Description
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
Environmental Microbiologist
Recruitment #25-20003611-002
Date Opened: 12/12/2025 12:00:00 AM
Close Date: 12/26/2025 11:59:00 PM
Qualification Date: December 26, 2025
Job Type: Original Entrance
Salary: Starting Annual Salary (TAM 15): $93,516.54
How to Apply: Go to http://districtjobs.org to submit an application by December 26, 2025.
Duties: Under general direction, conducts microbiological monitoring and research to meet regulatory objectives and support wastewater treatment operations, water quality monitoring and public health protection.
Salary/Pay Plans
The salary listed above is Step 1 in a structured pay plan. At 6 months of employment with the District, the salary will increase to Step 2: $99,634.08. At 18 months, the salary will increase to Step 3: $105,752.40. There are 9 total steps for TAM 15 of the pay plan (view full pay plan). These increases are based on service time in the job classification and require a 'Meets Standard' performance rating.
Requirements
Original Entrance - Examination
Minimum Requirements: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university majoring in microbiology, bacteriology, virology, biology, or a closely related field and two years of experience in environmental microbiology or a closely related field. Substitution: Graduate study in an appropriate academic specialty may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for year basis.
Examination: The examination will consist of a written test weighted 100%. The minimum passing score on the written test will be 70% unless determined otherwise by the Director of Human Resources. Candidates must achieve a passing score to have their names placed on the eligible list.
The written test will assess candidates' knowledge, skill and ability in areas such as preparation of media and other material used in the microbiology lab; enumerating and analyses of fecal coliform bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria, viruses and Helminth ova; quality control measures and analytical procedures used in wastewater treatment environments; interpreting regulations as they apply to microbiological methods; chemical hygiene and safety protocols; principles of biochemistry and microbiology; and use of common lab equipment found in a microbiology lab.
Examination Process: All applicants will be advised by email if they have been admitted to the examination process. Applicants who do not receive a response to their application by Friday, January 23, 2026, should contact the Employee Selection Office at (312) 751-5100.
WRITTEN TEST: The written test will be administered on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 West 111th Street, Chicago, IL.
Candidates should report at 9:00 a.m. with the approved (printed) admission letter and driver's license or other form of photo identification. Calculators will be provided. The use of books, study guides, cell phones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops or other aids during the test is prohibited.
Original Entrance - Appointments
Appointments will be made from an eligible list with three categories: A (Exceptionally Well Qualified), B (Well Qualified) and C (Qualified). Candidates in the highest category will be given first consideration for appointment. This examination is also being given on a Promotional basis. In instances where both Original Entrance and Promotional eligible lists result from an examination process, it is the District's practice to appoint only from the Promotional eligible list until all names from that list have been considered. The eligible list has a duration of three years. Appointment is subject to successfully passing a physical examination, a drug test and a criminal history background investigation.
