The City of Derby strives to be an employer of choice and our desire is to attract and retain honest, hard-working and motivated employees who are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the citizens of Derby.  We offer competitive wages, awesome benefits, including affordable health insurance with no deductible and no coinsurance and retirement benefits.  We also offer Alternative Work Schedules to help employees achieve work-life balance.  Details related to the position description are below:

60% Laboratory Tests and Procedures 

• Coordinate and collaborate with personnel involved with the laboratory functions.
• Collect samples daily at the source for analysis.
• Conduct technical, bacteriological, and chemical analysis of water samples throughout the water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to determine process performance.
• Analyze data and suggest parameters for solid testing, return solid rates, and aeration rates.
• Operate the facilities and lab in accordance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements along with the City’s NPDES discharge permit.
• Follow current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), and State approved TNI regulations.
• Maintain all laboratory equipment in good working order.
• Perform laboratory duties with the highest degree of integrity and ethics as identified in the quality assurance manual.
• Act as Quality Assurance Officer (QAO) of the laboratory.

20% Laboratory Facilities 

• Troubleshoot problems with division equipment.
• Maintain all division equipment in good working order.
• Organize and maintain the laboratory facilities in a clean and safe condition.
• Order supplies and materials necessary for the operation of the laboratory.

20% Records and Reports 

• Prepare and maintain proper records, reports, and documents related to the division in an organized manner.
• Maintain laboratory’s standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and keep SOP manual up to date.
• Maintain and keep Safety Data Sheet (SDS) sheets current and in an orderly fashion.
• Report any attempts to manipulate or falsify data to a supervisor immediately.

Continually looks for new and improved ways of completing the above functions.  Other tasks as assigned will be performed in order to address business needs.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Latitude:  Most duties are assigned and then the employee arranges tasks in order to complete duties.  Problem-solving is accomplished by employee with guidance and direction from Laboratory Analyst.  All purchase requests must be approved by supervisor.  Regular and reliable attendance at work is required.

Interaction:  Frequent interaction with employees throughout the organization and the general public is required.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, required.
• One year water/wastewater treatment and/or laboratory experience, preferred.
• Degree in environmental science, biology, microbiology, chemistry or related field preferred.
• Valid Kansas driver’s license and driving record must meet commercial liability insurance requirements.  
• Class I KDHE Wastewater or Water Operator certification, required within 18 months of hire date.
• Class I ABC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Certification, required within 24 months of hire date.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200 & 700 required within 12 months of hire date.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Broad knowledge of microbiology, chemistry, use of chemicals, and operation of wastewater treatment facility equipment.
• Ability to apply intermediate level mathematics skills.
• Ability to operate all division equipment and machinery, flow meters, including laboratory testing equipment, analytical meters and probes, and pumps and valves.
• Ability to meet and deal tactfully with the general public and communicate effectively and clearly, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to operate office-related equipment, including ability to access, input, process, and retrieve information from various computer software such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and the SCADA System.
• Ability to conduct research and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle on a regular basis.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Conditions:  Regular (40%) exposure to adverse weather conditions, hazardous elements, and dangerous situations.  Occasional carrying, lifting, moving, or pushing of 20 pounds.  Occasional bending, kneeling, squatting, and twisting.  Must be able to wear facemask.