Water Quality Specialist
WICHITA COMPANY LIMITED
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
City of Wichita is seeking a Water Quality Specialist in the Production and Pumping Division to safeguard drinking water through laboratory analysis and field testing. The role supports regulatory compliance, identifies contaminants, and informs operational decisions to protect public health.
It offers a structured, growth‑oriented environment with several competency levels. Typical duties include performing chemical analyses, collecting samples, maintaining equipment, and preparing reports.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree or 4+ years lab experience in water testing.
- Knowledge of chemistry, biology, and parasitology related to lab work.
- Ability to drive and work outdoors in varying conditions.
Responsibilities
- Performs chemical analysis of water and wastewater samples.
- Collects samples from sources and tests them in field and lab.
- Maintains lab equipment and prepares media, stains, and reagents.
- Composes oral and written reports and supports regulatory compliance.
- May respond to water quality inquiries and handle after-hours emergencies.
Skills
Education
Job description
Step into a role where precision meets public impact. As a Water Quality Specialist in the Production and Pumping Division for the City of Wichita, you will play a critical role in safeguarding the community’s drinking water through advanced laboratory analysis and field testing. This position delivers measurable value by ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, identifying contaminants, and supporting operational decisions that protect public health. Working in a structured, growth-focused environment, you will build technical expertise across eight competency levels while contributing to a system that serves thousands of residents daily. Your work directly supports water safety, reliability, and public trust.
Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Employee Council
$50,778 - $70,944 (based on experience and qualifications)
- Performs chemical analysis and examinations of organic and inorganic substances, water, and/or wastewater.
- Collects and tests samples at sources of supply and at various locations in the water system and performs analysis both in the field and in the laboratory.
- May prepare media, stains, and reagents used in a laboratory.
- May perform bacteriological or parasitological analysis.
- Cleans and performs routine maintenance of lab equipment.
- Composes oral and written reports.
- Conducts research to keep abreast of new developments in specialized fields of chemistry.
- May answer consumer complaint calls about water quality.
- Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.
- These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive.
- Other related duties may be assigned as needed, including but not limited to tasks performed by O&M Specialists, IEC Specialists, and Process Control Specialists.
- Knowledge of chemistry, biology, and parasitology as related to public laboratory work.
- Thorough knowledge of the functions, care, and use of laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of the methods of preparing and maintaining laboratory records.
- Ability to learn, within a reasonable period of time, the laws, ordinances, and procedures related to the laboratory.
- Ability to read and interpret technical manuals.
- Ability to distinguish colors accurately.
- For bacteriologist: visual acuity to accurately identify, count, and evaluate microorganisms.
- Ability to drive at night
- Ability to walk variable distances multiple times per shift and climb stairs and ladders and to bend, twist, push, pull and reach as necessary.
- Ability to exert up to 40 pounds of pressure to operate valves and fire hydrants.
- Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather.
- Ability to be available for after-hour emergencies including on‑call duties.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to a wide range of chemicals and microorganisms.
- Ability to prepare comprehensive reports.
- Ability to perform standard laboratory procedures.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, and representatives of other organizations.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
- May require ability to traverse uneven, sometimes slippery terrain, and climb steps or ladders.
- May require ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license.
- An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or Environmental Science that includes at least 20 semester credit hours in Chemistry OR Four (4) years of laboratory experience performing chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting.
- A valid driver’s license.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.
- One (1) year of full-time laboratory experience performing advanced or specialized chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting beyond entry‑level laboratory functions.
Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre‑employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlan.pdf
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf
- VACATION - Most employees with less than five years employment earn 10 days of vacation per year. After five years, accrual rates increase at varying rates to varying maximums, depending on work schedule and/or union representation. Employees can accumulate and carry forward up to 240 hours each year.
- HOLIDAYS - There are eleven paid holidays. Employees also receive one Personal Holiday that is granted after the first six months of employment.
- SICK LEAVE - Sick leave accrual begins at one‑half day per month. After five years, sick leave accruals are one work day per month. Employees can accumulate and carry forward all unused sick leave each year. Employees who use 24 hours (3 days) or less of sick leave in a calendar year earn a "Well Day." An additional "Well Day" can be earned following a year of perfect attendance.
- HEALTH INSURANCE – UMR / United Healthcare provides two levels of medical and prescription drug plans. Both medical plan are PPOs and do not require selecting a physician or referrals for specialty care. Both medical plans include Teladoc virtual care (primary care/mental health benefits at no charge), Dario healthy living programs, and VSP Vision benefits. Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered. The City contributes 80% of the premium cost towards medical, prescription drug and vision insurance.
- DENTAL INSURANCE - Two Delta Dental plans are offered – Preferred and Traditional. The Delta Preferred plan requires using a dentist from a smaller network for a lower premium. The Delta Traditional plan allows use of any dentist, although benefits are higher using a dentist from the large Delta network. Benefits under both plans are the same (with the exception of some Orthodontic benefits) Pre‑tax premium deductions are offered.
- LIFE INSURANCE – Low‑cost voluntary term life insurance is available. Employees pay one‑third of the cost. The amount of Basic Life coverage is two times annual pay up to a determined maximum amount. Dependent coverage is available at $20,000 spouse / $10,000 child(ren) for an additional $0.14 per pay period. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The plan is through MetLife.
- SUPPLEMENTAL LIFE – Additional voluntary employee‑paid term life insurance is available from MetLife at low group rates. Participation in Basic Life is required. The Life Insurance plans are portable.
- LONG‑TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE– The voluntary employee‑paid group disability plan from MetLife provides 60% of pre‑disability income for injury or health related disabilities. Premiums are determined by income and age.
- VOLUNTARY ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT – Voluntary employee‑paid AD&DD from MetLife offers coverage for accidental death and dismemberment.
- RETIREMENT - The City offers two retirement plans - Wichita Employees (WER) Plan 3, and Commissioned Police & Fire Plan C‑79. The WER plan is a defined contribution plan; Police & Fire is a defined benefit plan. Both are contributory - employees and the City share the cost.
- FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS – Employees may elect to make FSA pre‑tax deductions for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses, reducing the cost of these expenses by eliminating taxes on the amount deducted.
- LONG‑TERM CARE INSURANCE – This plan from UNUM offers facility and home care benefits for employees, spouses, and some other family members. Several options for benefit amount and duration, and specific plan features, are available.
- MORE BENEFITS & SERVICES
Please select the field of study for your bachelor’s degree that includes at least 20 semester credit hours in Chemistry coursework.
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Environmental Science
- My bachelor’s degree is not in any of the fields listed above.
- I do not hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
I have the following years of laboratory experience performing chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting.
- Less than 6 months of experience
- 6 months - 1 year of experience
- 2 - 3 years of experience
- 4 - 5 years of experience
- 6+ years of experience
- I do not have any laboratory experience performing chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting.
I have following years of laboratory experience performing advanced or specialized chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting beyond entry‑level laboratory functions.
- Less than 1 year of experience
- 1 - 2 years of experience
- 3 - 4 years of experience
- 5 + years of experience
- I do not have any laboratory experience performing advanced or specialized chemical, physical, or microbiological analysis in a water, wastewater, environmental, industrial, or public health laboratory setting beyond entry‑level laboratory functions.
I have a valid driver's license.
- Yes
- No
I am legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.
- Yes
- No
- Required Question
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