Sample Control Technician (Laboratory Technician 2)

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality strives to build and sustain an inclusive environment that embraces and values diversity. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, veteran, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or physical or mental disability. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the preferred qualification. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether or not you meet the qualifications of this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Are you passionate about preserving, enhancing, and protecting Oregon’s environment? If so, please consider a career with the State of Oregon at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). At DEQ, employees have the opportunity to work with a dynamic and supportive team of mission-focused individuals tasked with maintaining, restoring, and enhancing the quality of Oregon’s air, land, and water. Here is a video about DEQ: https://youtu.be/E-Cs6M9AAlU

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a full-time opportunity available for a Sample Control Technician (Laboratory Technician 2) in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Please consider joining an innovative team, and work to advance our agency’s mission to protect and improve Oregon’s environmental quality. The Laboratory and Environmental Assessment Division’s (LEAD) mission is to provide timely, high-quality data and information through monitoring, laboratory services, and data analysis. The Division serves the Agency programs and regional offices throughout Oregon and provides the scientific information necessary for the agency to achieve its mission to be an active leader to restore, enhance, and maintain the quality of Oregon’s air, water, and land. Check out the DEQ Laboratory video: https://ordeq.org/labvideo

Click here to view a map of all of the DEQ offices.

What you will do!

You will be responsible for custody of and testing of incoming samples, analyzing and documenting samples, entering field collected or “third party” analytical data, interpreting results, and notifying appropriate personnel when the results would impact other testing being performed. You will perform calibration checks of equipment, including recognizing, documenting, and correcting any malfunctioning equipment. You will generate reports for samples that are ready for disposal, interpret results of all analyses to ensure that samples are not hazardous waste, and dispose of samples according to laboratory guidelines. You will maintain report of inventory of all legal samples in secured storage area. In addition, you will provide assistance to the Laboratory by performing data entry, maintaining inventory of sample containers, monitoring temperature on refrigerators, monitoring the laboratory RO water for sterility, and providing back-up support to the Laboratory’s support personnel.

What’s in it for you!

The opportunity to work in a productive and creative environment where no two days are ever the same! We offer a competitive benefits package that offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for the employee and their qualified family members, as well as paid sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, and 11 paid holidays a year. In addition, we offer membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and you have the opportunity to potentially receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). If you are passionate about Oregon's environment, apply today!

This is a full-time, AFSCME represented position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies.

What are we looking for?

Minimum Qualifications: 2 years of experience performing routine, standardized analytical tests and laboratory procedures in accordance with well-written instructions, AND high school courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or any course which included laboratory work. A Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or a closely related field may substitute for the experience requirement.

Candidates who are most competitive will also reflect the following:

• Demonstrated understanding the historical impacts for marginalized and underrepresented communities; ability to take personal responsibility for increasing their knowledge of environmental justice and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Experience working in an environmental laboratory, especially with sample receiving activities.
• Experience with Element (LIMS), including accepting incoming laboratory samples and logging them into the system.
• Exposure to and/or experience using or reviewing custody forms, field data sheets, Sampling Analysis Plans (SAPS), and Quality Assurance Plans (QAPPS).
• Experience performing calibration checks on scientific instruments throughout the laboratory.
• Knowledge of US EPA and Standard Methods analytical methods performed in an environmental laboratory setting.
• Experience with responding to tight deadlines and shifting responsibilities/priorities.
• High level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Demonstrated customer service skills; ability to act professionally and courteously with internal and external individuals, including coworkers, managers, other staff, and members of the public in-person, via e-mail, and via phone.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with an ability to switch priorities or projects seamlessly; high aptitude for learning new things and an ability to pay attention to detail.

Working Conditions:

DEQ believes in a diverse and inclusive work environment. All employees are expected to contribute to a work environment that collectively values and benefits from respecting its diversity and promotes a culture of inclusiveness.

This position will be based out of DEQ’s Laboratory in Hillsboro, Oregon and has extremely limited opportunity for remote work, with the majority of the time spent in office and laboratory spaces. 

Work is primarily in a chemical laboratory with potential chemical hazards, including the potential for chemical risks from handling or being near toxic, corrosive flammable, or carcinogenic chemicals; exposures to toxic samples where the hazards may not be known or predictable; electrical hazards from high voltage or current associated with instrument operations; physical risks from viewing CRT screens or monitors; and exposure to extreme temperature difference. There will be occasional travel in and out of state requiring driving in unfamiliar areas. This position requires twisting, squatting, standing (for up to 4 hours), stooping, bending, and lifting of up to 50 pounds, in addition to repetitive bottle opening involving repetitive hand and wrist usage.

How to Apply: (complete the application in full)

• External Applicants Click on the “Apply” button and submit your application. Click this link for the External Candidate job aid, and view this video for additional information.
• Internal Applicants (current State of Oregon employees): Apply through your employee Workday account.  View this knowledge article for assistance.

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Please Note: In addition to your related work experience and education, DEQ will use the desired attributes and minimum qualifications above, under the “What are we looking for?” section to determine whom to interview. Please make sure your attributes and minimum qualifications are clearly demonstrated in your application material.

Veterans Information:

DEQ provides veterans’ preference points to all eligible veterans. For more information on veterans’ preference, please visit Veterans Resources, or call the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666. For privacy reasons, please do not attach veterans’ preference documents when initially applying. You will be asked to submit those at a later time.

Pay Equity:

As an employer, the State of Oregon complies with HB 2005, the Pay Equity Bill. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class in the payment of wages, and we do not screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. Please visit http://www.oregon.gov/das/hr/pages/equity.aspx for more information. Please note: the salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95% (6% goes to PERS and .95% covers payroll taxes). Please review the Classification and Compensation page for more details.

Work Authorization:

DEQ does not offer visa sponsorships. On the first day of employment, all hires will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. In addition, hires will have three business days from their first day of employment to present documents that establish employment authorization and identity. DEQ is an E-Verify employer and will use E-Verify to confirm that hires are authorized to work in the United States.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need assistance to participate in the application process, please contact DEQ’s Recruitment Team at jobs@deq.oregon.gov or 503-229-5107. TTY users: please use the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.