LIKELY QUESTIONS
- What interests you about the Laboratory Technician III role at the Water Resources Authority, and why do you want to work in an environmental laboratory setting?
- How has your certificate training in Water Laboratory Technology, Science Laboratory Technology, or a related field prepared you for laboratory support work?
- Walk us through how you would clean and maintain laboratory appliances and work areas to meet safety and quality standards.
- How would you safely handle laboratory glassware, protective equipment, and sample containers during daily operations?
- What steps would you take to manage disposal and recycling of sample containers in line with laboratory safety procedures?
- Describe how you would support laboratory staff during busy periods while still keeping the laboratory organized and clean.
- This role requires computer proficiency. What laboratory records or operational information are you comfortable capturing or updating using computer applications?
- How would you respond if you noticed an unsafe practice, damaged glassware, chemical spill, or poorly labeled sample container in the laboratory?

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a time you had to follow strict procedures to complete a task accurately.
Model approach: Situation - Practical training, attachment, or school lab task with clear SOPs. Task - Required to prepare, clean, label, or store materials exactly as instructed. Action - Followed SOP step by step, checked labels/equipment, used PPE, confirmed completion with supervisor. Result - Task completed safely, no errors or contamination, earned trust for reliability.
- Describe a time you worked as part of a team to keep an area organized or support operations.
Model approach: Situation - School lab, internship, or group project with shared workspace and multiple activities. Task - Help maintain order and support teammates under time pressure. Action - Divided roles, cleaned stations, arranged materials, communicated priorities, restocked items. Result - Work flowed smoothly, area remained safe and organized, team completed tasks on time.
- Give an example of when you noticed a problem before it became serious.
Model approach: Situation - During lab practice or attachment, noticed broken glassware, low supplies, unclear label, or unsafe placement of materials. Task - Prevent risk or disruption. Action - Stopped use, informed supervisor, isolated item/area, followed reporting procedure, helped correct issue. Result - Avoided accident, contamination, or delay; demonstrated alertness and responsibility.
- Tell us about a time you had to learn a new process or tool quickly.
Model approach: Situation - Introduced to a new lab routine, record system, or computer application during training/attachment. Task - Learn quickly and use it correctly. Action - Asked questions, took notes, practiced under guidance, reviewed instructions, applied carefully. Result - Became confident using the process/tool, reduced errors, and supported the team effectively.

SMART QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What does success look like in the first three to six months for someone in this Laboratory Technician III role?
- What laboratory procedures, safety standards, and waste disposal protocols are most important for this position?
- How is work typically divided between cleaning, sample handling support, record-keeping, and assisting laboratory staff?
- What training or mentorship is provided to help new technicians grow within the Authority?
- How does this laboratory contribute to the Water Resources Authority's wider environmental monitoring and water resource management work?

RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR
- Vague answers about safety procedures, PPE availability, waste disposal, or incident reporting in the laboratory.
- No clear onboarding, supervision, or training plan for an entry-level technician expected to work around laboratory risks.
- Signs of chronic understaffing, unclear duties, or expectations that support staff routinely work beyond safe laboratory practice boundaries.