Laboratory Assistant

Job Summary

Assist the manager and technician with the daily operations of the laboratory. Perform chemical, microbiological and bacteriological tests. Subject to being on call, including nights, weekends and holidays. Respond to emergency situations.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The following examples do not identify all duties performed by any single incumbent.

• Assist the Manager by performing laboratory tests and performing other duties as assigned.
• Maintain laboratory equipment by performing calibrations on equipment, washing glassware, sterilizing equipment and cleaning up chemical spills.
• Perform clerical duties by entering data into the computer, logging test results and compiling various reports.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience, and Abilities:

Education, Certification and Experience Required:

• Possession of a High School diploma or equivalent
• Possession of a valid Texas Class C driver’s license
• Possession of a Grade D Laboratory Analyst certification, or obtain within one year of employment
• Possession of a Grade C Surface Water or Groundwater or Water Distribution certification, or obtain within two years of employment
• Possession of a Class C Wastewater certification or Class II Wastewater Collection certification, or obtain within two years of employment
• Bacteriological Examination certification preferred
• Experience in the use of computers, including word processing and spreadsheets, and database maintenance
• One-year direct or related experience preferred

• Knowledge of the practical use of chemical and bacteriological laboratory equipment and ability to perform tests on water and wastewater samples in conformance with accepted standards.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of chemistry and biology as they apply to the analysis of water and wastewater.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the TNRCC and USEPA relating to the water and wastewater industries.
• Good mathematical aptitude as required performing simple laboratory calculations.
• Ability to work an on-call schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Ability to maintain regular and predictable attendance.

• Analytical balances, PH meters, hot water baths, autoclaves, microscope, spectrophotometer, sample collection devices, pipettes, computer and related software, fax machine

• Position requires ability to work an on-call schedule, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Duties are generally performed in a laboratory setting, and within the city. This position is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, including cold, heat, and potential hazards. The employee is exposed to personal risk while conducting laboratory tests and working with potentially contaminated substances.
The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Travel within the community from one city facility to another occurs as necessary.

At the City of Kerrville, we are proud to offer each eligible employee a competitive total compensation package. To maintain our competitiveness, market analysis’ are completed regularly to compare employee pay with market rates and make adjustments when needed and when our budget allows.

Full time employees are eligible for the following employee benefits:

• Medical: With budget approval, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employee only coverage and contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage.
• Dental: With budget approval, the City contributes 100% of the cost for employee only coverage and contributes a portion of the cost of dependent coverage.
• Vision: The employee pays 100% of the cost.
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Coverage: With budget approval, this is a City paid benefit for employee only coverage. Terms apply.
• Long Term Disability Insurance: With budget approval, this is a City paid benefit for employee only coverage. Terms apply.
• Longevity: With budget approval, employees earn $4.00 per month for each complete full month of continuous service. The employee must complete one full year of employment to be eligible. Maximum benefit is $1,200 annually.
• Voluntary Life Insurance: The employee may elect up to five times their base annual salary with a maximum of $250,000. Coverage for spouse and dependent children is also available for purchase. Terms apply.
• Voluntary AD&D: The employee may elect up to ten times their base annual salary with a maximum of $500,000. Terms apply.
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability: The employee may elect up to 60% of their base weekly salary with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000. Terms apply.
• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS): This mandatory retirement plan requires each employee to contribute 7% of their gross salary to the plan and the City matches contributions 2 to 1. An employee becomes eligible to retire with 20 years of service or with five years of service at a minimum of age 60.
• Optional Deferred Compensation: The employee may contribute to a 457 plan through Mission Square Retirement.
• Social Security: Current rate is 6.2% for both employee and employer
• Medicare: Current rate is 1.45% for both employee and employer.
• Vacation – 12 days annually during first five years of employment (accrued monthly)
• Sick Leave – 12 days per calendar year (accrued monthly)
• Holidays – 14 holidays plus two floating day