Water Quality Specialist I

City of Waxahachie; Waxahachie (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Waxahachie is seeking a Water Quality Technician to administer its water quality and sampling programs under general supervision, ensuring compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).

You will collect water samples from the distribution system and treatment plants, perform routine laboratory tests, monitor disinfectant residuals, prepare reports, inspect sampling sites, manage equipment, and respond to customer inquiries

Qualifications

• Experience collecting water samples and performing field measurements.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements under TCEQ/SDWA.
• Basic chemistry, biology, or environmental science knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize sampling bottles and tracking documents; collect samples from distribution system and treatment plants.
• Perform routine laboratory tests and process control analyses (pH, turbidity, chlorine, etc.).
• Deliver samples to the lab and ensure proper documentation; monitor schedules for timeliness.
• Monitor disinfectant residuals and submit monthly reports.
• Inspect sampling sites and maintain equipment and records.
• Respond to water quality inquiries and maintain compliance with regulations.

Skills

Water quality sampling

Laboratory testing

Disinfectant residuals monitoring

Data reporting

Report writing

GIS data interpretation

Software literacy

Communication skills

Independent work

Equipment operation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Specialized training in water treatment or distribution

1 year of utility operations experience

Bachelor’s degree in science (preferred)

Tools

MS Office

Laboratory equipment

GIS software

Job description

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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

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.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• 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.

Ability to:

• Conduct bacteriological sampling, field testing, and routine laboratory tests on water samples, including analysis for chlorine, conductivity, temperature, VOCs, SOCs, pH, dissolved oxygen, inorganics, 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.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education, Training, and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Specialized training in water treatment plant operations, or water distribution systems operations
• One (1) year of direct experience in the operations and maintenance of utility plants or water distribution systems.
• Advanced coursework in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field; Bachelor’s degree, from an accredited college or university, preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid State driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Current possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, aTCEQ Water Operator “D” License within 6 months of hire.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular in-person attendance.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Physical Demands:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists; operate a motor vehicle. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 50 pounds unaided. Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus; ability to distinguish color change in chemical testing.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information, and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment:

Water/wastewater treatment plant environment; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, and gases; work with water and/or wastewater; irregular work hours; waste and infectious materials; potentially hazardous equipment, work outside under adverse weather conditions.