Environmental Analyst II

City of Cocoa; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cocoa seeks an Environmental Analyst II to analyze drinking water and wastewater samples, maintain QA/QC procedures, and support plant operations under the Water Quality Laboratory Manager. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry and five years’ lab experience.

Responsibilities include calibrating equipment, maintaining records, performing quality control, training staff, and assisting during audits and inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology and/or chemistry with five years of environmental laboratory experience.
• Ability to read and interpret procedures, QA/QC guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and capability to obtain required credentials.

Responsibilities

• Collects and analyzes environmental water samples from multiple sources.
• Calibrates lab equipment and maintains logs and inventory.
• Performs quality control testing and assists audits.
• Trains staff on procedures and supports regulatory inspections.
• Responds to emergencies, outages, and customer inquiries.

Skills

Laboratory QC knowledge

Decision making based on data

Laboratory safety practices

Problem solving

Technical report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or chemistry

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS

CAD

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Water Quality Laboratory Manager, performs skilled technical work in the analysis of specific chemical, bacteriological and physical parameters of the drinking water and wastewater treatment process. The Environmental Analyst II troubleshoots problem areas and make recommendations, performs and evaluates quality control testing, works with minimum supervision, coordinates testing with plant operations, interprets current approved testing procedures and updates procedures as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Collects and analyzes all environmental water samples (drinking water, waste water, groundwater, and surface water), collects various samples in specific locations throughout the distribution system, collects and analyzes both plant and field samples, including potable and non-potable water.
• Helps to maintain sampling procedures and quality control records and test results, helps calculate and compile data for the monthly reports and process control, performs Proficiency Testing biannually, or as required, and helps prepare Water Quality Assurance Laboratory for audits.
• Calibrates lab equipment and maintain logbooks, assists in lab inventory control, prepares reagents for analytical testing, and maintains lab inventory and requisition supplies.
• Performs general laboratory housekeeping duties (i.e., sweeping, mopping, dusting, trash disposal, washing dishes, restock and order supplies, check temps), performs routine preventative and corrective maintenance of lab equipment/apparatus, and sterilizes glassware and reagents.
• Trains other employees (environmental analysts, operators, etc.) on laboratory procedures, methods, and protocols.
• Responds to call out outages and rotating stand-by duty.
• Responds to customer complaints.
• Collects and analyzes bacteriological sample as a result of a Boil Water Notice, outage or main break.
• Performs quality control elements as required by the all regulatory agencies governing the City of Cocoa’s Water Quality Assurance Laboratory (DOH, DEP, EPA, NELAC).
• Assists the representatives from regulatory agencies during inspections and develops and prepares monitoring plans, SOP’s, Quality Assurance Manuals, and other reports as needed, in compliance with requirements of regulatory agencies.
• Provides accurate data in report form using computer software and word processing programs.
• Performs protocols for routine preventative and corrective maintenance of lab equipment/apparatus, and make recommendations based upon results, and makes recommendations concerning upgrading lab equipment and instruments.
• Assists Water Quality Laboratory Manager as needed.
• Essential Employees may be required to workduring a declared or undeclaredemergency.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the state of Florida and National Laboratory Programs.
• Knowledge of laboratory practices and principles, operation and care of lab equipment, safety practices and procedures, and laboratory quality control methods.
• Skill in the use of a variety of computer programs, including Microsoft Office, GIS or CAD and various other office equipment.
• Ability to make responsible decisions and proper judgments based on factual data, troubleshoot problem areas, and set up new or modify existing lab procedures.
• Ability to read and understand written and oral instructions.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision and interact with the plant operations staff.
• Ability to work shift work, weekends and holidays.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in biology and/or chemistry with five (5) years of environmental laboratory experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Special Qualifications:

For positions requiring the operation of City vehicles, must possess a valid current Florida driver's license, or be able to acquire one within 45 days of hire. Must pass Demonstrations of Capabilities for all NELAC accredited analysts within six (6) month of employment. Must be able to obtain a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Transportation Worker Identification Credential and Port Canaveral Identification Credential within six (6) months of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is generally medium and may require exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and up to 30 pounds frequently to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Climbing: ascends / descends ladders, stairs, scaffolding, or ramps.
• Crouching: Ability to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Ability to perceive attributes of objects by touch.
• Dexterity: Primarily with fingers, as in picking, pinching, or typing.
• Grasping: Applying pressure with the whole hand.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working with the whole hand.
• Hearing: Ability to hear and understand at normal speaking levels with or without correction.
• Kneeling: Ability to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Ability to lift and move objects
• Mental Acuity: Ability to make rational decisions.
• Pulling / Pushing: Ability to occasionally move objects up to 50 pounds.
• Reaching: Ability to frequently extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking / Talking: Ability to communicate clearly, accurately and concisely through speech.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Ability to frequently bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and/or extensive reading, operating motor vehicles; including color, depth perception, and field vision.
• Walking: Ability to walk long distances to perform tasks and to move from a job site to another.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires the ability to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Work may be performed in both in and out-of-door environments with exposure to the wind, rain, cold, heat and cramped spaces