Water Quality Scientist II - Wastewater

City of Loveland; Loveland (CO); On-site; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Loveland is seeking a Water Quality Scientist II to lead complex chemical analyses of water and wastewater, manage QA/QC, and advance analytical methods. You will oversee instrumentation like GC-MS and ICP-MS, ensure regulatory compliance, and mentor staff across laboratories.

The role may require evenings, weekends, or holidays, with opportunities to engage in intergovernmental scientific groups and utility projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field.
• 5 years' experience in water or wastewater municipal or commercial laboratory performing complex organic and/or inorganic analysis using GC-MS and/or ICP-MS.
• Experience as laboratory QA/QC officer is preferred.
• Knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act analytical methods would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety of public health and environment by complying with regulations.
• Manage laboratory operations ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Oversee advanced analytical programs (bacteriological, inorganic, organic).
• Act as QA/QC officer and oversee laboratory safety and contracts.
• Develop and maintain SAPs and analytical methods; manage data reporting and interpretation.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

Data interpretation

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Graduate degree preferred

Tools

GC-MS

ICP-MS

Job description

The Water Quality Scientist II is a highly skilled analytical chemist position responsible for developing and performing complex chemical, physical and bacteriological analyses on water, wastewater, source water, and treatment process sludge samples. Incumbents in this position are managers of the Organic, Inorganic, Quality Control, and Laboratory Operations programs. Tasks include statistical evaluation and reporting of analytical data, research and development of new analytical methods for inorganic and organic testing, and incorporation of advanced instrumentation for routine and specialized analyses. Additional tasks include analytical program and certification management, advanced scientific project management, and providing technical expert representation on intergovernmental scientific working groups.

This position may work evenings, weekends, and holidays. As a result, the position is eligible for Continuous Floating Holiday.

The salary range for this position is $40.99 - $55.34 per hour with a hiring range of $40.99 - $48.17, depending on qualifications and experience. This opportunity will be available to applicants until Monday October 12, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. M.S.T.

Essential Functions:

• Ensures safety of public health and the environment by demonstrating compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Manages individual laboratory operations to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Manages and oversees advanced analytical programs including, but not limited to, bacteriological, inorganic, and organic programs.
• Acts as QA/QC program manager, Laboratory Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer, and oversees laboratory building specific support contracts.
• Manages hazardous waste and seeks to reduce and/or eliminate laboratory hazardous waste generation through the incorporation of green chemistry principles.
• Responsible for obtaining and maintaining analytical compliance certifications for all applicable programs.
• Manages advanced analytical equipment and programs including but not limited to: GCMS, ICPMS, and IC.
• Develops, leads, and oversees internal and external monitoring practices and programs.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAPs) for assigned studies and projects.
• Develops new methods and procedures for organic and inorganic testing using advanced analytical instrumentation.
• Manages contracts for assigned projects and programs.
• Performs advanced chemical and microbiological analyses on water, wastewater, source water, and sludge matrices.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable quality control protocols to provide legally defensible analytical results, including establishing and updating method specific quality control charts.
• Compiles and interprets data to produce advanced analytical reports and provides regulatory/process improvement recommendations.
• Statistically evaluates and approves analytical data for regulatory and non-regulatory reports and presentations.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of organic and inorganic training programs for lower-level staff.
• Provides technical expertise, training, and high-level analytical support to operations staff at all treatment plants for plant optimization and special studies.
• Schedules and procures adequate chemicals, equipment, and instrument supplies for corresponding analytical programs.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs advanced instrumentation.
• Generates, interprets, and presents analytical data to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Represents the utility by providing scientific expertise for various panels, workgroups, watershed associations, and participates in regulatory based stakeholder group meetings.
• Oversees regulatory special purpose projects and sampling as assigned.
• Communicates with customers to relay analytical results and address customer inquiries as needed.
• Maintains a safe working environment and adheres to all established safety protocols.
• May be required to respond to emergency situations, including water quality incidents, spills, or treatment upsets, and may occasionally be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

Other Job Functions:

• Serves as a mentor and/or provides cross training and guidance to other water quality staff.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training sessions to keep current with changes in regulatory and industry protocols as assigned.
• Maintains comprehensive records of sampling and analytical activities.
• Assists or leads efforts to publish project results in scientific journals with the goal of contributing to the body of water quality knowledge and promoting Loveland Water to the larger scientific community.
• Participates in personal growth opportunities, and attends trainings designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization.
• Works to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered.
• Demonstrates a high level of customer service; encourages others to focus on the customer; fosters an environment where customer service is a priority.
• Acts as an ambassador by understanding and fostering the organization's mission and vision.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Level and Management Expectations:

• There are no manger/supervisor expectations for this role.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Required: 4 Year/Bachelors Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field.
• Preferred: Graduate Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related science.

An equivalent combination of education and or experience may substitute for education requirements on a year for year basis.

Experience:

• Required: 5 years' experience in water or wastewater municipal or commercial laboratory performing complex organic and or inorganic analysis using a GC-MS and/or ICP-MS.
• Preferred: Experience acting as a laboratory QA/QC officer.
• Preferred: General knowledge of the water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Preferred: Thorough knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act analytical methods.

Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of the scientific method, laboratory procedures, and an understanding of both water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Demonstrates an advanced knowledge of analytical chemistry, organic/inorganic chemistry, quantitative analysis, and statistical/mathematical operations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of hazards and safety precautions required in the laboratory and field.
• Knowledge of