About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department.

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

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Position Overview

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is hiring a Laboratory Analyst (I/II/III/IV) to support municipal water and wastewater testing within the Municipal Utilities & Engineering Department. This role focuses on accurate chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses that ensure safe drinking water and compliant wastewater treatment. Multiple levels are available (entry through senior/journey), and candidates will be placed according to experience, certifications, and departmental needs.

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Salary & Employment Type

Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is offering a salary range of $63,300 – $111,679 per year.
Employment type: Full time.

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What You’ll Do

Examples of duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs chemical, bacteriological, and biological analyses of water and wastewater samples
• Record, interpret, and report laboratory results; maintain accurate logs to ensure regulatory compliance
• Prepare, standardize, and manage reagent and solution inventories
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain laboratory glassware and supplies
• Collect field and plant samples following chain-of-custody and preservation procedures
• Conduct special analyses and studies to support plant operations and process improvements
• Participate in quality control, instrument calibration, and method validation
• Assist with general laboratory operations and ad hoc projects

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Qualifications

Note: placement at I, II, III, or IV depends on experience, certifications, and departmental needs.

Laboratory Analyst I (entry level)

• Experience: Some laboratory chemical, bacteriological, or biological testing experience is desirable
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, or related field (or equivalent evaluation for degrees obtained outside the U.S.)
• Certifications: Obtain Grade I Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California‑Nevada AWWA) or Grade I Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California WEA) within one year of appointment
• Driving: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at time of hire

Laboratory Analyst II

• Experience: Two years of relevant laboratory testing experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field (or evaluated equivalent)
• Certifications: Grade II Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California‑Nevada AWWA) or Grade II Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California WEA) at time of hire
• Driving: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at time of hire

Laboratory Analyst III

• Experience: Three years of relevant laboratory testing experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field (or evaluated equivalent)
• Certifications: Grade III Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California‑Nevada AWWA) or Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California WEA) at time of hire
• Driving: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at time of hire

Laboratory Analyst IV

• Experience: Four years of relevant laboratory testing experience
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field (or evaluated equivalent)
• Certifications: Grade IV Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California‑Nevada AWWA) or Grade IV Laboratory Analyst Certificate (California WEA) at time of hire
• Driving: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License at time of hire

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Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Standard laboratory environment; frequent exposure to chemicals, wastewater, bacteria, and other biohazards
• Regular sitting, standing, walking, stooping, reaching, bending, and lifting up to 40 lbs.
• May require travel to multiple plant or field sites
• Strong attention to safety protocols, PPE use, and proper sample handling

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Required Documents & Selection Information

Candidates must demonstrate they meet minimum qualifications through documentation. Required documents include:

• Transcripts verifying a bachelor’s degree (or official equivalency evaluation for foreign degrees)
• Copies of certification(s) or documentation showing ability to obtain required Water Quality/Laboratory Analyst grades
• Current driver’s license (or evidence of ability to obtain)

All properly completed applications will be reviewed. Selection may include written, performance, and/or oral examinations. Successful candidates will be subject to a background check and post-offer medical exam (which may include drug/alcohol screening). The Confidential Client uses E-Verify; new hires must provide documentation establishing identity and authorization to work in the U.S.

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Candidate Profile (ideal)

• Detail-oriented and methodical with strong record-keeping skills
• Comfortable performing routine and specialized lab analyses under standard procedures
• Familiar with water/wastewater regulations and quality-control practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for reporting and team collaboration

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Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind.
To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.