Water Quality Specialist Senior

City of Great Falls; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Great Falls is seeking a qualified Water Quality Laboratory Analyst to support sampling, analysis, and reporting for drinking water. You will follow EPA methods, collect samples, and interpret results to ensure safety and compliance.

The role encompasses QA oversight, regulatory reporting, training, equipment maintenance, and cross-department collaboration. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related field and two years of lab experience are required, with Montana certifications

Qualifications

• Pass Montana Class I Water Treatment Plant Operator certification within 1 year and full certification within 2.5 years.
• Montana Water Laboratory Technician certification or ability to obtain within one year.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements related to water treatment and lab analysis.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage work effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Collect samples throughout the plant and distribution system for microbiological and chemical analysis.
• Analyze water samples for target bacteria and ensure data quality per QA/QC parameters.
• Prepare treatment process reports to meet regulatory requirements and education materials for the public.
• Maintain and calibrate laboratory and process equipment; manage inventory of chemicals and supplies.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to plant staff; support safety programs and audits.
• Assist with public notifications and ensure regulatory compliance across departments.

Skills

Strong Technical & Problem-Solving

Self-Motivated Initiative

Exceptional Customer Service

Collaboration Across Departments

Communication

Organizational Skills

Risk Evaluation

Strong Analytical Skills

Data Interpretation & Accuracy

Documentation & Reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, bacteriology, microbiology, or related field

Two years of relevant laboratory and quality assurance experience

Combination of education and experience considered

Tools

Laboratory Instruments

Job description

Sampling and Analyzing Samples (30%)

• Follows EPA’s standard analytical methods and guidelines to ensure that data produced meets quality control requirements.
• Evaluates and develops new analytical methods and procedures to ensure compliance with EPA and DEQ approved method requirements and water quality standards.
• Collects samples throughout the plant and distribution system for the analysis of various microbiological and chemical constituents.
• Collects samples for analysis to satisfy the discharge monitoring report.
• Analyzes and interprets water samples for the presence/absence of target bacteria.
• Performs coliform and E. coli sampling for the public, as well as main replacement projects.
• Investigates customer complaints by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting water quality samples to identify issues and implement appropriate resolutions.

Records Keeping and Reporting for Regulatory Compliance (30%)

• Serves as the Laboratory QA Officer. Validates and evaluates data produced by laboratory personnel to ensure compliance with method specific quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) parameters.
• Initiates and implements required performance evaluation studies for laboratory personnel to maintain methods and laboratory certifications with regulatory agencies.
• Prepares treatment process reports to meet state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Maintains thorough knowledge of LCRI to perform the distribution of required public notification documentation, public education materials, and other miscellaneous documentation.
• Coordinates with other City departments to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Assists in preparation of public notification and information shared with the public.
• Prepares bi-annual Consumer Confidence Reports to educate the public about the quality of their drinking water and the steps being taken to ensure safety of the water.

Training and Advising on Water Quality Parameters (20%)

• Assists in determining and adjusting chemical feed rates for water treatment to ensure the consistent production of drinking water that meets stringent standards for safety, quality, palatability, and visual clarity.
• Advises supervisors, City officials, and the public regarding regulatory compliance.
• Maintains ongoing training related to required laboratory qualifications.
• Participates in laboratory and water plant performance audits.
• Provides technical support and training for laboratory and plant personnel.
• Assist with andpromotes all Laboratory safety programs and procedures, ensuring compliance and fostering a strong culture of safety. Provides guidance, training, and mentorship to other plant staff while collaborating with other staff to identify risks, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement across all facility operations.

Maintains and Calibrates Laboratory and Process Equipment (20%)

• Procures all materials and maintains a working stock of all laboratory and process control equipment, and chemical inventories.
• Cleans, maintains, repairs and calibrates laboratory and process control equipment to ensure proper performance, efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintains and adheres to strict quality control and quality assurance programs for the laboratory.

• A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, bacteriology, microbiology, or a related field.
• Two years of relevant laboratory and quality assurance experience.
• A combination of equivalent education and experience will be considered.

NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS

• Pass the Montana Class I Water Treatment Plant Operator certification within 1 year and be fully certified within 2.5 years.
• Montana Water Laboratory Technician certification or ability to obtain within one year of employment.

• Knowledge of City and department policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with the chemical, physical, and microbiological principles of water quality analysis and water treatment processes.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, and regulations related to water treatment and laboratory analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage work effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to perform mathematical computations.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory techniques and reporting, as well as equipment used in water testing, including maintenance and calibration.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and evaluate and resolve problems with laboratory procedures and process equipment.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong Technical & Problem-Solving Skills
• Self-Motivated Initiative
• Exceptional Customer Service Skills
• Collaboration Across and Within Departments or Divisions

• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Risk Evaluation
• Strong analytical skills
• Data Interpretation and Accuracy
• Documentation and Reporting Precision

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

While this position does not supervise employees, it provides technical leadership and oversight of laboratory operations to ensure accurate data production, regulatory compliance, and consistent adherence to quality standards and control.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed in a lab setting within the Water Plant with periodic field sampling required at off-site locations, construction/industrial sites and in customers’ homes. Duties routinely involve working in proximity to water treatment chemicals and related materials. Some tasks require entering or working in confined spaces. The work environment may include elevated noise levels and other conditions typical of industrial settings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required toperform heavy physical work and be able to lift and carry up to 75 pounds at a time. Employee must have the ability to stand, walk, sit, climb, bend, twist, reach, crawl, grasp, pinch, pull and perform similar body movements. Employee must possess hand/eye coordination. Must be able to efficiently operate a computer, various laboratory equipment and drive a motor vehicle. Employee must be able to talk and hear in person or by telephone or two-way radio and see and read instructions and reports.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

The work week is Sunday through Saturday with a typical 40-hour work schedule performed Monday through Friday. Employees are expected to be in their designated work area, dressed and ready to work at the start time. This position is non-exempt and eligible for overtime. Overtime may be required and must be authorized by the Water Treatment Branch Manager prior to working.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day. Occasional travel may be required to attend off-site training, educational opportunities and for sample collection.