Water Technician

Water Quality Technician
Job Description

Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District (SVID) is seeking a full-time Water Quality Technician. The individual in this non-union position will be required to conduct routine water quality sampling and field data collection at district waterway facilities, and analytical testing of those samples on the same day or week. Analytical testing of water samples will be performed on-site in a state-of-the-art accredited laboratory.

The samples being collected and processed involve untreated surface and/or subsurface water for irrigation beneficial uses and agricultural return flow. This role will also be responsible for operating and maintaining the accredited laboratory and complying with quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) requirements. The Water Quality Technician is expected to work collaboratively with and report directly to the Water Quality Supervisor.

The Water Quality Department is responsible for monitoring the long-term variation in water quality characteristics of surface and/or subsurface water throughout the Roza-Sunnyside Board of Joint Control (RSBOJC) conveyance and drainage project waterways. This position offers a balanced mix of fieldwork (60%) and laboratory/office-based (40%) tasks, providing valuable and comprehensive experience.

• Conduct water quality sampling and data collection in the field.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment for analytical testing of water samples.
• Update and maintain QA and QC documentation, data processing, and analysis.
• Aid in coordination to provide water quality sampling and data to other district departments, landowners, or outside local, state, and/or federal agencies.
• Collect samples from various locations within the RSBOJC conveyance and drainage project waterways, including the Sunnyside Canal, Roza Canal, and jointly operated drains and wasteways.
• Contribute to water quality monitoring and data collection plans to support regulatory compliance, source water tracing assessments, and investigative needs.
• Perform field and laboratory equipment calibration and maintenance tasks.
• Manage department inventory and supplies; perform data entry, validation, and reporting; and coordinate ordering and shipping with outside laboratories, vendors, and other district departments.
• Generate and/or update standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maintain a rigorous QA and QC program for the RSBOJC accredited laboratory.

To be successful in this position, SVID is seeking candidates that are motivated to conduct field sampling and perform laboratory operation and maintenance (O&M) on a routine basis and will adhere to sampling schedules and analytical testing procedures. This role entails working outdoors in diverse weather conditions and within a professional laboratory/office setting. Both independent and collaborative teamwork capabilities are highly valued.

• Time management.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to different work assignments.
• Some familiarity or knowledge with Microsoft Office programs (Access, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Good field observational skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Detail oriented.

• A minimum of an AA degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, geology, natural resources, or other scientific field of study is desired but not required, and two years of related experience working out in the field or laboratory.
• OR A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED is required, and an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

• Valid Washington State Department of Licensing (WSDOL) issued Driver’s License.
• Valid Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued Public Operator Pesticide License or must obtain one upon employment.

Starting wage ranges from $28.00 to $29.50 per hour or $58,240 to $61,360 per year. Medical and Prescription Drug coverage becomes effective on the first day of the second month following eligibility. Dental and Vision coverage becomes effective on the first day of the second month following six consecutive months of eligibility. Retirement is offered through the Washington State Department of Retirement Services (DRS) under the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or 3.

These retirement saving programs offer defined benefit (pension), defined contribution, and voluntary Deferred Compensation (DCP) plans. Paid holidays include New Years, MLK, Presidents, Memorial, Independence, Labor, Veterans, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. Paid time off including Sick Leave (S/L) and Annual Leave (A/L) begin accruing on employment start date.