Lab Associate Jobs in Hickory, NC (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: WWTP Lab Tech

Location: Kings Mountain, North Carolina
Department: Water Resources
Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Wastewater Supervisor/ORC

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General Statement of Duties:

The Wastewater Treatment Plant Lab Tech performs skilled technical laboratory work associated with wastewater treatment operations, regulatory compliance, and process control. This position is responsible for collecting and analyzing wastewater samples, maintaining laboratory certification requirements, interpreting analytical results, preparing regulatory reports, and assisting plant operations to ensure compliance with state and federal wastewater regulations.

The position serves as an on-call wastewater operator and assists with daily treatment plant operations, equipment inspections, maintenance activities, sampling, and troubleshooting. The employee works closely with plant personnel to monitor treatment processes, maintain accurate records, and support safe and efficient wastewater treatment operations.

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Essential Duties and Tasks:

· Performs routine and regulatory wastewater laboratory analyses, including:
- pH
- Temperature
- Total Residual Chlorine (TRC)
- Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
- Conductivity - Fecal Coliform
- Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
- Settleability testing
- Ammonia Nitrogen

· Collects, preserves, transports, and analyzes wastewater samples in accordance with approved procedures, standard methods, and North Carolina wastewater laboratory requirements.

· Interprets laboratory test results and prepares required reports; communicates findings to plant personnel and management to support treatment process adjustments and regulatory compliance.

· Works directly with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) by submitting required operational and compliance reports, responding to questions from regulators, staying up to date on changes to environmental regulations and permit requirements, and sharing important updates to help ensure the wastewater treatment system remains in compliance.

· Performs routine laboratory quality control procedures, including equipment calibration, quality assurance checks, documentation, and corrective actions to ensure accurate and reliable analytical results.

· Maintains State of North Carolina wastewater laboratory certification requirements, including completion of annual Proficiency Testing (PT), required documentation, and adherence to changing regulatory requirements.

· Compiles laboratory data and maintains accurate records for entry into electronic Discharge Monitoring Reports (eDMRs).

· Conducts routine plant inspections and tours to verify proper operation of treatment equipment, identify operational concerns, and report deficiencies.

· Performs duties as an on-call wastewater operator, responding to operational needs, alarms, emergencies, and after-hours plant issues as required.

· Assists wastewater operators with plant maintenance activities, including equipment upkeep, grounds maintenance, grass cutting, sampling activities, and general facility maintenance.

· Provides training and guidance to other personnel on laboratory procedures, sampling methods, quality control practices, and laboratory operations during periods of absence.

· Maintains inventory of laboratory chemicals, reagents, standards, supplies, and safety materials; orders and stocks materials as needed.

· Maintains accurate laboratory records, logs, and documentation required for regulatory compliance and operational control.

· Follows all safety procedures, chemical handling requirements, and applicable wastewater treatment regulations.

· Conduct grease interceptor inspections in support of the Pretreatment Program to ensure compliance with the Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Program.

· Ability to serve as an on-call operator.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

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Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

· High school diploma or equivalent, with coursework in environmental science, biology, chemistry, wastewater technology, or a related field.

· Ability to work rotating on-call assignments, nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs as needed.

Preferred:

· Qualified to fulfill the NCDEQ Laboratory Supervisor experience requirements, which include one of the following:
- A 4-year Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 6 months of laboratory experience.
- A 2-year Associate’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, or another related physical or natural science discipline with a minimum of 2 years of laboratory experience.
- 6 years of laboratory experience without a degree.

· Previous experience in a municipal wastewater treatment facility.

· Experience with North Carolina Division of Water Resources (DWR) wastewater reporting requirements and eDMR systems.

· Experience performing BOD, fecal coliform, ammonia nitrogen, and other regulatory wastewater analyses.

Special Requirements:

· North Carolina Grade I Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator Certification, or ability to obtain within 12 months.

· Valid North Carolina Driver’s License with the ability to meet the City’s Motor Vehicle Driver Eligibility Policy

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Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

· Wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, and laboratory procedures.

· Standard wastewater analytical methods and quality control practices.

· North Carolina wastewater laboratory certification requirements and regulatory compliance standards.

· Environmental regulations related to wastewater discharge permits and monitoring requirements.

· Chemical handling procedures, laboratory safety practices, and equipment maintenance.

Skills in:

· Performing accurate laboratory testing and maintaining reliable analytical results.

· Operating, calibrating, and maintaining laboratory equipment.

· Collecting and documenting wastewater samples.

· Reading and interpreting laboratory data and operational trends.

· Preparing technical reports, records, and regulatory documentation.

· Using computers, spreadsheets, laboratory software, and electronic reporting systems.

Ability to:

· Work independently and make sound decisions during routine and emergency situations.

· Communicate effectively with operators, supervisors, regulatory agencies, and the public.

· Maintain accurate records and meet strict reporting deadlines.

· Ability to demonstrate effective oral and written communication, typically to give or exchange information, resolve problems, and perform required tasks.

· Troubleshoot laboratory and operational issues.

· Perform mathematical calculations.

· Follow written procedures, safety policies, and regulatory requirements.

· Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and management.

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Physical Requirements:

· The work includes sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee frequently lifts light and occasionally heavy objects, climbs ladders, and uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.

· The work area can involve a working environment indoors, as well as outdoors, which could cause exposure to outdoor elements; proper environmental attire will be required. Some areas can have loud noise, active machinery, high pressure fluid systems, electrical equipment, confined spaces, heights and depths, fumes, airborne particles, noxious gases, bloodborne pathogens and various chemicals. Safety is of the utmost importance. The use of appropriate safety equipment will be mandatory in these areas to prevent hazardous contact.

· Must be able to sit, stand, stoop, twist and bend at the waist, turn, kneel, squat, raise arms above shoulder height, grasp, reach, perform repetitive hand movements and fine coordination when preparing reports and using a computer keyboard, have vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents and operate office equipment, have hearing in the normal range with or without correction. Within a 12-hour time-period, must be able to transport self across the facility, ascend and descend stair steps, lift objects up to 50 pounds from floor level to waist height, wearing and using appropriate safety equipment, including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

· Ability to respond to emergency call-outs and perform operational duties as assigned.

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Hiring Range:

$19.40 – $24.25 Hourly
$40,359 – $50,449 Annually

Salary will be based on qualifications, certifications, wastewater treatment experience, level of responsibility, and local government pay structure. Position may include additional compensation for on-call responsibilities, overtime, standby pay, and emergency response duties as applicable.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, NC Local Government Retirement System (LGERS), paid time off, and training opportunities