Laboratory Technician (Chemical Analysis)

California State Personnel Board Specification

• Schematic Code: ST60
• Class Code: 7877
• Established: 10/04/1957
• Revised: 12/04/1990
• Title Changed: --

Definition

Under the supervision of a professional chemist, to perform routine repetitive chemical and biochemical analyses of water, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, meat and dairy products, fish and wildlife, soil, stream sediments, rocks, minerals or other materials; to care for laboratory materials and equipment; and to do other related work.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions of Laboratory Technician (Chemical Analysis) are used in laboratories where it is feasible to assign the less difficult and more repetitive analyses to nonprofessional staff. The work of a Laboratory Technician is distinguished from that of a professional chemist by the limited variety of tasks assigned and the limited degree of responsibility for evaluating and interpreting nonstandardized test results. A Laboratory Technician reports results that are not within defined limits to a professional chemist for appropriate action.

Typical Tasks

Makes routine qualitative and quantitative chemical and biochemical analyses of water, sewage, soil, stream sediments, rocks, minerals, cement, textiles and fillers, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, meat and dairy products, fish and wildlife and other materials by standardized and predetermined methods; makes necessary arithmetical computations; refers unusual problems or nonstandardized results to a professional chemist for evaluation; prepares standard reagents and chemical solutions; filters and weighs samples preparatory to analysis by a professional chemist; conducts routine physical tests of soil, stream sediments, rocks and minerals; cleans and assembles laboratory apparatus and glassware; records test data and keeps records pertaining to analyses.

Minimum Qualifications

Either I

Education: Equivalent to two years of college including completion of introductory laboratory courses in organic and inorganic quantitative chemistry. (Applicants who have completed one year of college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of completion of the second year or its equivalent before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Two years of experience as a technician in a chemical or biochemical laboratory.

Or III

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Laboratory Assistant; and

Education: Completion of nine semester units or 12 quarter units of college level introductory courses in organic and inorganic quantitative chemistry.

Or IV

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Laboratory Assistant, Range B; and

Education: Completion of nine semester units or 12 quarter units of college level introductory courses in organic and inorganic quantitative chemistry.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: Chemical laboratory techniques, materials, and equipment, including those used in chemical and biochemical analyses of waters, soils, stream sediments, rocks, minerals, cements, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, meat and dairy products, fish and wildlife; principles of organic and inorganic chemistry; physical testing techniques, including specific gravity and magnetic susceptibility determinations.

Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; prepare laboratory reagents and assemble laboratory apparatus for chemical and biochemical analysis; follow directions, perform repetitive routine work, and keep accurate records.

Special Personal Characteristic

Keenness of observation.