Job Details

Microbiologist II/III

Valley Water


Salary: See Position Description

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 01476-E

Location: CA, CA

Department: Treated Water

Closing: 5/30/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Laboratory Services Unit (Position Code 0295)

Microbiologist ll: $8,805.33 - $11,264.93 monthly
Microbiologist lll: $9,476.13 - $12,129.87 monthly

COVID-19 vaccination requirement:
*To protect our most valuable assets, our employees, as well as the communities we serve, Valley Water requires all newly hired Valley Water personnel to be fully vaccinated (for COVID -19) or to be formally excused from the requirement through the **reasonable accommodation process (for details, see bottom of job posting)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 10%-20% remote.

Overview:
The Microbiologist II/III is a critical position to meet compliance requirements related to water treatment operations, adoption of new Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) regulations, bacteriological monitoring, algae monitoring, invasive species monitoring, and other critical water quality testing.

The overall focus of this position is to perform full range of microbiological and analytical testing activities in the Water Quality Lab's microbiology section, including method development, data review and approval, standard operating procedure updates, and meeting all requirements of the Laboratory's quality assurance program. This position has the responsibility to perform a number of bacteriological determinations, analysis of Giardia/Cryptosporidium, invasive mussels, algae speciation, and other work as assigned. In addition, the ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of drinking water regulations and monitoring requirements and will be able to adapt specific U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and/or Standard Methods for the purpose of State accreditation. The position requires good instrument troubleshooting and maintenance skills, and the ability to perform complex water quality studies; review and analysis of analytical data; follow all environmental health and safety policies and procedures, and work well with other team members.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and review microbiological and analytical methods and procedures for water quality analysis.
• Perform complex microbiological testing and evaluate effectiveness of testing methods.
• Comply with requirement of Laboratory Quality Management System.
• Maintain all required documentation and conduct Standard Operating Procedure review and updates.
• Sample collection, receiving, login, preservation, and shipping.
• Participate in the proficiency testing program and monitor the performance of work performed in Microbiology section through the internal audit program.
• Perform routine and non-routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and instruments.
• Data reporting, review, and trend analysis using Laboratory Information Management System.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria listed below.

Ideal Experience:

• Monitoring of reservoirs and source waters to detect changes in water quality due to biological activity, such as, algae and algal toxicity, bacteriological, invasive mussels and other constituents as needed.
• Hands-on experience or training in the analysis of Giardia/Cryptosporidium.
• Knowledge and experience in the preparation of bacteriological media, and Total Coliform, E. coli, and Heterotrophic Plate Counts (HPC) analysis.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:
Microbiologist II
Ability to:

• Perform special biological, limnological, and ecological investigations of reservoirs, distribution systems and recycled water collect samples for specified projects.
• Assist in the development of applied research projects; develop and review test equipment, products, methods, and procedures; recommend operational and equipment modifications to ensure delivered water meets regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and conduct minor maintenance on various laboratory equipment.
• Develop, implement, and continuously optimize measurement techniques.
• Enter data and navigate the Laboratory Information Management System
• Perform a variety of duties in the analysis of drinking water, recycled water, and groundwater samples.
• Learn to perform and interpret water analysis test results.
• Learn to identify and analyze existing and potential laboratory demands and management challenges.
• Learn to administer budget, personnel, and administrative issues.
• Learn to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Learn to conduct complex water quality studies and review, analyze, and interpret the results.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Microbiologist III
In addition to the qualifications for Microbiologist II
Ability to:

• Independently perform analysis of Giardia/Cryptosporidium meeting the regulatory requirements.
• Identify and analyze existing and potential laboratory demands and management challenges.
• Administer budget, personnel, and administrative issues.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and participate in procurement process for equipment and supplies.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Conduct complex water quality studies and review, analyze, and interpret the results,
• Perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Perform a wide variety of professional analytical and technical duties involved in the analyses of water and wastewater.

Ideal Knowledge:

Microbiologist II

Some Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics of laboratory and electronic instruments and equipment.
• Methods and techniques of water sampling, preservation, extraction, storage requirements and analysis of microorganisms.
• Methods and techniques used in laboratory quality assurance programs.
• Principles and practices of applied research projects.
• Methods and techniques of handling and storing hazardous materials.
• Federal and state laws, codes, and regulations such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 136 and 141, and Title 22, Chapter 15 of the California Code of Regulations for drinking water.

Working Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of microbiology measurement techniques for various water matrices.
• Operation of analytical instrumentation and operating systems.
• Calibration, operation, and minor maintenance and repair of instrumentation.
• Interpretation of test results for water quality determinations.

Microbiologist III
In addition to the qualifications for Microbiologist II

Working Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and responsibilities involved in leading the work of assigned staff.

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Drinking water regulations and monitoring requirements.
• Regulatory notification and reporting requirements.

Ideal Training and Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in microbiology, molecular biology, or related scientific field.
Microbiologist II: Three (3) years of experience in water or wastewater analysis.
Microbiologist III: Five (5) years in water or wastewater analysis.

Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

To review the Classification Specification, please click here (Download PDF reader)

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
COVID-19 vaccination requirement:
* Fully vaccinated means (1) it has been at least two weeks since a person has completed the entire recommended series of a COVID-19 vaccine, and (2) the person has provided proof of vaccination in a form consistent with the requirements for verification of vaccine status in the State of California's July 26, 2021 Public Health Officer Order.
**Limited Exemptions to Vaccination Requirement
An individual who has been provided a job offer may request a reasonable accommodation to the vaccination requirement if they:
1. Have a contraindication recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or by the vaccine's manufacturer to every approved COVID-19 vaccine. A contraindication means a condition that makes vaccination inadvisable;
2. Have a disability and are requesting an exception as a reasonable accommodation based upon this disability; or,
3. Object to COVID-19 vaccination based on their sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.




To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scvwd/jobs/3563346/microbiologist-ii-iii




jeid-348f5489ba1e8240b5a46d3f3953c3ef





Copyright 2022 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency