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Wastewater Lab Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Environmental Manager

Kingsport, TN ยท On-site

$111K - $115K/yr

Manages all aspects of the on-site Wastewater lab. * Identifies trends in recurring environmental incidents and facilitates teams to address. Leverages best practices set forth across the Domtar mill ...

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Wastewater Lab information

What is a wastewater lab?

A Wastewater Lab is a specialized laboratory where scientists and technicians analyze water samples from wastewater treatment plants to monitor and ensure water quality and regulatory compliance. The lab performs tests to detect contaminants, bacteria, and chemical levels in wastewater before and after treatment. These analyses help protect public health and the environment by ensuring that treated water meets safety standards before being released or reused.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a wastewater laboratory technician?

To thrive as a Wastewater Laboratory Technician, you need a solid background in chemistry, biology, and environmental science, typically supported by an associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with laboratory instruments (such as spectrophotometers and pH meters), standard methods for water analysis, and sometimes state certification are essential. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure accurate testing, compliance with environmental regulations, and protection of public health.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in a wastewater laboratory, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in a wastewater lab often face challenges such as handling hazardous samples, maintaining stringent quality control standards, and managing time-sensitive analyses. Ensuring accurate results requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols. Collaboration with plant operators and engineers is crucial for interpreting data and troubleshooting process issues. Regular training on new testing methods and regulatory standards also helps lab staff stay up-to-date and maintain compliance.

What is the difference between Wastewater Lab vs Wastewater Treatment Operator?

AspectWastewater LabWastewater Treatment Operator
CertificationsLab certifications, such as EPA or state-specific lab certificationsOperator licenses or certifications, such as state wastewater operator licenses
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, analyzing samples and conducting testsField and plant environment, managing treatment processes
Job FocusTesting water quality, analyzing data, ensuring complianceOperating and maintaining treatment equipment, process control

While both roles are essential in wastewater management, Wastewater Lab specialists focus on analyzing samples and ensuring water quality through testing, whereas Wastewater Treatment Operators manage the treatment processes on-site. Both require relevant certifications and work in related environments, but their daily tasks differ significantly.

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Wastewater Lab jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Wastewater Lab job openings:

Infographic showing various Wastewater Lab job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, and 13% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory Technician

City of Clarksville

Clarksville, TN โ€ข On-site

$53K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

Description GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB This is the first of three levels in the Water/Wastewater Treatment Plant Laboratory series.Incumbents perform and interpret lab results. Responsibilities may include maintaining a quality assurance plan; interpreting lab results; writing and updating lab procedures; maintaining lab records; calculating chemical dosages, chemical usage, flow rates, detention times, and other similar calculations; and performing the duties of the lower level. This is a technical and skilled position collecting and analyzing samples ensuring overall water quality in the Clarksville Water System or Clarksville Wastewater System meets or exceeds all relative water quality regulatory standards

Example of Duties SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential Functions: Performs sample analyses utilizing highly technical laboratory equipment; interprets lab results which includes performing routine laboratory tests of applicable samples using standard laboratory methods; drawing conclusions; interpreting results; analyzing findings; calculating chemical dosages, chemical usage, flow rates, and detention times; writes and updates lab procedures as necessary; and performing related duties. Collects, preserves, and disposes of lab samples following established guidelines, which may include collecting samples from applicable sites; handling preserved or hazardous samples; determining acceptable hold times; disposing of samples based on sample types and applicable preservatives; and/or, performing other related activities. Cleans and organizes lab facilities and equipment; monitors and maintains applicable equipment, supplies, information technology items, and/or inventory; orders equipment and supplies; stocks materials, supplies, and products; and maintains lab cleanliness.

Prepares and maintains various records related to laboratory activities, ensuring data accuracy and integrity following all city, state and federal standards and regulations; notifies supervisor(s) of results indicative of potential impact to the water quality. Assists in development and implementation of water quality monitoring plans, standard operating procedures, and other plans as required; maintains the standards for laboratory certification by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Performs other related work as required.

Typical Qualifications MINIMUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING Education and Experience: High school graduate or GED equivalent. Two (2) years of experience in a lab environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the job's essential duties.

License and Certifications: Possession of a valid Class D driver's license. Must obtain Grade IV Water Treatment/Wastewater Plant Operator Certification (respective to plant assignment) within 24-30 months of assignment. Must obtain Grade II Water Distribution Operator Certification (respective to plant assignment) within 12 months after obtaining Grade IV Certification.

Supplemental Information MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS REQUIRED Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Chemical and biological testing principles. Basic analysis methods. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) principles.

Laboratory principles and practices in assigned area of responsibility. Safe work methods and procedures. Mathematical principles.

Applicable laboratory equipment. Hazardous waste handling procedures. Recordkeeping principles.

Basic inventory management principles. Computers and related software applications. Skill in: Performing basic laboratory tests and analyses.

Collecting applicable samples. Handling hazardous waste and materials. Maintaining laboratory records.

Performing mathematical calculations. Monitoring inventory and supply levels. Using a computer and related software applications.

Maintaining operational records. Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. Crawling: Moving about on hands, knees, hands, and feet.

Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips. Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination sound.

Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees. Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Mental Acuity: Making rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes. Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion. Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something steady to thrust forward, downward, or outward.

Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers. Speaking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. It occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Visual ability 1: sufficient to perform an activity like preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading. Visual ability 2: sufficient to include color, depth perception, and field vision.

Visual ability 3: sufficient to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or structures. Visual ability 4: sufficient to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, both day and night. Visual ability 5: sufficient to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines; using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.