Water Quality Chemist I/II (Multi-Level Position)

Salary: $28.21 - $45.90 Hourly
Location : 6450 York St., Denver, CO
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2228-092026
Department: Environmental Services
Division: Laboratory
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region's health and environment.
Description
At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region's health and environment.
Work Schedule: Wednesday through Saturday, four (4) 10-hour shifts.

This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon the candidate's qualifications:

Water Quality Chemist I ($28.21-$39.35 Hourly)
Performs laboratory analyses for chemical, biochemical, physical, and microbiological properties of water, wastewater, biosolids and soil samples. Works under the direct supervision of a Laboratory Supervisor.

Water Quality Chemist II ($32.91-$45.90 Hourly)
Performs laboratory analyses for chemical, biochemical, physical, and microbiological properties of water, wastewater, biosolids and soil samples. Works under the direct supervision of a Laboratory Supervisor.
Examples of Duties

This position is being posted at multiple levels. For Example of Duties, please select the appropriate below and wait for pop-up on the right of the screen.

Water Quality Chemist I

Qualifications
Water Quality Chemist I
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Basic understanding of laboratory instrumentation, procedures and techniques.
• Basic mathematics.
• Basic understanding of Laboratory QA/QC processes.
• Basic chemical handling and lab safety.
• MS Office software and general office processes and procedures.

Skilled at:

• Effective communication.
• Working in a laboratory performing chemical, biochemical or microbiological analyses.
• Recordkeeping.
• Efficient management of time to meet deadlines and hold times for analyses.

Ability to:

• Follow technical instructions accurately.
• Pay attention to detail in executing laboratory procedures.
• Complete work in a timely manner.
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrate ethics, integrity, and a respectful attitude towards co-workers.
• Work in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing priorities and multitasking efficiently.
• Show consistent self-direction and initiation of tasks.

Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent in chemistry, biology, or related fields. Valid driver license.

Water Quality Chemist II
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Laboratory instrumentation, procedures, and techniques.
• Laboratory troubleshooting methods.
• Basic mathematics.
• Laboratory QA/QC processes.
• Laboratory safety, chemical handling, and hazardous waste disposal.
• MS Office software and general office processes and procedures.

Skilled at:

• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Written and oral communication, including scientific writing, recordkeeping and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Working in a laboratory performing chemical, biochemical or microbiological analyses.
• Training and mentoring staff.
• Efficient management of time to meet deadlines and hold times for analyses.
• Using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

Ability to:

• Provide leadership and oversight in a technical or analytical laboratory area.
• Develop new laboratory procedures and/or bring instrumentation on-line.
• Provide technical expertise, and train and mentor laboratory analyst Is and IIs.
• Develop and maintain efficient and effective workflows in assigned areas.
• Troubleshoot and resolve basic issues related to laboratory instrumentation and equipment and demonstrate good judgment.
• Work in a dynamic environment, adapting to changing priorities and multitasking efficiently.
• Effectively communicate and interact with peers, management, and others both orally and in writing.
• Show consistent self-direction and initiation of tasks.
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent with major course work in chemistry, biology, or related fields and a valid driver's license are required.
Working Conditions

Frequent inside Laboratory setting including use of hot ovens and inside cold walk-in refrigerators; Outside environment in all Colorado weather conditions and temperatures when collecting samples; Frequent exposure to direct sun; Wet/Humid Conditions; Residential and Commercial wastewater/Biosolids; Variety of floor surfaces including concrete; Gravel; Asphalt; Dirt; Tile; Loose stones; Uneven surfaces; Slippery surfaces; Wet surfaces; Frequent work with acids and other chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light; fluorescent; incandescent; and low light; Vibration; Moving equipment such as carboys, sample sticks, trays; Driving vehicles.

Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Sitting; Climbing stairs; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Crouching; Typing; Fine hand coordination and movements.

Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 35 lbs.
Max Weight Carried: 35 lbs.
Max Force Pushed: 22 lbs.
Max Force Pulled: 80 lbs.

Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Frequently near and far and going between; Depth perception; Perception identifying objects in space and by site; Color discrimination amongst liquids; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Hearing.

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants for employment with Metro Water Recovery must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
Metro Water Recovery offers a wide range of employee benefits including:
* Medical
* Dental
* Vision
* Life Insurance
* Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
* Retirement
* Leave Time (Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, & Holiday)
* Additional Voluntary Benefits

about our organization.
01

After reviewing the Job Posting and the working conditions for this position, are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03

This job involves the collection and analysis of raw sewage, septic waste, and other potentially unpleasant or malodorous samples. Does this give you any hesitation?

• Yes
• No

04

This position requires weekend and holiday work on a rotating basis. Do you understand, that if an offer is made, this coverage is a requirement of the position?

• Yes
• No

05

Please describe your previous lab experience, specifically highlighting any analyses that you have experience with in determining water quality.
Required Question