Laboratory Technician

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Are you looking for a role that blends scientific work with leadership and operational responsibility? The Marathon County Health Department Water Laboratory is seeking a Laboratory Technician for a dynamic and rewarding position. In this role, you’ll support critical water testing services while also playing an important part in our rabies program, helping protect the health of our community.

The ideal candidate brings strong laboratory experience, excellent computer skills for data management and reporting, and a commitment to high-quality customer service when working with internal and external partners. If you’re looking for a role that offers variety, responsibility, and the chance to grow your skills and advance your career, this could be your dream job.

The Laboratory Technician performs technical-level laboratory duties within the environmental health and communicable disease programs. The position has responsibility for performing routine bacteriological and chemical laboratory analysis on drinking and recreational water. Work also includes administering the Rabies Program at the Health Department. The work is performed under the direction of the Environmental Health & Safety Director.

Examples of Work Performed:

The following duties are typical of this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Laboratory Testing and Operations:

• Performs bacteriological and chemical laboratory analysis on drinking and recreational water, including testing for bacteria, nitrates, fluorides, pH, and various chemistry screening tests

• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders about Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedances (MCL) in compliance with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act

• Accurate data entry into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)

• Monitors and documents refrigeration and freezer unit temperatures

• Performs routine maintenance on lab equipment

• Compiles and analyzes data on laboratory services for Departmental reports and programmatic quality improvement

• Performs Quality Control Procedures at required intervals throughout the year

• Collaborates with State Agencies regarding preparation for and follow-up to laboratory audits

• Ensures laboratory SDS database is accurate and complete

• Performs weekly invoicing to laboratory customers

• Trains interns

• Reviews and updates policies and procedures annually

• Maintains lab supply inventory and ordering of materials

• Investigates and implements updates or changes to water analysis instruments and methods, as requested

• Ensures data is retained appropriately

Rabies Program:

• Investigates animal bite exposures by consulting with animal owners, exposure victims, the medical and veterinary community, law enforcement agencies, and State veterinary professionals. Responsibilities include animal quarantine procedures, issuing and coordinating enforcement of quarantine orders, facilitation of required animal observations by licensed veterinarians, rabies specimen submission for testing, and referring bite victims to medical providers for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

• Compiles records in response to open records requests

• Ensures accurate data entry into the rabies computer databases

General Duties:

• Communicates environmental health information for diverse customers using oral and written communication skills. Provides other educational presentations relating to environmental health programs that may include water testing and rabies education

• Develops and selects appropriate educational methods and materials based on language, culture, or disabilities and uses interpreter when necessary

• Contributes to a positive work culture that fosters excellent customer service and teamwork

• Interviews individuals to obtain information related to environmental problems; handles confidential information and sensitive complaints, requests, inquiries, and emergencies in a diplomatic and positive manner

• Performs related work as required

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an approved college/university in physical or biological sciences OR associate’s degree in food science, environmental technician, medical lab technician, or other related health science field; OR two years’ work experience performing water, milk, food, or health laboratory test procedures. Other combinations of closely related education and work experience may be considered.

• Ability to complete the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection Rabies Control Program Trained Observer Certification.

• Possession of a valid driver's license with a driving record that meets county standards.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Data Analytics and Assessment Skills

• Accesses existing quantitative and qualitative data

• Analyzes quantitative and qualitative data

• Uses quantitative and qualitative data

• Manages quantitative and qualitative data

• Assesses community health status

Policy Development and Program Planning Skills

• Develops policies, programs, and services

• Implements policies, programs, and services

• Evaluates policies, programs, services, and organizational performance

• Improves policies, programs, services, and organizational performance

Communication Skills

• Communicates with internal and external audiences

• Responds to information, misinformation, and disinformation

• Facilitates communication among individuals, groups, and organizations

Health Equity Skills

• Applies principles of ethics, diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice

• Engages in continuous self-reflection about one’s own biases

• Recognizes the diversity of individuals and populations

Community Partnership Skills

• Establishes relationships to improve community health and resilience

• Collaborates with community members and organizations

Public Health Sciences Skills            

• Applies public health sciences

• Uses evidence in developing, evaluating, and improving policies, programs, and services

Management and Finance Skills

• Engages in professional development

• Implements organizational policies, programs, and services to achieve diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice

• Manages programs and services

• Applies critical thinking in decision making

• Engages individuals and teams to achieve program and organizational goals

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

• Responds to emerging needs

• Advocates for public health

Compensation:

Starting hourly rate: $25.81 + Marathon County benefits

Physical Requirements:

Low Physical Requirements - Job involves minimal physical exertion or movement. This job typically requires prolonged sitting, limited walking, or minor lifting.

All physical requirements are described with the intent to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job.

Selection Procedure:

The selection of the successful candidate may be made by assessment of education and work experience, oral interview, review of references, and/or other job-related selection procedures. Depending on position requirements, the selected candidate may be required to satisfactorily complete post-offer assessments, including but not limited to education verification, background checks, driver license verification, physical examination, psychological assessment, and drug screening paid for by the County.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Marathon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status.

Special Accommodations:

Marathon County will make arrangements to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services where necessary and reasonable to afford an individual with a disability the opportunity to participate in the recruitment process. Please notify the Employee Resources Department office or phone (715) 261-1451 to request special accommodations prior to the application deadline.

Notice to Applicants:

Wisconsin Statutes, Sections 19.36 (7), 64.09 (5), and 64.11 (7) require public employers to treat the following items as a public record: Each applicant’s application, records, recommendations, and qualifications except as provided in Section 19.36 (7), Wis. Stats. that allows the identity of an applicant to remain confidential if the applicant requests in writing that the County not provide access to this information.  If you choose not to have this information become a public record, you must make such a request in writing to the Employee Resources Department. If you become a finalist for the position, your identity may be disclosed as required by law