Overview
The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.
Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.
Function
This position, within the Microbiology 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.
Summary
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.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Performs sample preparation and analysis, which may include, but is not limited to, Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms by membrane filtration, EPA Methods 546, 1623, and 1696 according to approved methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Quality Assurance (QA) procedures; maintains sample integrity and chain of custody.
• Proficient in molecular techniques specifically relating to Microbial Source Tracking, cloning, and primer-probe design.
• 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, qPCR thermal cycler, microtiter plate reader, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight (MALDI-TOF), and Microscopes.
• 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.
Knowledge, Skills & 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 oral and written communication
• 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 and reference methods.
• 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.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree required in chemistry, microbiology or a scientific field from an accredited school.
• Two (2) years of practical work experience performing laboratory chemical and/or biological analyses of water and/or wastewater, 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 (when offered).
• Additional certifications based upon area of work.
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.
As of October 1, 2021:
The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for any new City of Charlotte employees. The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.
Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
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.
Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Benefits
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
In Conclusion
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