Lab Assistant - Temporary

Laboratory Assistant II

Teamsters Local 31
Location: Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, Delta
Salary Range/ Wage Rate: PG T17 $34.25- $40.26 hourly
Our Liquid Waste Services Department is seeking a Laboratory Assistant II who will assist in the day to day operation of the Metro Vancouver Chemistry Laboratory. Responsibilities include working in a laboratory and maintaining cleanliness and orderly arrangement of simple laboratory instruments and labware.
Related laboratory work experience would be an asset.
Collects wastewater, drinking water or receiving and source water samples on a daily basis from a variety of stations throughout the Metro Vancouver Regional District; visits sample sites according to schedule and aseptically fills pre labeled bottles according to prescribed sampling routines; may carry out specific projects such as Combined Sewer Overflow sampling; Drives a Metro Vancouver corporate vehicle throughout the Greater Vancouver area to the sample stations and locations; Plans work schedules, modifies routes and sampling areas to accommodate staff absences, sampling projects and other temporary changes to the work of the unit as required.
calibrates same and takes and records related measures in the field; fixes samples with chemicals and delivers them to the laboratory for analysis for dissolved oxygen; enters related data into the Laboratory Information Management System; maintains and updates a section of a detailed field sampling operations manual.
Delivers samples to Metro Vancouver laboratory to meet prescribed deadlines, makes periodic assigned trips to deliver samples to other laboratories, and prepares bottles, work sheets and other related items for collection trips.
Maintains cleanliness and orderly arrangement of laboratory and field equipment and supplies related to the work; May provide orientation to new or temporary staff as required.
Completion of Grade 12 with courses in science; related laboratory work experience would be an asset; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Sound knowledge of various routines, schedules, procedures, apparatus and safety precautions related to the field sampling and collection of water samples throughout the G.Ability to use and calibrate specific fragile field test kits and equipment such as a dissolved oxygen meter and automatic sampler, and to exercise care in handling collection bottles and additive chemicals required for chlorine residual and dissolved oxygen test kits.
Ability to drive a corporate vehicle throughout the Metro Vancouver area to sample stations, to modify routes and sampling areas to accommodate temporary changes to the work of the unit, and to follow routes and schedules and to perform routine maintenance of the vehicle.
Ability to walk over distances, to lift and carry cases of bottles, to exert sufficient physical effort to remove and replace obstructions to sample points and to check turbidity buoy probes, to exercise agility to collect water samples, and to perform these activities in all weather conditions.
Ability to maintain records and to follow aseptic procedures for the collection of water samples.
Ability to adhere to schedules and procedures, to deliver samples on time, to prepare bottles, work sheets and other related items for collection trips, and to maintain cleanliness and orderliness of laboratory and field equipment related to the work.
Good mechanical aptitude and manual dexterity.
Metro Vancouver employees proudly serve the region and demonstrate the behaviours and attributes of six leadership competencies: Accountability, Adaptability, Building and Nurturing Relationships, Communication, Continuous Learning, and Strategic Thinking and Action.
We strive to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce that is reflective of the region we serve. Learn more about our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion .