Chemist Biologist

Posting number: 2026.28.107.01

Department: Public Works

Division: Wastewater Utility

Job classification: Chemist Biologist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Waste Management, Natural Resources, Laboratory, Wastewater

CITY OF JANESVILLE DIVERSITY STATEMENT: The residents of Janesville choose this community, not just as a place to live, but as a place to realize life’s opportunities. We strive to sustain a community culture where differences are recognized, understood, and appreciated. As such, the City of Janesville recognizes the importance of developing an environment where diversity is not merely accepted but embraced and celebrated. As public servants, we believe everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. To this end, we will diligently recruit and retain the most talented employees in an environment that fosters maximizing one’s potential. Therefore, we encourage individuals from all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to consider employment with the City of Janesville and serve the residents of “Wisconsin’s Park Place”. OBJECTIVE: Under direct supervision of the Wastewater Superintendent, the Chemist Biologist is responsible for performing chemical and biological testing of samples from Industrial Pre-treatment Customers and in-Plant samples. Also performs bacteriology testing for the drinking water supply. RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to: Wastewater Superintendent

Has regular work contact with Department, Division, and Office Heads, City employees, and the general public.

Supervises: None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. This list is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by the incumbent. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Performs routine tests on plant flows, sludges, and other samples as directed.
2. Collects and analyzes samples from industries that are in our Pre-treatment Program.
3. Prepares standards and reagents used in the laboratory.
4. Interprets data from atomic absorption.
5. Tracks parameters of the treatment plant analyzed by the laboratory daily.
6. Performs routine checks on plant equipment and systems (portable samplers, gas detectors, fixed gas detectors, probes, and sensors.
7. Runs complex analyses using delicate instruments such as atomic absorption.
8. Maintains laboratory inventory control and storeroom management.
9. Troubleshoots procedural problems and validates laboratory results.
10. Prepares technical reports.
11. Develops alternative procedures for routine or special analysis as may be required.
12. Trains the Environmental Specialists, Laboratory Technician, and the WWTP Operators in the Laboratory procedures and operations.
13. Investigates unauthorized wastes or upsets at the treatment plant.
14. Follows all safety regulations, policies, and procedures; reports all unsafe conditions and acts to the supervisor; reports all accidents to the supervisor immediately whenever possible; follows recognized safe work practices.
15. Performs other special projects and other job duties as assigned or required during regular and non-business hours.
16. All employees may be assigned by the City Manager or their designee to perform duties and assume responsibilities that are outside the scope of their work duties when the City Manager has declared a City disaster or the City Emergency Operations Center has been initiated.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND PRIOR EXPERIENCE The requirements listed below are necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, or a related field is required.
2. A minimum of four (4) years of experience of related laboratory experience is required.
3. A valid, state-issued driver’s license at the time of hire is required

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS The qualifications listed below are preferred, but not required to perform the essential duties of the position. The absence of these qualifications on a candidate’s application does not preclude them from consideration.

1. Experience in operating an atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, preferred.

A combination of equivalent experience and/or education as determined by the Human Resources Office may be considered in lieu of minimum requirements.COMPETENCIES

For successful performance in this position, the incumbent must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors.

1. Skill in effective communication between co-workers and supervisors.
2. Skill in Microsoft Office applications.
3. Skill in the use of laboratory equipment.
4. Organizational and time management skills to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
5. Exceptional communication skills, both verbally and in writing, paired with a strong customer service background, and effective interpersonal skills.
6. Collaboration skills to effectively work with others to achieve common goals through communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
7. Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, evaluate, and articulate recommendations with a strong focus on the best outcome for the community.
8. Critical thinking skills to effectively analyze situations and solve complex or technical problems in a timely manner.
9. Accurate record-keeping and data-reporting skills to prepare and present standard, technical, regulatory reports.
10. Intermediate level of technical proficiency skills, including computer applications and software such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

1. Working knowledge in chemical, biological, and bacteriology sciences and how it relates to the Wastewater field.
2. Working knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of laboratory testing and water analysis.
3. Working knowledge of Proper operation of the Wastewater Lab to make sure the data is reliable and help support plant operations.
4. Working knowledge of the Pre-treatment Program that is required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
5. Ability to have and maintain DNR Advanced Laboratory Certifications, starting at the basic level.

1. Ability to collect and analyze samples from the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
2. Ability to collect and analyze samples from the industries that are in the Pre- Treatment Program.
3. Ability to perform the bacteriology testing required for the drinking water supply and reporting to the DNR.
4. Ability to maintain accurate and detailed bench sheets.
5. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in written form, with supervisors, industries, government officials, fellow employees, and City officials.
6. Ability to exercise good judgment and courtesy in maintaining public & employee relations.
7. Ability to work with others in a positive, supportive fashion to solve problems, generates ideas, and accomplishes department and City goals.
8. Ability to learn and apply new technology.
9. Have or the ability to obtain a valid State-issued driver’s license.
10. Ability and skill to operate City vehicles in a safe manner.
11. Ability to compose routine correspondence and routine reports in a clear, concise, logical, and effective manner, utilizing proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and tone.
12. Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute percentages.
13. Ability to effectively make presentations to small and large groups of individuals, manage public speaking obligations, and successfully communicate with the general public.
14. Ability to make decisions according to applicable laws, regulations, established procedures, and the directives of the City Manager and City Council.
15. Ability to learn and apply new technology in order to maintain compliance with the DNR.
16. Ability to comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures, and report all unsafe activities or conditions to supervisor.

1. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department, Division, and Office Heads, City employees, and the general public.
2. Exhibit exceptional professionalism, tact, and decorum in all areas of work duties.
3. Strong ethics base built upon integrity, honesty, initiative, and respect; maintain strict confidentiality.
4. Interact positively with a diverse group of individuals, and work effectively both as part of a team and independently.
5. Embrace and actively promote an inclusive and equitable work environment.
6. Conduct all business and working relationships in an accurate, fair, equitable and highly ethical manner.
7. Work with the public in a fair and consistent manner, maintaining objectivity and excluding personal bias while performing job duties
8. Reliable, timely, and proactive in the completion of duties, meeting deadlines and responding to inquiries.
9. Work with others in a positive and supportive manner to solve problems, generate ideas, and accomplish division and City goals.

EQUIPMENT, INSTRUMENTS, AND MACHINES: Laboratory equipment including atomic adsorption spectrophotometer, PH meter, spectrophotometer, D.O. meter, ion-specific probes, scales, samplers, hot plates, stirring machines, dishwasher, and others. City motor vehicle including a pick-up truck. Ability to use a personal computer, including the ability to develop spreadsheets for analytical purposes and use of e-mail for communication. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL FACTORS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. An individual in this position is frequently involved in sedentary work, which requires sitting for extended periods of time. This position occasionally walks, stands, stoops, kneels, crouches, and exerts up to 25 pounds of force by lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling objects. The employee is frequently required to see/observe, talk/speak, and listen/hear; use their hands and fingers; handle, feel, or operate lab equipment; repetitive arm, wrist, hand, and eye movements are included. There is frequent twisting, reaching, wrist turning, and grasping. The employee may be required to climb or balance for sampling. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment. Employees are required to use cognitive ability to reason, analyze, and verbalize thoughts and ideas. Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities or differences between characteristics of colors, shapes, and sounds associated with job-related objects, materials, or tasks.

The employee may, on occasion, be exposed to outside weather conditions, including extreme heat and extreme cold. The employee may work near moving mechanical parts in precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration. The working conditions in the office environment are comfortable. The noise level in the office environment is generally quiet to moderately noisy.

A regular, Monday – Friday, 40-hour, 7 am-3:30pm work schedule is required for this position.

For purposes of drug and alcohol testing, this position is not classified as safety sensitive.

DISCLAIMER The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position, or is responsive to the needs of the City of Janesville.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

The City of Janesville, Wisconsin, is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.