Position Summary Information
- General SummaryThe Sr. Water Quality Specialist is responsible for activities to help ensure production and distribution of safe water for the public while meeting regulations and customer satisfaction. Areas of responsibility include distribution system water quality investigations, planning/operating regulatory compliance activities, and water quality emergency response.Essential FunctionsRoutinely monitors regulatory water quality activities to assure compliance with water quality and reporting requirements. May interface with federal and state regulatory agencies to coordinate regulatory compliance processes
- Participates in the formulation and implementation of long-range plans for various engineering or scientific programs of major importance to the Commission, and serves as project team leader as needed
- Participates in WSSC Water’s CIP and/or AMP processes involving water quality issues, and independently review and evaluate impacts on water quality
- Provides customer support on water quality problems including making initial response to customer calls, conducting operational investigations, coordinating support with appropriate staff, maintaining complaints database, and developing corrective and preventive measures
- Leads special water quality studies to solve long term problems or prepare for future regulations
- Plans and coordinates full, pilot, and bench scale tests including developing test protocols, coordinating sampling, testing & background research with other WSSC Water divisions, and preparing reports and recommendations
- Participates in regional decision-making processes to protect water quality against accidental or deliberate contamination
- Coordinates WSSC Water responses to regional inquiries and serves as liaison with regional partner agencies
- Serves as a standing member of the Contamination Rapid Response Team (CRRT), participates in all CRRT activities including proficiency trainings and exercises
- Other FunctionsStays abreast of the latest technical, legal and regulatory developments in the field
- May conduct Safe Drinking Water Act compliance sampling in distribution system
- Conduct complex computational work to analyze historical and current water quality data, including trending and forecasting analysis using spreadsheet and database tools
- Reviews, approves, and enters all resulting data into the LIMS system and all other appropriate databases
- Provides technical advice/assistance to the Water Quality Section Manager and Laboratory Services Division Manager as necessary
- May provide limited technical supervision over professional or sub-professional positions.
- May perform as Water Quality Section Manager in his/her absence
- Work Environment And Physical DemandsWork is performed in a laboratory environmentRequired Knowledge, Skills, And AbilitiesComprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory provisions and ability to interpret regulatory intent on specific issues
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of source water protection, treatment processes, water distribution system, and water quality monitoring and emergency response
- Knowledge of the theories and practices in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, or biochemistry which are applied in water quality investigation and laboratory analysis
- Thorough knowledge of proper laboratory procedures and good laboratory practices (GLP)
- Knowledge of environmental Standard Operating Procedures, EPA Approved Methods and Standard Methods procedures
- Ability to independently identify and work toward resolving complex water quality problems with minimal supervision
- Ability to take a leading role in emergency water quality response, including coordinating with internal staff and external agencies, effective notification and reporting, and response to contamination events
- Ability to investigate customer surveillance data and identify source of problems
- Ability to interact with customers and stakeholders regarding water quality complaints in an effective and professional manner
- Ability to deliver superior customer service
- Minimum Education, Experience RequirementsBachelor’s degree
- 4+ years environmental science/engineering (or related work experience) in water supply, water quality, and/or water treatment/distribution system operations that includes:
- Laboratory analyses performing advanced testing on water and/or wastewater
- Experience leading water quality related projects that includes planning and developing protocols and reports
OR
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 8+ years environmental science/engineering (or related work experience) in water supply, water quality, and/or water treatment/distribution system operations that includes:
- Laboratory analyses performing advanced testing on water and/or wastewater
- Experience leading water quality related projects that includes planning and developing protocols and reports
- Additional RequirementsPossession of a valid driver’s license, with no more than 4 points, and the ability to obtain and maintain a WSSC Water driver’s permit within 90 days of hire or transfer date
- Able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed on an on-call basis
- Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter
- PreferencesMaster’s degree in environmental science/engineering or related field
- Experience in functional supervision of professional or sub-professional staff
Salary$93,240 - $158,760
Posting Detail Information
EEO StatementAN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.Close Date12/10/2024Open Until FilledNoSpecial Instructions to ApplicantsAdditional InformationAll applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.
