Introduction
Charlotte’s local government, with more than 7,000 employees and a $2.39 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.
Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with 300,000 customer accounts and over 1000 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 23 budget is $535M and a five-year capital program of $2.5 billion. We enjoy the highest credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council. We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment.
Overview
The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 15th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 897,000 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 performs analytical tests on drinking water, wastewater, groundwater and surface water to ensure compliance with environment regulations.
Summary
Work involves preparing/analyzing samples per standardized protocols, validating samples, and maintaining chain of custody; analyzing, verifying, and entering data; recording and reporting deviations; operating, calibrating, maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing instrumentation necessary to conduct these; verifying thermometer readings; participating in audits; and handling emergencies. This position ensures analysis follows adherence to quality assurance procedures; maintains documentation along with corrective action records; purchases consumable; trains coworkers; and assists with daily sample scheduling in the absence of supervisor.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Performs sample preparation and analysis, which may include but is not limited to, EPA Methods 537.1, 1633 draft, 533, 524.2, 552, 624.1, 625.1, 608.3, 8260, 8270, 8081/8082, 1696.1, qPCR, and ddPCR according to approved methods, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and Quality Assurance (QA) procedures; tracks samples; enters data into the laboratory database.
• Schedules analyses to adhere to policies of the lab regarding method hold times and turnaround times; works with the supervisor regarding sample scheduling and workflow.
• Complies with laboratory Quality Assurance (QA)/QC procedures.
• Performs instrumentation needs of the position, including application, optimization, maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repair.
• Receives samples in the laboratory and validates/maintains legal chain of custody.
• Records deviations from established protocols and permit limits or requirements; provides supporting documentation; and notifies supervisor.
• Validates data.
• Maintains equipment and/or instrumentation with routine and preventative maintenance.
• Recommends and implements procedural changes with supervisor review and approval.
• Participate in audits and inspections; ensures corrective actions are taken and documented.
• Assists in review and may report regulatory data if requested by supervisor.
• Trains coworkers; assists in developing training checklists; and assists in ensuring documentation is complete.
• Assists in implementation of new methods and new equipment; assures that the requirements of the methods, SOPs, required quality control, and safety considerations are being met.
• Maintains awareness of new rules, regulations, and anticipated dates of promulgation as pertaining to emerging contaminants.
• Purchases consumable goods; requests quotes from vendors; creates requisitions; places orders; acknowledges receipt of orders; follows-up on back orders; and contacts vendors regarding delays or damaged goods.
• Complies with centralized ordering, P-Card, 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 dimensional analysis as well as inferential statistics.
• Knowledge of operating and maintenance of specialized equipment and instrumentation used on the job.
• Knowledge of sampling and laboratory protocols.
• Skill in calibrating laboratory instrumentation.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in using spreadsheets, charts, and graphs.
• Skill in analytical thinking, methodical and systematic approach.
• Adherence to SOPs, reference methods, state regulations and laboratory protocol.
• Ability to effectively communicate with state and federal agencies concerning regulations.
• 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.
Preferred Qualification
• Work experience, preferably in a certified environmental laboratory, to include EPA Methods 537.1, 1633 draft, 533, 524.2, 552, 624.1, 625.1, 608.3, 8260, 8270, 8081/8082, 1696.1, qPCR, and/or ddPCR.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in chemistry, environmental science, or related field from an accredited school.
• A minimum of five (5) years of related work experience, preferably in a certified environmental laboratory, to include EPA Methods 537.1, 1633 draft, 533, 524.2, 552, 624.1, 625.1, 608.3, 8260, 8270, 8081/8082, 1696.1, qPCR, and/or ddPCR.
Licenses, Certifications or Registrations:
• Requires a NC Wastewater Analyst Certification I, II, III, and IV (or obtain within five years of hire date).
• Requires completion of NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 (or obtain within six months of hire).
• Additional certifications based on 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.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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 we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
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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