Laboratory Technician Co-op

Water demands are increasing in the Tampa Bay Area largely due to population growth, and the Tampa Bay Water Laboratory department supports meeting those demands and providing drinking water to Tampa Bay Water’s six member governments.   

This is a learning position that helps current staff utilize analytical instrumentation and techniques to perform standard, well-documented testing of drinking water and source water, as necessary to maintain compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements. You will help perform necessary duties to keep the methods in this section certified. The co-op will also assist with evaluating results and entering data into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Finally, the selected candidate complies with the strict adherence to Tampa Bay Water’s Laboratory Water Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) Manual.

The Laboratory co-op student will work under the direct supervision of one of the Senior Scientists under the guidance of the Laboratory Manager.  The co-op student will have the opportunity to perform a variety of entry level, professional, research, and laboratory-related tasks that will support the development of laboratory projects.  

The Laboratory co-op position is an opportunity for a student to learn about water utility operations. It is a temporary, part-time, office position located in Land O Lakes, Florida. The student will work a maximum of 20 hours per week.  

Chemistry Section: 

• Performs wet chemical analyses of alkalinity and ammonia using meters and probes, color by visual comparison or discrete analyzer, total dissolved solids and total suspended solids using gravimetric analysis, total organic carbon by UV infrared analyzer, and odor by olfactory comparison.
• Must achieve acceptable results for semi-annual Proficiency Tests.
• Performs required quality control checks before entering results into LIMS.
• Performs routine maintenance and troubleshooting on instrumentation.
• Communicates with field technicians to assure the proper samples are collected and delivered.
• Logs in samples.
• Responsible for periodically reporting analytical results to member governments.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of management and other colleagues and demonstrate initiative, mature judgment, customer service orientation, and ability to anticipate needs of the organization.
• Works flexible hours as needed.
• Observes Safety Policies and Procedures in accordance with the Agency’s Safety Program
• Performs related work as directed.

Biology/Microbiology Section: 

• When assigned to the biology/microbiology laboratory section, conducts qualitative and quantitative analysis of drinking water and raw water using State of Florida-approved methods from EPA or Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, performing the analysis of total coliform bacteria (including E. coli) using COLILERT®, membrane plate filtration, TECTA medium and instrument, heterotrophic bacteria using R2A and plate count agar, algae counting using a Zeiss Axiovert 40C inverted microscope, and algal toxins using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
• Assists with microbiology analysis to help with reporting to FDEP
• Assists with the completion of required QA/QC testing.
• Learns LIMS and helps log samples.
• Must achieve acceptable results for semi-annual Proficiency Testing.
• Assists with required quality control checks before entering data into LIMS.
• Conducts routine air bacteriological density testing to ensure analyses are conducted in an adequately sterile environment and submits explanatory report when regulations are not met. Determines valid and invalid samples, and the accuracy of bacteriological results.
• Conducts all required quarterly, monthly, and pre use testing on laboratory reagent water.
• Communicates with field technicians to assure the proper samples are collected and delivered.
• Performs calibrations in accordance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards, and generates the required temperature distribution reports and diagrams for all ovens, water baths, and refrigerators in the Microbiology laboratory.
• Maintains required temperature log with twice daily measurements for all incubators, spore ovens, water baths, and refrigerators in the Microbiology section.
• Performs routine maintenance and troubleshooting on instrumentation and equipment used in the Microbiology Section.
• Maintains detailed maintenance and calibration logs for all equipment including but not limited to microscopes, colony counters, pH and conductivity meters, spectrophotometers, water baths, incubators, refrigerators, and autoclaves.
• Observes Safety Policies and Procedures in accordance with the Agency’s Safety Program.
• Perform related work as directed.

Disaster Service Worker: Employees of Tampa Bay Water are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee may be assigned activities that promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property, either at the Agency or within the local or their own community.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Organized, analytical, and detail oriented.

• Familiar with Microsoft Office applications (i.e. Excel, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, etc.).

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

EDUCATION REQUIRED:

• Actively enrolled and pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree.
• Have completed two years of college with a minimum of 10 hours of combined coursework in the Physical, Chemical or Biological sciences.

Preferred Education :

• Have completed 20 hours of combined coursework in the Physical, Chemical or Biological sciences

MINIMUM STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Physical Abilities:  Tasks involve the ability [to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station].

Sensory Abilities:  Some tasks require visual or olfactory perception and discrimination. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Requirements:  Tasks may risk some exposure to temperature, odor, dusts or pollen.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.