Operations Technician III - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation
: Job Details :

Howard County:Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.Howard County Government:Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.What are we looking for?We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:* We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.* We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!* We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.* As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION:Skilled laboratory testing and analytical work at the Little Patuxent Wastewater Treatment Plant.STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$23.17 - $26.14$48,194 - $54,371CLASS DESCRIPTION:Performs advanced, technical level operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work involves the collection, testing and reporting of water and wastewater samples. Maintains and calibrates instruments, prepares chemical reagents and bacteriological media, operates testing equipment, completes spreadsheets and submits required reports, and maintains quality control of samples and the testing laboratory.Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Operates instrumentation and conducts analytical tests on wastewater, drinking water and samples from the wastewater treatment process.Performs wet-chemistry and microbiological testing.Assembles and calibrates analytical instrumentation.Performs and reports quality control testing for all laboratory analyses.Collects daily samples of treatment plant influent, partially treated wastewater, sludge, effluent and other byproducts of the wastewater treatment process.Prepares chemical reagents, standards, and bacteriological media, stains, and other test solutions routinely used in laboratory.Maintains test result and quality control records; prepares data sheets and spreadsheets.Prepares reports for the Environmental Protection Agency, Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, engineering consultants, and Howard County Agencies: Bureau of Utilities and Bureau of Environmental Services.Cleans, repairs, maintains and stores laboratory instruments and equipment.Maintains service records on laboratory instrumentation and equipment.Maintains laboratory supply inventory.Places direct orders for supplies and equipment.Assists with the process control section's responsibilities as needed. Examples of such responsibilities: Process Control; Industrial Waste Monitoring; EngineeringAssists with the administration section's responsibilities as needed.Is responsible for adherence to County and plant policies and procedures.May direct plant operators and other plant personnel in performing routine tests.A Laboratory Technician assumes the responsibility as lead worker for all laboratory personnel in the absence of the Laboratory Supervisor.This position is emergency essential, and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or then when an emergency situation arises.High School Diploma or GED and four (4) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Some college science courses or related subjects at the college level.One (1) year experience with professional laboratory work.A working knowledge of Excel spreadsheet manipulation.Ability to work closely with the other laboratory technicians as a team.Ability to work some weekends on a rotating schedule.Ability to learn microscopy.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk or hear; and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is routinely exposed to bacteria inherent in raw sewage. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:Ability to read and interpret documents such as scientific procedure manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, and safety rules. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, yields, and volume. Ability to work with scientific units of measure. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload. Strong organizational skills. Ability to learn to recognize deviations in the wastewater treatment process through field observations and the interpretation of laboratory data.Class C Maryland Driver's License or equivalent issued by state of residence.Within 30 days of employment: Certification as a microbiology analyst from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Maryland Department of the Environment certification to collect drinking water samples.