WATER MICROBIOLOGIST - SENIOR

What Milwaukee can offer YOU  

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

The Water Microbiologist-Senior will perform specialized microbiological analyses in accordance with state and federal regulations and local standards. This position will work directly with the Water Quality Manager to assess new techniques to meet the changing needs of the water treatment plant and emerging microbiological contaminants (e.g. premise plumbing pathogens) that may become regulated or affect public health.

• Plan, develop, and implement new technology for research and regulatory compliance purposes.
• Draft and review standard operating procedures for new methods, protocols, and standard laboratory procedures.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot all microbiological equipment, including autoclaves, incubators, refrigerators, and freezers.
• Analyze water samples from the following sources to address compliance, customer concerns and research demands: surface water, process and treated water, finished and distribution water.
• Apply Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) as described under the Water Quality laboratory certification program.
• Act as team lead for the Water Quality Laboratory staff including assigning duties, setting performance standards, providing guidance and training, and monitoring work in progress.
• Oversee Water Quality certification to ensure daily compliance monitoring and sampling is performed. This may include certification recording and tabulating proficiency results; recording performance of each analyst and maintaining all equipment maintenance and calibration data for laboratory audits.
• Review the work of lab staff to ensure that the required number of samples are collected, tested, and recorded.
• Train microbiological staff and chemists assigned to projects and programs of the Microbiology portion of the Water Quality Laboratory in micro- and molecular biology techniques, methods, troubleshooting procedures, data processing, reporting, and QA/QC protocols.
• Ensure accuracy of test results by checking that quality control procedures are continuously followed.
• Maintain a safe working environment and respond to emergency situations as needed.
• Assist in establishing work assignments for microbiological projects, maintain current records of projects, and advise Water Quality management of emerging microbiological concerns.  

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• Water plant section employees are considered “essential” and must report to work no matter the weather conditions or emergency event. Employees must respond when called for after-hours emergencies by reporting onsite and conducting necessary work to resolve the emergency.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology or closely related field.
2. Four years of professional experience in an environmental laboratory performing duties related to this position.
3. Valid driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment.
4. Must obtain State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Surface Water Municipal Water Supply Operator Certification within 12 months of employment and maintain throughout employment.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected.  Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.  Student copies are acceptable.  

• Knowledge of proper sample collection and preservation techniques, aseptic technique, pipetting and other microbiological tools.
• Knowledge of specimen transfer and molecular techniques.
• Knowledge of standard operating procedures required for DNR compliance, Wisconsin laboratory certification and advanced microbiological techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microscopy.
• Must have high ethical standards to report accurate lab results and ensure regulatory compliance at all times.
• Skill in the use of computer software such as Microsoft Office and Computerized Maintenance Management System to enter and review lab orders and recording.        
• Written communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to provide work supervision by assigning duties, setting performance standards, providing guidance and training, and monitoring work in progress.
• Ability to work with laboratory equipment such as hot water baths, centrifuges, thermocyclers and gel electrophoresis.
• Ability to analyze and review lab results accurately.
• Ability to consistently monitor process control of the water treatment plant.
• Ability to stay current with all of the regulations pertaining to compliance monitoring.
• Ability to read and interpret primary literature to consistently improve lab effectiveness.
• Ability to understand, interpret and apply regulatory requirements, including QA/QC protocols and procedures.
• Ability to work cooperatively with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate information to solve problems.    
• Ability to communicate orally with individuals at all levels inside and outside the organization.        
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work to achieve objectives within deadlines.

The current salary range (2HN) is $54,942 - $76,806 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $56,590 - $79,110 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.  

BENEFITS  
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability
• Insurance Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits2019.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.     I

NITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE  

• Applications and further information can be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.com/MIL.
• Applications and transcripts should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

“The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer”