboratory Technician I is required to provide lateral coverage to operations during wet weather season as staffing allows. The lateral coverage entails collecting samples in the wastewater plant and performing laboratory analyses in the operations laboratories located in the plant separate from the main laboratory.

Additional information on job responsibilities includes:

• Knowledge of laboratory tests, methods, and equipment used in the operation of an environmental analytical laboratory.
• Knowledge of chemistry, including automated analysis procedures, and water bacteriology.
• Knowledge of analytical methods.
• Knowledge of National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) standards.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control practices used in an analytical laboratory.
• Knowledge of Federal and State Environmental Testing regulations as they pertain to Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act programs.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, laboratory hazards, safety precautions, and sample collection.
• Skill in the use and care of laboratory and office equipment including personal computers and typical office or laboratory software.
• Ability to maintain records, hand record legible test results, research information, compile data prepare timely reports accurately and interpret results.
• Ability to effectively communicate with the public, stakeholders, city staff, contract laboratories, and regulatory bodies or agencies.
• Use precision computerized equipment with a high degree of accuracy.
• Explain to people with a non-technical background what the technical information means and how it can be used.
• Respect, seek to understand, and value individual differences to foster and support a diverse and inclusive workplace.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• One position schedule is Saturday – Wednesday or Wednesday – Sunday 0730 - 1600
• One position schedule is either Sunday – Thursday or Tuesday – Saturday 0730 - 1600
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have an Oregon Driver's license and have a driving record that meets the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Associate's degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, laboratory science or related subject, and two years of experience in a laboratory, collecting samples, analyzing data, interpreting results, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skill and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.

Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across two counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development. If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team!

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

To apply, click on the green "Apply" button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application. Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications. You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today! For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT AN IMPLIED CONTRACT AND MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE