WWTP Laboratory Technologist

About Red Deer
Red Deer sits at the heart of Central Alberta along the QEII corridor, perfectly positioned between Calgary and Edmonton. With more than 100,000 residents and a regional reach of over 300,000, it’s a growing hub for business, services, and opportunity.

Here, big-city amenities meet small-city ease. Enjoy abundant parks and trails, vibrant arts and culture, excellent recreation and education, and a strong sense of community.

With easy access to lakes, outdoor adventures, and the mountains, plus a thriving economy and high quality of life, Red Deer is an inviting place to live, work, and grow.

About The City of Red Deer Municipal Government
The City of Red Deer is a dynamic municipal organization with a $480M operating budget, a $60M capital program, and a workforce of nearly 1,700 employees. It is focused on growing with purpose by attracting talented, community-minded people who want to make a difference.

Guided by the vision “Our City, One Voice,” Red Deer is building a thriving, inclusive, and connected community, with priorities centered on a vibrant economy, community wellbeing, and strong engagement.

At its core, the City values its people, embracing diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and shared success.

The Opportunity:
The City of Red Deer is currently recruiting for a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP ) Laboratory Technologist to fill a regular full-time position. This position performs technical analysis for parameters in the effective and reliable operation of the WWTP Laboratory. Supports and performs inventory control and regulatory and compliance reporting. Key responsibilities ensure laboratory operations comply with established policies procedures and best practices, while following regulatory requirements and guidelines in an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory.

Top Key Responsibilities:

1. Conduct Laboratory Testing and Analysis - Perform chemical, physical, and bacteriological analyses on samples using established laboratory procedures and standards.
2. Manage Laboratory Data and Records - Receive, prepare, document, validate, and maintain analytical data, test results, and statistical records in accordance with quality requirements.
3. Ensure Quality Assurance and Quality Control Compliance - Perform QA/QC activities, maintain ISO 17025 standards, validate reportable data, and support continuous improvement of laboratory quality systems.
4. Operate, Maintain, and Troubleshoot Laboratory Equipment - Ensure laboratory instruments are functioning properly, perform maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and maintain operational standards.
5. Develop and Improve Analytical Methods - Develop, validate, evaluate, and troubleshoot testing methods while recommending system and process improvements.
6. Support Research, Plant Optimization, and Continuous Improvement - Participate in optimization trials, research projects, and initiatives that improve operational performance and laboratory effectiveness.
7. Maintain Health, Safety, and Regulatory Compliance - Promote a safe work environment through hazard assessments, safety training, incident reporting, compliance with regulations, and participation in safety programs.
8. Assist with Training and Procedure Development - Train and mentor staff on laboratory procedures, Safe Work Practices, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and proper equipment use.
9. Manage Laboratory Resources and Waste Handling - Support inventory management, laboratory supply control, glassware preparation, and laboratory waste management and disposal activities.
10. Provide Technical Support and Cross-Department Collaboration - Work collaboratively with operations and other departments, communicate technical findings, support emergency preparedness initiatives, and act in a supervisory capacity when assigned.

As our preferred candidate, you will have:

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• 2-year Chemical Technology program or equivalent
• Three (3) years of experience in a related field
• LIMS experience is considered an asset
• Must successfully pass all certificate courses currently required
  Laboratory quality course related to ISO 17025 is considered an asset
• LIMS training is considered an asset

Required Skills:

• Well-developed verbal, written communications skills, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer aptitude including demonstrated proficiency with City based computer programs, databases, spreadsheets and word-processing software.
• Work unsupervised, cooperate with colleagues as a team, understand and follow instructions and provide guidance and instructions to WWTP Laboratory Technologists. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, business owners, and their representatives.
• Ability to handle new or emergency situations in a logical and reasoned manner involving unusual difficulty, troubleshoot problems and exercise critical thinking initiatives.
• Ability to correctly interpret and administer rules, regulations and policies in order to make decisions based on established policies and procedures and understand other viewpoints and work with others honestly, professionally and ethically with due diligence.
• Knowledge of laboratory techniques, terminology, equipment, materials, and principles and practices of chemical, biological and physical testing, and analyses. Ability to compute test results and interpret analysis. Knowledge of ISO 17025 standards and detailed knowledge of QA/QC practices.
• Recognize personal legal responsibilities and liabilities.
  This position requires a diverse set of business administration and data management skills to be able to support standards, measures and the design and administration of information systems.
• Understanding of business objective setting, levels of service, asset management and quality monitoring.
• Demonstrated safety skills in the use of specialized laboratory equipment and hazardous chemicals.

Specific Demands of the Job:

• Exposure to toxic chemicals, unhygienic bacterial hazards, and malodorous conditions.
• Errors could significantly disrupt service levels and programs, require expenditures to correct, result in a loss of customer confidence, and damage the public image of the City. Could have personal liability exposure in the event of environmental contamination.
• Impacts the safety of other work units. Laboratory error could result in equipment damage and injury.
• Shift work may be required.
• Complying with regulations, policies and procedures, and to immediately report non-compliant situations.
• Good eyesight and manual dexterity skills in laboratory manipulative techniques.
• Hepatitis A and B inoculation is recommended prior to employment.

Affiliation: Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 417
Status: Regular Full-time
Remuneration: $41.11 to $43.28 per hour
Hours of Work: 80 hours biweekly (7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). Once the incumbent is adequately trained, weekends and statutory holidays will be scheduled to work on rotationally basis.
Additional Information: Note - More than one position may be filled from this posting.

The City of Red Deer does not permit the use of unauthorized internet resources or Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (for example, Copilot, ChatGPT or any other form of AI) during interviews or any supervised or timed assessments. Any violation may be investigated and result in serious consequences, including the rejection of your application.

We thank you for your application. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

We are a municipal government, eager to meet tomorrow's challenges. Our employees are the cornerstone of our organization. We are always seeking creative and skilled individuals with the ability and desire to lead in our dynamic workplace. Each of our employees brings diverse experiences and perspectives, as well as unique skills and talents to the job. Our diverse employee base ensures an environment where individual, team, and organizational successes are embraced and celebrated. We strive to ensure a supportive and respectful work environment for all. Employees are treated fairly and have equal opportunity within the organization to thrive and attain their highest potential. We welcome your application and look forward to discussing how The City of Red Deer can become your next career choice.