LIKELY QUESTIONS
- Can you walk us through your experience in water and wastewater sample analysis, including the key parameters you have tested and the methods you used?
- Describe your hands-on experience conducting microbiological examination of water. Which organisms or indicators have you routinely tested for, and how did you ensure accuracy?
- How have you supported water pollution control activities in your current or previous role?
- Tell us about a report you prepared on water or wastewater sample results. How did you present findings, interpret non-compliance, and recommend action?
- What procedures do you follow for proper storage, handling, and tracking of laboratory specimens, chemicals, reagents, and equipment?
- How do you monitor water quality and safety over time, and what would you do if trend data showed deterioration in quality?
- This role requires maintaining records and ordering laboratory supplies. How do you prevent stock-outs while also controlling waste and expiry of reagents and consumables?
- How have you used computer applications in laboratory work for data entry, analysis, reporting, inventory management, or quality documentation?

BEHAVIOURAL QUESTIONS
- Tell us about a time you detected a water quality issue or unusual test result. What did you do?
Model approach: Situation - Routine or complaint-driven sample testing showed abnormal microbiological or physicochemical results. Task - Confirm whether the result was valid and protect public health by escalating appropriately. Action - Rechecked sample integrity, repeated the test according to SOPs, verified equipment calibration and reagent validity, documented findings, informed supervisor, and supported corrective action or resampling. Result - Accurate confirmation of the issue, timely reporting, and action taken to reduce risk and restore compliance.

- Describe a time you had to manage multiple urgent laboratory tasks at once.
Model approach: Situation - Several samples arrived simultaneously with competing deadlines, possibly including regulatory or operational urgency. Task - Prioritize testing without compromising quality or turnaround time. Action - Categorized samples by risk and deadline, organized workflow, coordinated with colleagues, ensured all SOP and QC steps were followed, and communicated realistic timelines to stakeholders. Result - Critical samples processed on time, no quality lapses, and clear reporting delivered.

- Give an example of a time you improved record-keeping, stock control, or laboratory organization.
Model approach: Situation - Records, reagent tracking, or inventory processes were manual, inconsistent, or prone to stock-outs. Task - Improve reliability, traceability, and availability of supplies. Action - Introduced or strengthened logs, reorder levels, expiry tracking, labeling, and periodic stock audits using computer tools where possible. Result - Fewer stock shortages, better compliance with documentation requirements, and improved laboratory efficiency.

- Tell us about a time you worked with others to solve a technical or operational problem in the lab.
Model approach: Situation - The team faced an issue such as failed QC, equipment downtime, delayed results, or inconsistent procedures. Task - Contribute to resolving the problem quickly while maintaining testing integrity. Action - Collaborated with team members, reviewed SOPs and root causes, divided responsibilities, communicated updates, and helped implement corrective and preventive actions. Result - Problem resolved, workflow restored, and lessons applied to prevent recurrence.

SMART QUESTIONS TO ASK
- What are the main water quality and laboratory priorities for this role in the first 6 to 12 months?
- Which analytical methods, microbiological tests, and quality control systems are most commonly used in this laboratory?
- How is success measured for the Laboratory Technologist I position, especially in reporting accuracy, turnaround time, and compliance?
- What are the biggest water quality or wastewater monitoring challenges currently facing CWWDA?
- How does the agency support professional development, including training on laboratory methods, quality assurance, and regulatory standards?

RED FLAGS TO WATCH FOR
- Vague answers about laboratory quality assurance, SOPs, calibration, proficiency testing, or how results are verified before reporting.
- Signs of poor resourcing, such as chronic shortages of reagents, unreliable equipment maintenance, or unrealistic workloads with little support.
- Unclear reporting lines or pressure to release results quickly without proper QC, documentation, or scientific rigor.