Laboratory Technician

Salary : $69,555.20 - $91,104.00 Annually
Location : City Hall - 300 North Coast Highway - Oceanside, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2627-38
Department: Water Utilities
Opening Date: 09/17/2026
Closing Date: 10/16/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

About the position
The Laboratory is seeking a scientifically-minded individual who can quickly learn the entry-level testing and data entry requirements of the Laboratory. This person will conduct the daily and sometimes repetitive tasks of operating and maintain the basic laboratory function. Your ability to quickly adapt to the specific needs and pace of water and wastewater operations as well as assimilating into the team will be essential.

The Laboratory Technician will rotate duties with the other two Technicians on a scheduled frequency. Technicians will rotate between solids analyses, TSS/CBOD testing and microbiological media preparation.
You should be excited about this opportunity because you will...

• Excel in Laboratory environment and get daily hands-on experience in performing physical, chemical and biological tests
• Gain valuable insight to the inner workings of a Water and Wastewater Laboratory and overall knowledge of Water Utility operations and concepts
• Assist more experienced lab personnel in complex tasks
• Gain independence in your daily tasks as you master your responsibilities
• Hone relevant and practical skills that pertain to your education in chemistry, microbiology or related fields

If this sounds like you, keep reading!
Examples of Duties
Performs physical, chemical and biological tests and calculates results for various samples taken throughout the wastewater treatment process; submits results of daily tests in written form to operations; prepares and autoclaves cultured media before disposal; performs quality control tests to assure accuracy of laboratory analysis; calibrates equipment used in testing; creates and maintains forms and logs for daily use in testing and quality control analysis; assists in daily lab maintenance and operations including the preparation of solutions used in testing; cleans and sterilizes glassware used in daily testing; collects final samples; assists other lab personnel as needed; schedules sample collections; assists in the organization of the lab work load; writes reports as needed; inputs data in computer; and performs related duties and responsibilities as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Laboratory equipment and instruments
• Chemical, biological and microbiological testing procedures;
• Laboratory safety procedures; and
• Basic math, including decimals.

Ability to:

• Use associated laboratory equipment in a safe manner;
• Perform routine laboratory testing procedures;
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships;
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Work varied hours and independently without close supervision;
• Read documents written in standard English text;
• Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others;
• Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Experience and Training Guidelines
Experience: One year of experience in environmental testing is desirable.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in chemistry, microbiology or a related field.
License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions: Laboratory environment; exposure to waste and infectious materials; work in or with water.
Physical Conditions: Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing for prolonged periods of time; heavy or moderate lifting.
Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include a written exam, oral exam, and/or skills assessment to further assess job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the Eligibility List for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting) and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.
RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION PACKAGE.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS BULLETIN DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT. ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.
CITY OF OCEANSIDE

Oceanside City Employees' Association

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits
Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)

• Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
• Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
• Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options

• Buy additional Service Retirement Credit prior to membership
• Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
• Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical/Vision: (First of the month following 60 days)

• Kaiser plan provided through Teamster Medical Trust. For more information please contact #877-214-8928

Dental: (First of the Month following hire)

• Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
• Delta Care USA (DHMO)

Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.

• Available to all members of your household
• 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
• Self-service support online or by phone

Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:

• First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
• Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
• All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

• After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:

• 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.
Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:

• Premiums are determined by age
• Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
• Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
• Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:

• Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
• Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
• Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower:

• 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000

MetLife Legal Plan

• Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.

GotZoom Student Loan Relief

• Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529

• An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year

Leave Benefits
Vacation:

1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours
6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours
16 + years: 8.19
Maximum accrual:

• 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
• 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:

• New Years' Day
• Martin Luther King Jr Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year

Sick Leave:
Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited
Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:

Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 50% payment in lieu of accrued sick leave provided such employee has used 3 work days (maximum of 36 hours) or less of sick leave during the calendar year and has a minimum of 100 hours in their sick leave bank prior to the cash out request.
Sick Leave pay off at separation:

• Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:

• Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
• Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval

Certification Pay

The City will provide certification pay up to $1.00 per hour for employees utilizing designated certifications in the performance of their duties.

Bilingual and Notary Pay
Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees

Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees

Uniforms

The City will provide uniforms for any employee required by the City to wear such uniform in the course of their regular job duties.

Commercial Driver License
The City will reimburse the application cost of Commercial Class A or B Driver License to full-time employees in certain classifications.

Safety Shoes
The City will provide reimbursement up to $200 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.

Term of Compensation Plan
Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026
This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program specifics.

01

Please select the highest educational level you have completed.

• Master's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Associate of Arts Degree
• Some College
• Current College Student
• None of the above

02

Is your degree or major in an area of science such as Biology, Chemistry, Microbiology or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a Grade I Lab Analyst certification issued by CWEA? (if yes, please attach a copy of the certification to your application).

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess municipal environmental lab experience?

• Yes
• No

05

Have you completed coursework relating to water and wastewater treatment or laboratory analysis? If yes, please list the name(s) of the school, the course(s) taken, the grade(s) received and the course completion date(s). Please attach an unofficial transcript to your application.
06

Please describe any experience working in a lab setting. Indicate the number of years of experience working in a lab.
07

How many years of experience do you have in water or wastewater laboratory?

• None
• One year
• Two years
• Three or more years

08

Please describe your experience in a water or wastewater environmental lab, performing chemical and microbiological analyses.
09

Please describe your experience in preparing and submitting laboratory test reports.
10

Please list the computer programs, including data management software, you have experince using. Indicate your level of proficiency for each program as: Basic, Intermediate or Advanced.
11

The work schedule for this position will be as follows:9/80 work schedule. 7:00AM - 4:30PM or 7:30AM-5:00PM Monday - Friday, with every other Friday off. This position will be required to work one weekend per month (Saturday & Sunday, 3 hrs each day) and two holidays per year. Are you av