AWP Laboratory Assistant - Temporary 12-18 Months

AWP Laboratory Assistant - Temporary 12-18 Months

Salary

$55,681.60 - $87,651.20 Annually

Location

Advanced Water Purification Facility, CA

Job Type

Full Time Limited Term Employee

Job Number

2026-00024

Department

Advanced Water Purification

Division

Laboratory

Opening Date

10/01/2026

Closing Date

10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Padre Dam Municipal Water District and the East County Advanced Water Purification Program is seeking a Laboratory Assistant to fill a Full-Time, Limited-Term position assigned to work at our Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Laboratory.

The expected duration for this temporary assignment is between 12 - 18 months from the start date.

As a Laboratory Assistant assigned at the AWP Laboratory, not only will you be supporting accurate sample processing, proper QA/QC, and safe laboratory operations, you will also play a vital role in protecting overall facility performance and ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality water to the community. If you are seeking a laboratory position where your daily work directly impacts the delivery of critical resources to the community, do not hesitate - APPLY TODAY!

To learn more about the East County Advanced Water Purification Program, Click Here.

Interviews will be scheduled during the week of October 26, 2026

Essential Duties

Employees in this assignment support daily laboratory operations by preparing and cleaning sample containers, analytical glassware, and other essential equipment. They receive and process potable, recycled, solids handling, and advanced water samples, assist with analytical testing, and enter results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Staff also prepare microbiological media and chemical reagents, perform routine QA/QC checks, maintain laboratory logs and records, and ensure proper disposal of contaminated materials and hazardous chemical waste. They follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and accreditation requirements to maintain a safe, accurate, and compliant laboratory environment.

To view the full job description for this position, CLICK HERE

Knowledge, Skills, Training, Experience & Licensing

Training/Experience Required: (position requirements at entry)

1. High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma and completion of at least one college

level Chemistry or Biology Class with Laboratory

2. Experience with a LIMS preferred but not required

Licensing Requirements:

1. Valid California Drivers License

2. Laboratory Analyst Grade I Certification from the CA Water Environment Association (within one year of hire)

Supplemental Information

Learn more about our mission, vision and the high-level services we provide - scan the QR code above or click HERE to view our 2025 Annual Report.

Health Insurance:

Employees have three plans from which to choose. Two HMO plans are 100% paid by Padre Dam for the employee and 90% for all eligible dependents; one PPO plan is partially paid by Padre Dam. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire. Employees have the option to waive coverage and receive 50% of Padre Dams cost savings as cash compensation. In order to waive benefits, you must show proof of other ACA eligible coverage.

Dental Insurance:

Padre Dam pays the total premium costs for the employee and all eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first of the month after hire.

Employee Assistance Program:

Employees and their dependents have access to confidential, third-party personal counseling, financial, legal and work-life services at no cost.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

Padre Dam employees may elect annually to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover health care or dependent care expenses.

Life Insurance:

Employee Group Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is provided at 1½ times annual salary with a maximum benefit of $250,000. Dependent coverage of $5,000 is also provided. Total premium costs are paid by Padre Dam for the employee and all eligible dependents.

Short & Long Term Disability:

Padre Dam provides Short & Long Term Disability for the employee at 66 2/3% of monthly gross income. The Short Term Disability benefit is payable after 31 days and the Long Term Disability benefit becomes payable after the 91st day if there is a qualified disability.

Voluntary Benefits:

Employees have access to additional voluntary benefits such as Critical Illness Coverage, Pet Insurance and Identity Theft Protection. Employees are responsible for the entire cost of premiums of these plans.

Vacation:

New employees accrue 12 days per year for 1 to 4 years of service. Additional days are earned with additional years of service.

Sick Leave:

All employees accrue 12 days per year. Employees who accumulate and maintain a sick leave bank in excess of 240 hours may, on an annual basis, sell back up to 40 hours of unused accrual hours.

Holidays:

Employees enjoy 12 paid holidays per year.

Retirement:

Membership is compulsory in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Benefit formula for new CalPERS members is 2% @ age 62. Benefit formula for classic CalPERS members is 2.5@ age 55.

Social Security/Medicare:

Employees are covered under provisions of Federal Social Security and Medicare.

Deferred Comp Plan:

An optional deferred income plan is available which allows current income to be set aside as supplemental retirement savings.

Salary Adjustments (2022-2027):

Padre Dam provides an annual Cost of Living Adjustment of 3.25% on the first pay period of each fiscal year. In addition, Padre Dam offers a pay for performance merit system. Annually, on the anniversary date of the employee, an evaluation will be done that may include an increase in salary in alignment with performance.

Tuition Reimbursement:

After the probationary period, full-time and part-time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week may apply for tuition reimbursement benefits.

Workforce Partnership (Pipeline):

Padre Dam MWD encourages broad based participation in the organizations decision making process. Employees are encouraged to participate, voice opinions, share ideas and give feedback and collaborate.

This brief summary of benefits is provided for informational purposes only. This summary is intended to be accurate but its not an official plan document and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contact. This summary does not alter or amend any provisions of the Districts Standard Practices & Policies or any Memorandum of Understanding between the associations. Should you have any questions in regards to this summary, please contact the Human Resources department at 619-258-4656.

01

Your responses to the questions below will be used to determine your eligibility to advance in the recruitment. An incomplete application or referencing your application in lieu of answering any of the supplemental questions will be cause for disqualification from the recruitment process. Changes can not be made to your application once its submitted so please ensure that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to the above.

02

Applicant Acknowledgement: Padre Dams Human Resources Department uses email to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of their employment application. As an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. It is your responsibility to ensure the email address you provide is current and readily accessible to you. 2. It is your responsibility to check your email to ensure you do not miss any deadlines established as part of the recruitment process. 3. It is your responsibility to read all Padre Dam emails carefully and follow instructions, if any. If you experience technical difficulties please contact NEOGOV Customer Support at (877) 204-4442. Please be aware that Padre Dams recruitment deadline is firm and we will not accept applications after the deadline has passed.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

03

As part of the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Project, Padre Dam entered into an Administrative and Operating Services Agreement (Agreement) with the East County AWP Joint Powers Authority (JPA). Padre Dam as the contracted Administrator and Operator, will provide management, administrative, operations, maintenance and similar or related services for facilities owned by the JPA. The Administrator and Operator functions will require Padre Dam to hire additional personnel for the development period of the project, or until the Agreement to provide those services is otherwise terminated or not extended. Once the Agreement is terminated or expires, Padre Dam will no longer need the additional personnel and will no longer have the funding to support additional personnel. East County AWP Project Funded Employees will be specifically hired as employees for the duration of time that the District is providing Administrative and Operating Services, but those employees may perform any work for the District within their employment classification, not just work under the Agreement. East County AWP Project Funded Employees will be provided the same rights and benefits as other Permanent Padre Dam Employees and be hired into the same classification with the same salaries, except with respect to termination of employment if Padre Dam ceases to provide Administrator or Operator services to the JPA. The current Agreement is for a period of approximately ten years. External applicants will be considered contract employees.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

04

Please indicate which areas you have hands-on experience working with in a laboratory environment; check all that apply.

• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• QA/QC Documentation
• Sample Handling
• Basic Analytical Testing
• Preparation of Media and Regents
• Water Quality Testing
• Wastewater Treatment Processes
• Advanced Water Treatment Processes
• Environmental Sampling
• None of the Above

05

If you indicated having hands-on experience as described in Question 4, please provide the name of employer/school/setting, your job title/role, dates of employment/course/program and a brief description of duties for each position where this experience was gained. If none, please respond "N/A" below.

06

Please indicate your highest level of education. If you indicate having a bachelors degree or higher, please attached a proof of your degree to this application.

• High School or General Equivalency Diploma
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Maters Degree or Higher
• None of the Above

07

Proof of my degree is attached.

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

08

Have you completed at least one college level Chemistry or Biology Class with Laboratory?

• Yes
• No

09

Proof of completion for the coursework indicated in Question 8 is attached to this application.

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

Required Question

Employer Padre Dam Municipal Water District

Address 9300 Fanita Parkway

Santee, California, 92071

Phone 619-258-4658

Website http://www.padredam.org