Laboratory Technician

**Position Status**:Full-Time Temporary (This position to last not later than November 28, 2025)
**Department**:Water Services
**Employee Group**:Teamsters Local 31
**Location**:Lake City Operations Centre
**Salary Range/ Wage Rate**: PG T22 $2,837.65 - $3,340.08 bi-weekly

**Our Water Services Department is seeking a Laboratory Technician who will be an important member of the technical team working on water, wastewater and receiving water matrixes using established microbiological methods and techniques to ensure compliance of quality control standards. This Monday to Friday position is required to work in the Microbiology Laboratory located at Lake City Operations Centre.**

**You are: A self-motivated, fast learner with experience working in a busy microbiology laboratory. You are a strong team player and adaptable to changing working environments.**

**This role**:

- Performs a wide variety of the routine and standardized microbiological and physical testing required of the Laboratory on soil, water, sewage and waste disposal samples; checks test results against established norms and refers unusual results to a superior; organizes order of daily personal workload to meet pre-determined schedules and priorities.
- Performs all chemical and physical testing in a Microbiology Laboratory on influent, effluent, and digester sludge samples; organizes daily personal workload to meet established schedules and to accommodate special Plant process needs and Plant operating staff requests; produces, assesses and communicates laboratory test results and observations to a superior and to Plant staff; investigates, resamples, or re-analyzes to check and confirm unusual test results, ensures that plant upsets and permit infractions are brought to the attention of a superior and the Plant manager and performs any required extra testing to monitor problems.
- Performs routine bacteriological testing in the Microbiology Laboratory on drinking and receiving water samples and sewage; prepares, plants and transfers samples, confirms presence and type of bacteria following established laboratory practices and methods, and alerts a superior when test results are unusual or if interpretation is in doubt.
- Performs field sampling work related to the work of the Microbiology Laboratories.
- Prepares manual or computerized calculations, worksheets, statistics and other data and material related to the work; prepares standards and reagents, dispenses media, and maintains, operates and calibrates laboratory apparatus as required.
- Performs non-routine Laboratory tests, analyzes unusual samples, and operates complex Laboratory equipment under the direction of a superior.
- Assists a superior in carrying out special projects by collecting samples, conducting laboratory tests and preparing related data and graphs, as directed.
- May assist a superior in answering routine telephone calls from the public and in training new technical staff and liaises with internal contacts such as inspectional staff and Sewage Treatment Plant operating staff to exchange routine information on specific samples, tests or test results.
- Participates in general laboratory cleaning and disinfection activities.
- Performs related work as required.

**To be successful, you have**:

- University Degree in Microbiology and no related experience required or, an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- Thorough knowledge of standard laboratory physical, chemical and bacteriological analytical methods and procedures related to air, soil, water and waste disposal pollution control samples.
- Considerable knowledge of the laboratory testing and field sampling schedules, methods and priorities related to the work.
- Some knowledge of the Waste Management Act and of the functions of the M.V.R.D. as applied to water/sewage/air quality.
- Some knowledge of special test procedures to analyze unusual samples or to solve unusual or complex test problems.
- Some knowledge of complex laboratory instrumentation and of sewage treatment principles.
- Ability to perform a variety of routine chemical, physical and bacteriological tests and analyses, and to prepare and maintain manual and computerized calculations, data and material related to the work.
- Ability to perform non-routine laboratory tests, to analyze unusual samples, and to operate complex instrumentation under the direction of a superior.
- Ability to perform field sampling work involving physical activity and effort in all weather conditions.
- Ability to recognize unusual lab test results, to investigate, conduct further sampling and analysis for confirmation and to inform superior and plant personnel regarding same.
- Ability to assist a superior in carrying out routine aspects of special projects, in answering routine telephone requests from the public and in training new staff.
- Ability to liaise with internal contacts to exchange routine information on specific tests and samples.
- Ability to