Water Quality Analyst

DEFINITION

To perform chemical, bacteriological and physical analyses of finished and raw water; to prepare and submit various reports; to maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment and instrumentation; to perform treatment and lake management studies, and to maintain laboratory Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) certification. Under direction, serves as lab director under ELAP and/or responsibilities of technical and quality managers under The NELAC Institute (TNI).

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Water Treatment Plant Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

In accordance with Standard Methods, performs a variety of complex chemical, biological, instrumental and physical analyses of water samples collected from the District’s water storage, treatment, transmission and distribution system to ensure the product is safe to drink and meets all standards of purity established by State and Federal regulatory agencies; prepares standards, reagents and samples for analysis.

Expertly operates, maintains and calibrates a wide variety of sophisticated instrumentation and equipment including but not limited to, pH meters, conductivity meter, chemical titrators, spectrophotometers, LIMS and TOC analyzers and Amperometric Titrators.

Tests for physical properties and bacteriological quality of raw and finished water.

Prepares annual EPA-required consumer confidence report.

Reviews, analyzes and interprets laboratory results; prepares a variety of daily, monthly, annual and special reports of laboratory results; submits reports for internal use and regulatory compliance; develops recommendations to improve laboratory programs, policies, and procedures and treatment plant operations.

Investigates new analytical methods and instrumentation procedures; develops and recommends new standard operating procedures to analyze new elements/compounds required by Federal and State regulations; evaluates and revises existing chemical test procedures.

Maintains laboratory quality control program to ensure the methods, techniques and equipment used to analyze water produces consistent, accurate and reliable results; participates in regulatory agency audits of the laboratory to maintain certification.

Reviews new and proposed legislation and regulations, assesses their impact on District operations and certification and prepares reports and recommendations for management action.

Schedules and coordinates sampling with District staff and San Dieguito Water District for compliance testing of raw and finished water; coordinates with contract laboratory; receives, reviews, and interprets test results.

Assists in permit development and makes recommendations to ensure ELAP compliance.

Prepares study protocols to evaluate new lake management and treatment strategies; analyzes study data and prepares reports/recommendations for Chief Operator and the Water Treatment Plant Manager.

Gathers treated and raw source water data via online instrumentation; interprets data and makes recommendations to operations staff regarding quality of source water.

Analyzes distribution system water quality data and makes treatment/distribution system operations recommendations to improve the quality of delivered water.

Researches new test methods and laboratory equipment for the conduct of laboratory analysis such as chemicals, safety equipment and analytical instrumentation.

Researches and responds to customer questions and complaints regarding water quality issues.

Prepares reports of test results; compiles summaries of chemical and biological laboratory data; performs statistical summary calculations.

Orders laboratory supplies; assists in preparing and administering the laboratory’s annual budget.

Conducts plant tours and presents technical papers/reports at seminars and board meetings.

Responds during laboratory emergency situations, as required, including those occurrences after normal working hours and HAZMAT related events, such as hazardous materials release incidents.

Observes safe work practices and ensures that proper safety practices and procedures are followed.

Builds and maintains positive customer-focused service processes and working relationships with co-workers, other District employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Advanced theory, principles, practices, methods, chemicals and agents used in organic, inorganic, bacteriological, physical analysis and testing of water.

Proper water sampling techniques.

Basic principles and processes of water treatment.

Federal and State EPA regulations, Safe Drinking Water Act, and related regulations.

Analytical procedures such as titrations, spectrophotometric analysis, bacteriological analysis and physical analysis.

The operation and maintenance of standard chemistry laboratory equipment such as gas chromatograph, ion chromatograph, TOC analyzer, UV spectrophotometer, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer and other wet chemistry equipment.

Principles and practices of quality control/quality assurance.

Safe laboratory practices and procedures.

Principles and application of statistical analysis.

Modern office equipment and methods including use of applicable computer applications.

Technical report writing.

Appropriate safety precautions, procedures, practices and regulations, particularly as related to hazardous chemicals.

Ability to:

Perform professional and technical chemical, bacteriological and physical analyses of finished and raw water.

Analyze chemical and biological data, interpret results, and make recommendations related to treatment process based on findings.

Effectively respond to customer complaints and questions regarding water quality.

Prepare a variety of technical reports.

Perform work in accordance with safety regulations, guidelines and practices.

Operate and use modern office equipment including a computers and applicable software.

Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices, if required to drive for District business.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Experience and Training

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Three years of responsible professional chemical and/or biological analyses experience typically used in a water utility laboratory.

Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology or a related field.

License and Certificate

May require possession of, or ability to obtain by appointment date, a valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain insurability under the District’s Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Possession of a valid American Water Works Association (CA/NV) Water Quality Laboratory Analyst III or California Water Environment Association Lab Analyst III Certificate.

APPLY

Apply by visiting our job page at https://www.governmentjobs.com... and completing an application by January 29, 2020 at 12:00pm.