Technician I

Technician I (Biological)

**Job Number**:2975

**Job Type**: Full-Time
**Temp Contract Length**: Up to 13 months
**Location**: 100 Maple Grove Rd - Laboratory
**Job Category**: Other
**Number of Positions**:1
**Department**: Biological
**Division**: Engineering and Environmental Services
**Hours of Work**: 35. Monday - Friday 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
**Union**: CUPE 1883
**Grade**: CUPE 1883 Grade 011
**Salary Range**: $37.47 - $42.44 per hour
**Posting Date**:June 12, 2025

**About Us**

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

- Taking only what we need
- Leaving some for others
- Keeping the dish clean
- This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
- Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.
- Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

**The Role**
- Provides microbiological evaluation of drinking water, ground water, wastewater, surface water and liquid sludge to ensure compliance with current drinking water legislation and the Region's water and environmental protection policies.**Duties/Responsibilities**
- Analyzes water samples for microbial organisms (e.g., Total Coliforms, Background Bacteria, Heterotrophic Bacteria, E.coli, Microcystin, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand (CBOD)), and other biological parameters, as required.
- Performs bacteriological analyses on Waterloo Region drinking water samples to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. Immediately informs the Senior Microbiologist if adverse results are detected, in compliance with notification procedures. Directly relays information to stakeholders, as required in absence of Supervisor (e.g., during evening and weekend shifts).
- Analyzes wastewater and liquid sludge samples from the wastewater treatment plants to ensure acceptability for disposal and conformance with the existing Ministry standards, Nutrient Management Act, and Certificates of Approval.
- Follows testing procedures and guidelines to evaluate and analyze industrial wastewater and storm water discharges for compliance with the Regional Sewer Use By-Law.
- Analyzes performance evaluation samples provided by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation (CALA) containing analyte concentrations known to CALA but not the Section.
- Performs bacteriological confirmatory tests to verify test results and determine quality and accuracy of test results.
- Analyses evidentiary samples, according to policies and procedures (e.g., for use in legal action in cases of non-compliance with the Region's Sewer Use by-law).
- Performs analysis and reports results in other EE&LS laboratory Sections, as required.
- Troubleshoots, calibrates and performs routine maintenance on analytical instruments (e.g., microscopes, biological safety cabinets, water purification systems, balances, incubators, pH meters), as assigned.
- Prepares, sterilizes, and disinfects equipment (e.g., pipettes, dilution blanks). Prepares supplies and equipment for field/external personnel, and advises regarding special handling procedures.
- Treats and disposes of lab chemical/biological wastes generated during analysis.
- Maintains pure and healthy bacterial control cultures. Ensures cultures are sub-cultured weekly and quarterly on appropriate media and stored under specific conditions.
- Assists in invoicing for the Section by producing summaries of samples received/testing required.
- Prepares various media (selective and non-selective), reagents, and solutions to perform required analyses and uses various types of membrane filtration and confirmatory procedures. Carries out quality control procedures on media, reagents, and solutions, and ensures procedural compliance.
- Prepares detailed documentation of analytical data (quality control data, final results generation) to satisfy the lab’s quality system requirements.
- Assists to research, develop, and validate new analytical procedures under guidance of the Senior Microbiologist/Technologist (Biological).
Performs regular maintenance and minor servicing of laboratory equipment and instruments used by self and others (approximate value of $100,000) to maintain in good working condition. Maintains an inventory of equipment, chemicals, and supplies and advises the supervisor/Techno