Water Quality Specialist I

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, performs various tasks related to water quality compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Administers the City’s water quality and sampling programs; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Performs other duties as assigned.

Single incumbent position; reports to the Water Quality Specialist II.

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Prepare and organize water sampling bottles, containers, and related tracking documents; collect water samples from the distribution system, and water treatment plants to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Collect liquid and/or semi-liquid samples; perform a variety of routine water quality laboratory tests; perform process control testing including, but not limited to dissolved oxygen, stability, microscopic evaluation, alkalinity, fluoride, hardness, specific conductance, turbidity, chlorine residual, pH, and carbon dioxide.
• Deliver water samples to the laboratory for analysis; ensure the required documentation for each sample is complete and correct; monitor sampling schedules daily to ensure the timely completion of sampling.
• Monitor disinfectant residuals in the distribution system; submit monthly reports and samples.
• Monitor sampling supplies and maintain adequate inventory to maintain the sampling program.
• Operate various water and/or wastewater lab equipment, hand tools and power tools, and various office equipment.
• Flush the distribution system and maintain system flushing records.
• Review statistical data for regulatory compliance; organize and compile water quality lab reports; store data in both hard copy and digital formats.
• Inspect sample sites and perform repairs and/or upgrades, as needed.
• Operate and maintain assigned motor vehicles.
• Investigate, diagnose, and seek resolution to customer complaints and inquiries regarding taste, odor, pressure, and physical characteristics of the drinking water.
• May respond to all water quality call-outs during, or after, business hours.
• Follow established safety policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled operations and professional group or safety meetings.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of water quality.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive water quality program.
• Methods and techniques of water quality operations and system functions, such as taking water samples, performing related field measurements, and distribution system flushing.
• Dynamics and characteristics of water pressure and flow.
• Basic principles of chemistry, biology, and mathematics, and laboratory analysis techniques.
• Research methodology and sound scientific principles.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Operations, services, and activities of the city.
• Basic principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including environmental health and safety codes.

• Conduct bacteriological sampling, field testing, and routine laboratory tests on water samples, including analysis for chlorine, conductivity, temperature, VOCs, SOCs, pH, dissolved oxygen, in organics, and other required analyses using standard techniques and portable lab equipment.
• Interpret Geographic Information System (GIS) data.
• Prepare clear and concise reports utilizing Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Interpret and adhere to Federal, State, and local laws and regulations, and city departmental policies and procedures.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Estab…