Environmental Lab Scientist I

Job Description:

Environmental Lab Scientist I

Description

Position Description

The Environmental Services Department is recruiting for the position of Environmental Lab Scientist I. This is the first level of a series of three, responsible for conducting environmental laboratory work; sample preparation, analyses, and reporting. This is the first level of the series performing preparatory work, basic testing and analysis utilizing standard methodologies and procedures under close supervision.

Why work for the Environmental Services Laboratory?

As a member of the Science and Engineering Division within the Environmental Services Department you will be working in a state-of-the-art LEED facility conducting laboratory work essential to making informed decisions. Your work will benefit current and future generations and is necessary to support healthy neighborhoods and a thriving Puget Sound, leaving a better Tacoma for all.

Learn more about our award-winning, waterfront facility and the important work we and our partners do for the environment at https://www.urbanwaters.org/

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE IS:

• Someone who is energetic and enthusiastic about environmental laboratory work.
• Someone who works well on a team and contributes to a work culture where differences are valued, and service is a strong demonstrated value.
• Someone who performs quality lab work in a timely fashion.
• Someone able to effectively convey ideas and information orally and in writing using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the recipient.
• Someone who is committed to helping clients, partners, and coworkers succeed, while creating positive and respectful relationships with them.
• A teammate who genuinely values our mission, healthy neighborhoods, a thriving Puget Sound, and the role of sound science to inform decisions.
• Someone who is accountable for their work products, resourceful, and tech savvy.
• A person who can balance the urgent with the necessary, who is flexible, agile and able to handle a broad scope of duties.
• A coworker who embraces continuous improvement, takes initiative, ensures accuracy, and attention to details.

If this sounds like you, please apply!

The Principles that Guide Us:
Tacoma, the City of Destiny , has a workforce of dedicated, talented and open-minded employees with unique skills and perspectives. We embrace innovation and strive for excellence and community engagement in all that we do. The Principles that Guide Us, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Equity, speak to the values that we embody as City of Tacoma employees, and represent the core of our work in public service.

The duties listed below cover a broad range of activities performed by persons in the Environmental Laboratory Scientist II job classification throughout the various City of Tacoma laboratories.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Perform laboratory sample preparatory work for advanced instrumental analyses, including Cold-Vapor Mercury Analyzer Flow Injection Analyzer, Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS), Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (LC/MS-MS), and Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy/Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other methodologies and perform laboratory analysis employ various standard analytical techniques including spectrophotometry, gravimetric, colorimetric, and other bench chemistry and/or other basic analyses as appropriate. Select appropriate procedures, depending on project needs; evaluate data and provide interpretive or narrative reports.
• Sample preparatory work and analyses: sample extraction, digestion, mercury analyses, gravimetric tests.
• Follow Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) requirements including compliance with EPA regulations. Perform assigned sample preparatory work, and analyses according to established QC/QA requirements, including all documentation as required for compliance with appropriate regulations promulgated by EPA, state agencies, and other regulatory bodies; ensure the quality of data meets project needs.
• Evaluate quality control results, identify deficiencies and take corrective action; participate in proficiency studies to demonstrate analytical competency.
• Write and review standard operating procedures.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and perform minor repairs on laboratory instruments.
• Assist Environmental Laboratory Scientist II and III in the performance of their duties.
• Enter data into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and/or logbooks.
• Perform related duties as assigned

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Most work is performed indoors in an Environmental Laboratory with moderate chemical exposure risk. Risks include acidic and caustic solutions, neurotoxins, and carcinogenic substances. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required within the work environment. Primary PPE consists of safety glasses or goggles, lab coat, appropriate protective gloves. Due to potential chemical exposure, no bare legs are allowed in the laboratory and closed toed shoes are required in the laboratory work areas.

Able to work in a laboratory environment for long periods at a time.

Position may require repetitive handling of samples including pouring, mixing, dilution and/or filtering.

Bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, moderate lifting and bending, standing for extended periods of time, and occasional unassisted lifting of up to 25 lbs. associated with job duties.

Incumbents may be subject to emergency calls during off-duty hours and may be required to work weekends and holidays.

Qualifications

An equivalent* combination of education and experience of a High School Diploma or equivalent.

AND

Four (4) years of work experience in an environmental laboratory.

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills

• Safety precautions followed in chemical and bacteriological laboratories.
• Organic and inorganic quantitative and qualitative analysis using instrumentation such as ICP, IR, GC, GC/MS, flow injection analysis, and automated ion chromatography.
• Conventional analysis techniques.
• Operate a personal computer and related software.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative tests accurately and precisely.
• Record data accurately.
• Interpret test results in terms of reasonableness of findings and meeting project objectives and key performance criteria.
• Communicate clearly orally and in writing.
• Establish good working relationships with internal and external customers from all backgrounds.
• Maintain, troubleshoot and make minor repairs on laboratory equipment.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Application Process

Interested individual should complete the online application and attach a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process.

Applicants who are eligible for veterans scoring criteria (Veterans Preference) MUST attach a copy of their DD-214 member copy 4 (proof of military discharge form) at time of application to be eligible for review for Veteran's Preference points.

Examination Process:

This is a competitive selection process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their job application and responses to Supplemental Questions #5-7 reviewed and evaluated by a committee of subject matter experts, as the Experience and Training Test for this position. It is the responsibility of the applicants to adequately describe all pertinent experience and training.Please make sure you read the questions and provide complete informative answers, including your roles in the position and key activities. Please DO NOT respond with "see resume" in lieu of answering these questions; this will result in a failing score.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the City's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Local 17. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NeoGov system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We're committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you’re passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

The Community

Tacoma is centrally located just 32 miles south of the city of Seattle and 31 miles north of the state capital, Olympia. The City of Tacoma is also home to the Port of Tacoma, which is among the largest container ports in the United States. Like most cities in the northwest, Tacoma is surrounded by beautiful nature, offering residents many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Largely suburban in nature with a small, but dense, urban core, Tacoma is home to numerous institutes of higher learning that attract students from across the country. The University of Washington Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University, University of Puget Sound, a satellite campus of the Evergreen State College, three community/technical colleges, and several trade and business schools are within Tacoma's geographic area. Downtown's Cultural District is the site of the Washington State History Museum, Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum, and America's Car Museum.

With its affordable housing and distinctive neighborhoods and business districts, the city has been recognized numerous times as a best city to live in the nation. To see a few of the great things Tacoma has to offer, view this YouTube Video!

View this exciting video to learn more about the City of Tacoma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n5MWl8KFvI

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $34.30 - $41.69

Annual Salary: $71,344.00 - $86,715.20

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/26/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$34.30 - $41.69 Hourly