Laboratory Technologist 2 - City of Ottawa, Ottawa

AI Summary

The City of Ottawa is seeking a Laboratory Technologist 2 in Ottawa, ON, for a full-time temporary role within its Infrastructure & Water Services Department. This position involves performing routine laboratory analyses on various matrices, including drinking water, solid wastes, and effluents, following approved procedures. Key duties include verifying and transferring results to the Laboratory Information Management System. Top requirements include a three-year college program in chemistry or microbiology, along with at least three years of experience in environmental analytical chemistry or microbiology, and comprehensive knowledge of laboratory safety and water quality regulations.

About the Opportunity

This full-time temporary Laboratory Technologist 2 position with the City of Ottawa, located in Ottawa, ON, is an integral part of the Infrastructure & Water Services Department, specifically within Water Linear & Customer Services. The successful candidate will contribute to the essential laboratory services that provide critical testing for drinking water, solid wastes, effluents, receiving waters, and ground waters. This role is crucial in safeguarding public health and environmental quality through diligent analytical work. The incumbent will be responsible for performing routine analyses on diverse matrices, strictly adhering to approved or accepted methods and standard procedures. A key aspect of this role involves the accurate approval, verification, and transfer of analytical results into the Laboratory Information Management System, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for various city services. The work directly supports the city's commitment to maintaining high standards for its water infrastructure and environmental monitoring programs.

Key Responsibilities and Expertise

The Laboratory Technologist 2 will apply extensive knowledge of analytical chemistry and microbiology theory and practice, particularly as it relates to environmental pollution. This includes hands-on experience with automated analytical procedures such as inductively coupled plasma spectrometry, segmented flow auto analysers, ion chromatography, and automated titrations. A strong understanding of analytical quality control and quality assurance theory and practice is paramount to ensure the reliability of all laboratory results. Furthermore, the role demands comprehensive knowledge of water and wastewater sampling, preservation, and storage techniques, alongside fundamentals of water and wastewater treatment. Adherence to the laboratory safety code of practice and working knowledge of the Occupational Health & Safety Act are essential. The position also requires a complete understanding of the Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act and its regulations, including the legal responsibilities for reporting adverse conditions, and familiarity with ISO 17025 accreditation requirements.

Technical Skills and Professional Requirements

Candidates for this Laboratory Technologist 2 role must possess a minimum of three years of experience in environmental analytical chemistry or microbiology, building upon a three-year community college program in chemistry, microbiology, or a related field. Desired experience includes proficiency with advanced equipment such as inductively coupled plasma spectrometers, ion chromatographs, segmented flow auto analysers, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers. The ability to work effectively with various computer software, from Microsoft Office applications to complex Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), is crucial for day-to-day operations and data reporting. Essential competencies include performing a range of laboratory tests, operating specialized equipment, and accurately reporting data with attention to quality control flags and potential interferences. The City of Ottawa emphasizes the importance of health and safety training, as required by legislation, ensuring a safe working environment for all laboratory personnel. This role requires initiative, reliability, and the capacity to organize workload while working effectively with minimal supervision.