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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Lab Assistant

💰 $35,000 - $55,000

EnvironmentalLaboratoryWater QualityAnalytical Chemistry

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Lab Assistant supports routine and specialized water and wastewater laboratory testing to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and internal quality systems. This role performs sample receipt and chain-of-custody management, prepares reagents and standards, executes analytical methods (physical, chemical and microbiological), maintains instrumentation, and documents results in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). The Water Lab Assistant works closely with senior analysts, laboratory managers, and field technicians to deliver accurate data for regulatory reporting, operations, and client needs while following ISO/IEC 17025 / NELAP guidelines and Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Laboratory Technician (general)
  • Field Sampling Technician
  • Environmental Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Water Lab Analyst
  • Environmental Laboratory Technologist
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist (Laboratory)
  • Laboratory Supervisor / Lab Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Field Sampling Specialist
  • Environmental Compliance Technician
  • Instrumentation/Calibration Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Receive, log, and prioritize water and wastewater samples according to established chain-of-custody procedures; verify sample IDs, preservation requirements, and holding times and enter metadata into LIMS to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.
  • Prepare standard solutions, calibration curves, reagents, and blanks following Standard Methods and EPA procedures; perform concentration calculations, serial dilutions, and verify reagent stability and expiration.
  • Perform routine and non-routine chemical analyses including but not limited to pH, conductivity, turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), alkalinity, hardness, residual chlorine, fluoride, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and metals following EPA and Standard Methods protocols.
  • Conduct microbiological analyses for potable and wastewater samples using standard methods such as membrane filtration, heterotrophic plate counts, Colilert/Quanti-Tray (total coliform & E. coli), and perform incubations, colony counts, and confirmation tests while maintaining aseptic technique.
  • Operate and maintain analytical instrumentation including spectrophotometers, UV-Vis colorimeters, atomic absorption (AA), ICP/ICP-MS, GC, TOC analyzers, and dissolved oxygen meters; perform routine calibrations, verification standards, troubleshooting and document instrument logs.
  • Execute EPA-accepted methods for volatile and semi-volatile organics, priority pollutants and emerging contaminants when applicable; follow EPA method QA criteria, spike/recovery procedures and detection limit verifications.
  • Perform sample preparation techniques: digestion (acid/heat), filtration, extraction (SPE, liquid-liquid), preservation (acidification, refrigeration), and matrix-specific pre-treatment to meet method requirements and detection limits.
  • Maintain quality control by running blanks, duplicates, matrix spikes, laboratory control samples and calibration checks; evaluate QC results, flag out-of-spec data, and initiate corrective action and documentation per QA protocols.
  • Enter analytical results, QC notes, and qualifier codes into LIMS accurately and promptly; prepare preliminary data packages for review by senior analysts or project managers and assist with final report generation.
  • Participate in standard operating procedure (SOP) writing, updates and method validation activities; compare new methods to historical data and assist in implementation and staff training of revised procedures.
  • Support internal and external proficiency testing (PT) and interlaboratory comparisons, including sample handling, analysis, documentation and root-cause investigation of non-conforming PT results.
  • Conduct routine housekeeping, glassware preparation, autoclaving, waste segregation and disposal (chemically contaminated and biohazardous) to meet federal, state, and local regulations and company environmental health and safety policies.
  • Assist with onsite field sampling for drinking water, distribution systems, surface water, groundwater, and industrial discharges; collect representative grab and composite samples, follow chain-of-custody, and ensure correct sample preservation and transport.
  • Monitor and maintain laboratory inventory; order consumables, standards, gases, and PPE and coordinate with vendors to ensure uninterrupted testing capability and cost-effective procurement.
  • Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, lot numbers, calibration certificates and training records; ensure documentation meets ISO 17025 / NELAP / state accreditor record retention requirements.
  • Provide training and mentoring for junior technicians and temporary staff on analytical techniques, safety practices, LIMS entry and QA/QC expectations; cross-train on multiple methods and instruments to ensure operational flexibility.
  • Assist laboratory management during audits and inspections by regulatory agencies (state environmental agencies, EPA) and accreditation bodies; prepare requested documentation, support corrective actions and implement audit findings.
  • Evaluate and troubleshoot analytical anomalies (matrix interferences, instrument drift, contamination events), perform root cause analysis and implement corrective/preventative measures with documentation per the quality system.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimize workflows, reduce turnaround times (TAT), lower costs, and enhance data quality, including participation in Lean or Six Sigma projects when available.
  • Ensure strict compliance with health and safety protocols including PPE, chemical hygiene, spill response, emergency procedures and hazardous materials handling and disposal; maintain MSDS/SDS knowledge and hazardous waste manifests.
  • Prepare client- and regulatory-ready reports, summaries, and chain-of-custody documentation; communicate testing schedules, TAT expectations and results to project managers, field staff and external clients as required.
  • Help develop and implement method detection limits (MDL) studies, instrument detection limit (IDL) verification and limit of quantitation (LOQ) tracking to support method qualification and reporting decisions.
  • Participate in environmental monitoring campaigns and research support tasks such as sample archiving, data compilation, and assisting in method development or pilot studies for new analytes.
  • Maintain confidentiality of client data and demonstrate professional communication with internal teams, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders while resolving sample or data-related disputes efficiently.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with basic data analysis and trend reporting to support laboratory managers and environmental engineers in interpreting water quality results and operational impacts.
  • Support scheduling logistics for routine sampling programs and coordinate with field teams to optimize sample pickup routes and TAT.
  • Serve as back-up point-of-contact for emergency sampling requests and after-hours sample intake during storm events, spills or regulatory incidents.
  • Contribute to training materials and SOP checklists to streamline onboarding of new lab technicians and ensure consistent method performance across shifts.
  • Help maintain and update the laboratory’s digital record systems (LIMS, shared drives) and assist IT or vendors with LIMS configuration and user permissions as needed.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proven experience with Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and EPA analytical methods (e.g., EPA 200.7, EPA 602/624/625 series, 1603/1604 for microbiology, 524/525 for VOCs).
  • Proficient operation and routine maintenance of lab instrumentation: ICP/ICP-MS, Atomic Absorption (AA), GC/GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, TOC analyzers, and calorimetric/colorimetric equipment.
  • Hands-on experience with LIMS systems for sample receipt, result entry, QC flags, and report generation (e.g., LabWare, STARLIMS, SampleManager).
  • Strong QA/QC skills: preparing and evaluating blanks, duplicates, spike recoveries, calibration checks, control charts, and documenting corrective actions.
  • Competence in microbiological techniques: aseptic technique, membrane filtration, Colilert/Quanti-Tray methodologies and incubation/colony enumeration.
  • Laboratory calculations and chemistry fundamentals: dilution series, concentration conversions, mg/L/ppb/ppm conversions, molarity and stoichiometry for reagent prep.
  • Knowledge of laboratory accreditation requirements (ISO/IEC 17025, NELAP) and regulatory reporting for drinking water and wastewater compliance.
  • Skilled in sample preparation: digestion (acidic, Kjeldahl), filtration, solid phase extraction (SPE), and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE).
  • Familiarity with laboratory safety standards / hazardous waste handling and regulatory programs (OSHA, DOT shipping of samples, EPA hazardous waste rules).
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel for QC charts and calculations, Word for SOPs and reporting) and basic data management tools.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in analytical work, documentation and data entry.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for report writing, SOP updates and cross-functional coordination.
  • Problem-solving aptitude and methodical troubleshooting approach for instrument or data anomalies.
  • Time management and ability to prioritize multiple testing workflows to meet client and regulatory turnaround times.
  • Team-oriented mindset with experience training or mentoring junior staff and collaborating with field technicians and laboratory colleagues.
  • Reliability, professionalism, and ethical handling of sensitive client and regulatory data.
  • Flexibility to work rotating shifts, overtime, or after-hours emergency sampling when needed.
  • Continuous learning orientation and willingness to adopt new methods, instrumentation and quality systems.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with 1–3 years of laboratory or field sampling experience; or
  • Associate degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or related technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate or Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Microbiology, or related discipline.
  • Formal coursework or certificates in analytical chemistry, environmental sampling, or laboratory quality systems.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science / Environmental Technology
  • Chemistry (Analytical, Environmental)
  • Microbiology / Biology
  • Water/Wastewater Technology
  • Laboratory Science / Instrumentation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–4 years (entry to early-career); many organizations hire candidates with 1–3 years of relevant lab or field experience.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years experience in an environmental or municipal water laboratory performing chemical and microbiological analyses.
  • Prior experience with LIMS, EPA/State reporting, and working under ISO 17025 or NELAP-accredited quality systems.
  • Certifications or training such as state water lab certification, HAZWOPER (40-hr preferred), or certified lab technician credentials are a plus.
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