Water Sampling Technician – Part-Time
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Worksite: Robley Rex Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Zorn Avenue Campus
Employment Type: Part-Time / As-Needed
Schedule: Weekdays during normal business hours, with occasional time-sensitive sampling assignments
Position Summary
We are seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Water Sampling Technician to perform environmental and facility water sampling at a healthcare facility in Louisville, Kentucky.
The technician will be responsible for collecting potable water, cooling-tower water, and sterile-processing water samples in accordance with established sampling procedures, quality-control requirements, and applicable Department of Veterans Affairs requirements.
This is a part-time, field-based position with work scheduled around routine monthly and quarterly sampling events, as well as occasional emergent or corrective-action retesting.
Key Responsibilities
- Collect potable hot- and cold-water samples from designated locations throughout the facility.
- Perform routine Legionella water sampling at assigned sample points.
- Collect cooling-tower and chiller-system water samples as required.
- Perform Critical Water and Utility Water sampling associated with sterile-processing systems.
- Measure and accurately document field parameters such as:
- Water temperature
- Residual biocide/disinfectant levels
- pH
- Follow established sampling procedures to prevent sample contamination and maintain sample integrity.
- Properly label, preserve, package, and prepare samples for shipment to the designated laboratory.
- Complete field sampling records, chain-of-custody documentation, and other required documentation accurately and completely.
- Provide required field data to the designated facility representative at the time of sampling.
- Coordinate access to sampling locations with facility personnel and the Contracting Officer's Representative or designated site representative.
- Perform additional or emergency resampling when required following corrective actions or abnormal laboratory results.
- Maintain sampling equipment and supplies in a clean, organized, and serviceable condition.
- Follow all facility safety, security, parking, access, and conduct requirements.
- Perform work in a professional manner while minimizing disruption to patients, employees, visitors, and normal healthcare operations.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately complete field documentation.
- Ability to follow written sampling procedures, safety requirements, and quality-control protocols.
- Ability to work independently in a healthcare and institutional environment.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Professional communication skills when interacting with facility personnel.
- Ability to complete required training and competency evaluations before independently performing sampling activities.
- Ability to maintain required sampling training and competency documentation throughout employment.
Water Sampling Competency Requirements
Prior to assignment, technicians must demonstrate competency in areas applicable to the work, including:
- Understanding of Legionella and associated health risks.
- Proper sampling techniques for hot- and cold-water systems.
- Water systems associated with sterile processing.
- Sample handling and recordkeeping.
- Proper maintenance, cleaning, and disinfection practices associated with water systems.
- Accurate collection and documentation of field measurements.
Technician competency must be evaluated before beginning work and periodically thereafter as required by the project.
Preferred Qualifications
- Previous environmental, industrial hygiene, water-quality, laboratory, healthcare, or field-sampling experience.
- Previous experience collecting Legionella or microbiological water samples.
- Familiarity with potable-water systems, cooling towers, or sterile-processing water systems.
- Experience using pH meters, temperature meters, chlorine/disinfectant testing equipment, or similar field-testing instruments.
- Familiarity with chain-of-custody and laboratory sample-shipping procedures.
- Previous experience working at VA, federal, hospital, or other regulated healthcare facilities is a plus.
Schedule
This position is expected to be part-time and scheduled based on sampling requirements.
Routine work will generally occur Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Sampling assignments may include monthly, quarterly, and seasonal visits.
The technician must also have reasonable flexibility to support occasional emergent sampling or retesting assignments. Certain corrective-action retesting may need to be collected within approximately 48 hours of notification.
Physical Requirements
The technician must be able to:
- Walk throughout a large medical facility and associated mechanical areas.
- Stand for extended periods while conducting sampling.
- Bend, reach, and access plumbing fixtures and designated sampling locations.
- Carry sampling containers, coolers, field-testing equipment, and related supplies.
- Safely work around mechanical equipment and water-system infrastructure when required.
Pay: $25.22 per hour
Work Location: In person
