The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Division has a vacancy for a Laboratory Analyst 1.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) is an operating division of the Metropolitan Council. MCES operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system for the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan area, which includes approximately 600 miles of regional sanitary sewers and eight regional wastewater treatment plants. MCES treats an average of 250 million gallons of wastewater daily, providing cost-effective service to more than 2.6 million people in 109 customer communities. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received the Governor's Better Government Award in 2018 in the Great Places to Work category and is nationally renowned for its superior work monitoring air and water quality and planning for a long-range water supply to meet future demand.

To find out how the Metropolitan Council and the Environmental Services division serve the Twin Cities region, please click on the links for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx and https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:
Lab Analyst 1 applies academic scientific knowledge and gains hands-on laboratory experience while performing analyses, processing samples, operating laboratory instrumentation, conducting basic analytical troubleshooting, and performing routine data interpretation/reporting.

• Achieve competency and obtain Demonstration of Capability (DOC) for assigned Essential and/or Core Wastewater analysis.
• Prepare, organize and plan lab tasks prior to conducting assigned Essential and Core Wastewater analysis.
• Perform analytical testing, for which the incumbent holds a DOC, to generate data in support of stakeholder/customer needs.
• Report and review laboratory data to ensure accuracy and quality of data released to stakeholders/customers using established reporting and review tools.
• Follow Quality Assurance (QA) practices to ensure compliance with lab certification and method requirements by following established SOPs and QA protocols
• Effectively utilize and enhance knowledge and proficiency in Laboratory Information Systems (LIMS, Business Intelligence, instrument software, etc.) in order to perform analytical testing and generate data/information for stakeholders/customers.

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or another related field
Experience:There is no experience requirement for this position

• Basic knowledge and understanding of laboratory procedures and underlying scientific principles
• Proficient skill in Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to perform routine repetitive tasks and tasks which involve fine motor skills
• Ability to read, interpret and follow instructions and written procedures without deviation
• Ability to work in a team atmosphere as well as independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to complete analytical data analysis using calculations, graphs, and tabulations
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and multitask

• Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or another related field
• One or more years of full-time analytical laboratory experience
• Environmental laboratory experience

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

Union/Salary Grade: AFSCME/ Grade E
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary: $29.69 - $44.82 Hourly/ $61, 755 - $93,226 (Based on 2023 Wage Rates).

Work Environment: Work is performed in a laboratory environment and in the field. The position is regularly exposed to wet, humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals in the performance of job functions. There is frequent exposure to outdoor weather conditions when collecting samples. There is occasional exposure to extreme cold (walk-in coolers). Some chemicals handled can be explosive when not handled correctly. The position is exposed to moderate noise.

Physical Requirements:
Regularly required to stand, walk and sit, speak, hear normal conversational telephone ring tones, operate office and laboratory equipment, reach with hands/arms, frequently above chest height and occasionally overhead, must regularly lift/carry/push/pull up to 10 pounds, must have an adequate close vision for reading and computer work. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position. Regular attendance is an essential responsibility.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
1. We rate your education and experience.
2. We conduct a structured panel interview.
3. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety-sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety-sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources