Water Services Microbiologist (Chemist I*Specialty)

Phoenix is the 5th largest city in the country and the vibrant center of one of the fastest-growing job markets and economies in the United States. With more than 14,000 employees working across 35 departments, the city of Phoenix offers opportunity for career growth and advancement. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your career, working in public service offers many rewards! Please join us in our mission as we attract, develop, support, and retain a talented workforce so they can provide exceptional services to our community. The City of Phoenix Water Services Department, one of the nation's largest potable water utilities, treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.5 million customers across approximately 540 square miles. Phoenix Water Services also manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix.

The Water Services Microbiologist is a Chemist I Specialty position and is assigned to the Environmental Services Division (ESD) in the Water Services Department. This position is responsible for performing compliance testing for microorganisms per EPA and Standard Methods as well as method development in various regulatory programs and special studies for the Water Services Department. The microbiology group regularly engages in the microbiological (total and fecal coliform), parasitology (cryptosporidium and giardia), and molecular biology (polymerase chain reaction) analyses of water and wastewater samples in accordance with federal and state laboratory requirements and internal quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) policies and procedures. This Specialty assignment differs from the base classification of Chemist I due to the greater quality control and documentation requirements to develop scientifically sound, legally defensible methods that ensure compliance and maintain the laboratory's ADHS licensure and NELAP accreditation.

• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Familiarity with technical instrumentation and analytical procedures including any or all of the following:
  • Colilert P/A, Colilert MPN, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Multiple Tube Fermentation, PCR, biomonitoring principals, aseptic techniques.
• Knowledge of Laboratory Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures.
• Knowledge of State, Federal and NELAP regulations.
• Colilert P/A, Colilert MPN, Heterotrophic Plate Count, Multiple Tube Fermentation, PCR, biomonitoring principals, aseptic techniques.

$23.98 (minimum) - $36.59 (maximum) hourly / $49,878.40 - $76,107.20 annually.

A comprehensive benefits package is offered which includes:

• Tuition reimbursement program up to $6,500 per year
• 401(a) and 457 plans with employer contributions
• Medical enrollment includes a monthly $150 City contribution to a Post-Employment Health Plan
• Choice of generous medical HMO, PPO, or HSA/HDHP plans
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness offered through Savi
• Dental, vision, and life insurance options
• Paid time off includes 13.5 paid holidays, 12 vacation days, and 15 sick days and personal leave days
• Wellness incentive of up to $720 annually
• Paid Parental Leave for eligible employees up to 480 hours (12 weeks) of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child during a 12-month period
• Free Bus/light rail pass
• Traditional pension with employer and employee contributions, click here for more details: Pension Information
• Employer paid long-term disability

For more details, visit: Unit 007 Benefits

• Two years of professional level experience in chemical and microbiological analyses in the public health or chemical laboratory field.
• The City job description can be found here.
• For information regarding pre-screening and driving positions, click here.
• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• All finalists for positions are subject to a criminal background check applicable to the department or position.

The minimum qualifications listed above, plus:

• Using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other data entry application.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel applications.
• Experience with/in the following;
  • EPA and Standard Methods, and/or Arizona Department of Health Services policies and procedures for Laboratory accreditation and licensure.
  • Writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures for various analytical methods.
  • Using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) or other data entry application.
  • Troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
  • Analyzing water/wastewater samples and reviewing microbiological data for compliance.
• EPA and Standard Methods, and/or Arizona Department of Health Services policies and procedures for Laboratory accreditation and licensure.
• Analyzing water/wastewater samples and reviewing microbiological data for compliance.
• Troubleshooting and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Writing and revising Standard Operating Procedures for various analytical methods.

Recruitment closes May 18, 2023. All materials must be received by 11:59 p.m. on this date.

This is a position-based recruitment and generates a one time use only list. Once interviews are conducted and candidates are selected, this job posting will be considered closed and candidates will no longer be in consideration for the position applied for. This posting will not result in any ongoing eligibility list.

Apply online by completing the required information and attaching, as one document, your cover letter and resume. Please include your experience as it relates to the qualifications stated above. Only the highest qualified may be posted to the eligible to hire list. The results of the resume screening process will be sent to your primary email address.

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• If you need assistance applying for this job, please contact our HR Connection Center at (602) 495-5700.
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Chemist I*Specialty, JC:23412, ID# 50418, 05/11/2023, USM, JG, Benefits:007, Q

Building the Phoenix of tomorrow.

City of Phoenix is an equal opportunity employer. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni who meet the required qualifications are encouraged to apply.