Laboratory Technician 1

Salary: $41,379.17 Annually Location : Hickory, NC Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 200-01261 Department: PS Labs and Pretreatment Opening Date: 02/18/2026 Closing Date: 3/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern Salary Depends on Qualifications: Yes Description For doers and makers seeking a well-rounded community, Hickory is a bridge between Asheville and Charlotte at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along Interstate 40, where a collective spirit of craftsmanship strengthens any endeavor with detail, artistry and quality. Hickory, North Carolina, is a three-time All-America City on the Catawba River, approximately one hour east of Asheville and one hour north of Charlotte. More than 45,000 residents call Hickory their home, the hub of a 365,000-metropolitan area. Hickory has outstanding school systems, recreation facilities, libraries, golf courses, theaters, art museums, and gorgeous parks. Beautiful Lake Hickory is over 4,000 acres and has many public access areas. Please check out for a virtual, interactive tour of the area, and for a web portal all about Hickory and Life. Well Crafted. Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job-related medical condition or disability. U.S. Law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer functional prework screen and a drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves, or others. All applicants are subject to a background check. Must possess a high school diploma or GED. Minimum age of 18. Must possess a valid Class "C" driver's license from North Carolina. This position is responsible for performing chemical, physical, and biological analysis of wastewater, industrial wastes and by-products of water and wastewater treatment processes. Major Duties Conducts a variety of standardized laboratory tests of regulatory compliance and process control samples in a laboratory setting Prepares Chain-of-Custody, bench sheets, calibration records, and other reports as necessary Responsible for maintaining a neat and safe work area and laboratory housekeeping; maintains analytical equipment located in the laboratory and in field settings Properly collects representative samples from designated locations as needed Prepares solutions, reagents, culture media, and preservatives as needed Keeps neat and accurate records; schedules daily routine to efficiently utilize resources Cleans and sterilizes test equipment, sample bottles, and related apparatus Prepares a variety of wastewater samples for storage or analysis Completes various computer tasks Performs other related duties as assigned Knowledge and Qualifications Some knowledge of basic laboratory techniques, materials, and equipment, including those used in standard chemical, physical, and biological analysis of water and wastewater; some knowledge of the principles of organic and inorganic chemistry Ability to prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biological analysis; ability to collect, preserve, and analyze water and wastewater samples Ability to make complex mathematical calculations Ability to keep neat, accurate records and prepare reports; ability to understand and carry out oral and written directions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors, and the public Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations related to wastewater treatment and laboratory analysis Skill in planning, organizing, and prioritizing work MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of specialized training in the field of work, in addition to basic skills typically associated with a high school education. Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years. Possession of or ability to readily obtain a NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Class I certification. Supplemental Information PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee in this position to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently/repeatedly required to stand; walk; use hands and exert forces needed to handle various types and sizes of tools, equipment and objects; reach with hands and arms and perform elevated work for periods of time; climb ladders and balance; climb into vehicles and equipment; stoop; kneel; half-kneel; squat; crouch; or crawl; and talk; or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift, push, pull and/or move more than 100 pounds. An employee in this position will have successfully passed a "Functional Prework Screen" administered by a professional and impartial third-party specialist. SAFETY SENSITIVE: This position has been identified as safety-sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third-party vendor. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office, laboratory and at wastewater treatment plant facilities. The employee is exposed to contagious and infectious disease and irritating chemicals. The work may be performed outdoors and occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, or gloves. The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package, in addition to salary: 11 paid holidays 12 paid sick leave days per year Paid vacation City-paid individual health insurance (H.S.A.) Low-cost dental and vision insurance Employee Assistance Program - 5 FREE visits 14.35% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000) Tuition Assistance Program On-site Wellness Clinic A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, Short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance; All at very competitive rates. Benefits package valued at over ($15,000) annually. Employees working in seasonal/part-time positions are not eligible for benefits. 01 Describe your skills and/or experience as it relates to this advertised position. 02 I acknowledge this position has been identified as safety-sensitive. The employee in this position will be part of a random drug testing pool. The methodology for choosing the random test subjects is handled by an outside, impartial, third party vendor. Yes No 03 I acknowledge an offer for employment is contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer pre-work screen and drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves or others. The testing will be based on the physical demands of the job. While performing the test, the blood pressure must be within the American Heart Association guidelines of no greater than 159/99 and the heart rate must be within the American College of Sports Medicine guide of 220-age x 90%. Yes No Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04