Austin Water - Water Quality Scientist Assistant

Job Description About This Position

ABOUT AUSTIN WATER:
For more than 100 years, Austin Water has provided safe, reliable, high-quality and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve more than 1 million people across 544 square miles in the Austin metropolitan area.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Using academic knowledge to assist other staff, perform chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses, using EPA approved qualitative and quantitative techniques in one or more of the following areas: water, wastewater, and environmental samples.

• Drives to various sites throughout the City including schools, wastewater plants, and area water ways to collect samples.
• Prepares and analyzes water, wastewater, or environmental samples.
• Performs appropriate analysis per established protocols.
• Follows strict analytical and documentation protocols.
• Maintains Chain of Custody process.
• Evaluates ane verifies data.
• Notifies appropriate staff of non‑compliant or out of spec results.
• Adheres to QA/QC and standard operating procedures.
• Operates, maintains, and calibrates analytical/miscellaneous instrumentation.
• Performs proficiency tests and other quality assurance procedures.
• Prepares reagents and/or media.
• Assists with administrative duties as required.
• Testifies, as necessary, regarding analyses performed.

None

• Knowledge of Water Quality testing.
• Knowledge of EPA‑approved standards.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in interpreting and analyzing data.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in prioritizing critical tasks.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Chemical, Environmental, or Biological Sciences.

• Valid Texas Class "C" Driver License.
• For Analysts in the Water Quality Laboratory: must obtain a Class D Water Operator License TCEQ within six (6) months.

• Experience performing lab analysis related to water and wastewater quality testing using analytical techniques and methods (i.e., EPA, Standard Methods, etc.).
• Experience operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience working in an accredited or certified laboratory (i.e., TNI, EPA Drinking Water Certification, ISO 17025, etc.).
• Possess organizational, problem solving, and cultural competence skills.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more -

The Austin Water Laboratory Services Division (LSD) is a multi‑site, NELAP‑accredited municipal laboratory whose mission is to provide accurate, timely, and cost‑effective water quality data to City data end users. The LSD performs analytical testing to support the City’s water and wastewater operations and regulatory requirements while also providing data to other City departments, including Austin Energy, Aviation, and Public Works.

The LSD is comprised of 42 dedicated and talented professionals with roles in technical science, quality assurance, and leadership and management, performing or overseeing work in wet chemistry, microbiology, metals, and organics.

This Water Quality Scientist Assistant performs analytical testing on water and wastewater samples in…