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Assistant Microbiologist (Temporary Full-Time) - Metropolitan Water District - La Verne, CA - EXPIRED


This is an archive of an expired job.

Job Information:

Company: Metropolitan Water District

Metropolitan Water District Logo

OPENING
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a consortium of 26 cities and water districts that provides drinking water to nearly 19 million people in Southern California. Metropolitanís mission is to provide its service area with adequate and reliable supplies of high quality water to meet current and future needs in an environmentally and economically responsible way. Metropolitanís facilities include the 242-mile Colorado River Aqueduct, five water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 2.3 billion gallons per day, nine surface water reservoirs, 800 miles of pipeline, and 16 hydroelectric power plants.
ASSISTANT MICROBIOLOGIST (TEMPORARY FULL-TIME)
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has one opening for a temporary (Up to 18 months) Assistant Microbiologist at its Weymouth Plant in La Verne, California.

This position provides essential laboratory support to Metropolitan's Regional Recycled Water Program and the Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Plant. This position is responsible for supporting and assisting with pathogen and indicator microorganism analyses of wastewater samples.

The position assists with the analysis of wastewater samples for pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and enteric viruses. This position will also assist with the analysis of wastewater samples for indicator microorganisms such as coliphage, bacterial endospores, and fecal bacteria; assist with the maintenance and use of cell cultures for culturable virus assays; and prepare reagents. Other duties include, but are not limited to the following: clean and decontaminate glassware and equipment; ensure supplies and equipment are available to complete analyses in a timely manner; perform routine quality assurance and quality control tasks and complete required documentation; and clean laboratory surfaces.

Positions at this level learn to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity; work on assignments that are routine in nature, requiring limited judgment and decision making. Specific and detailed guidelines covering all aspects of the assignment are provided; work is in strict adherence to the guidelines, procedures, and safety policies, including the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, biological safety cabinets, and fume hoods; and any deviations must be authorized. The work consists of tasks that are clear-cut and directly related.

JOB DUTIES
1.    Learns and assists with development of new or improved environmental microbiological or biological testing methods and laboratory procedures for use in determining water quality.

2.    Conducts routine microbiological, biological, or chemical tests; learns and assists with evaluating data and validating results.

3.    May perform sample collection and assists with isolation and identification of aquatic organisms to aid in management and treatment strategies.

4.    Prepares standard solutions, reagents, and media as required.

5.    Assists with special research projects in support of water quality.

6.    Collects data related to water quality analyses.  Learns and assists with analysis and interpretation of water quality data.  Assists with preparation of technical reports.

7.    Learns and assists in developing or updating quality assurance/quality control plans, and standard operating procedures.
8.    May provide training on laboratory procedures.

9.    Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots basic laboratory and field equipment and instrumentation.

10.    May participate on a project team.

Work Schedule: 9/80; Monday-Friday (alternate Fridays off)
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: Bachelorís degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.

Related degree is defined as: microbiology or a related biological, environmental or physical sciences field.

Required Knowledge of: General microbiology and biology; basic culture techniques; aseptic techniques; basic statistics; laboratory techniques; and basic laboratory safety protocols; and current office technology and equipment.

Required Skills and Abilities to: Basic data analysis; apply laboratory techniques; problem solve; prioritize and multi-task; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work independently and in a team environment; and operate current office equipment including computers and supporting applications.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this position may be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications, licensing, and registrations:

License required: Valid California Class C Driver License that allows you to drive in the course of your employment (Must have at time of application).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND VISION REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met or may be encountered by an employee to successfully perform the job duties of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job duties.

Physical Demands:  The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing; walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, or similar activities; recurring lifting of moderately heavy items such as personal computers and record boxes.  The work may require specific, but common, physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average agility and dexterity.

Work Environment:  The work involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions, e.g., working around moving parts, carts, or machines, or irritant chemicals; etc.  Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear such as masks, gowns, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields.

Vision Requirements:  No special vision requirements.

Job Related Selection Criteria:
25% Technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities that includes: waterborne pathogen detection and characterization, aseptic technique, microscopy, molecular biology, culture techniques, operation of standard laboratory equipment, use of autoclaves, principles of preparing solutions and reagents, and pathogen precautions.
15% Job Preparation (education, training and experience relevant to the position)
15% Analytical Skills
15% Laboratory Safety Awareness
05% Organization/Planning
10% Teamwork
10% Oral Communication Skills
05% Written Communication Skills
100% Total
BENEFITS
- Competitive compensation
- Excellent medical, dental, life, vision and retirement plans, including pension plan and 401k (with matching contribution), tuition reimbursement, and more
- Training and advancement opportunities
- Excellent working environment
- Public transportation reimbursements and van pools
 
For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: http://www.mwdh2o.com/PDF_Careers/benefits.pdf
 
This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. To receive a copy of the complete job description, please send an email to [email protected].
 
Reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities may be requested by calling (213) 217-7738 at least 5 working days in advance of the scheduled examination date(s).

MWD is a Federal and State EO employer ñ Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.
 To apply for this position, please copy and paste the following link into your browser address bar: https://mwdh2o.contacthr.com/66167723