Quality Assurance Assistant, Austin Water

City of Austin

3d•$31 - $39•Onsite

About The Position

For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1,000,000 people in the Austin metropolitan area, across more than 548 square miles. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we’re not just keeping up—we’re leading the way with sustainable infrastructure, advanced treatment technology, and environmental innovation. Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants. Purpose: This position is responsible for assisting in planning and directing Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs and strategies to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations within laboratory. Implements policies, procedures, and systems to maintain and enhance performance of the organization and division. Duties, Functions and Responsibilities: Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Reviews Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs. Assists in administering Quality Assurance/Quality Control Programs. Researches, develops, implements, and maintains QA/QC and standard operating procedures. Reviews and approves work of other analysts. Provides technical expertise on an ongoing basis. Assists in developing and managing quality control initiatives. Conducts audits. Reviews and interprets policies, codes and regulations. Assists in developing and maintaining program policy documentation. Develops and conducts technical training for Division staff and other laboratory customers. Provides guidance and recommendations in budget development. Reviews and recommends specifications for technical instrumentation and contracts. Assists in evaluating bid proposals and managing contracts. Assumes QA officer responsibilities in their absence. Performs internal audits; perform quality assessments of data produced without outside influence and document corrective actions. Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised: May provide leadership, guidance and/or technical support to others.

Requirements

Knowledge of Bacteriological, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry methods for which data is performed.
Knowledge of the NELAC standard.
Knowledge of water and wastewater analytical methods.
Ability to work independently and have analytical problems skills.
Ability to produce SOP documents.
Ability to review data and QC parameters accurately.
Ability to keep track of training documentation.
Ability to compile and submit reports.
Ability to interact well with diverse workforce.
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Chemical, Environmental, or Biological Sciences, with 24 hours of coursework being in Chemistry only or 16 hours of Chemistry, plus 16 hours of Biology/Microbiology combination with a minimum of one (1) hour of each.
Four (4) years of experience in a field related to drinking water or environmental water quality analyses with experience in the use of computerized analytical instrumentation.
A Master’s or doctoral degree in one of the above disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
Valid Texas Class "C" Driver's License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date.
External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite.
To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Nice To Haves

Experience reviewing technical documents and data for accuracy and QC compliance.
Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Experience working in a water or wastewater laboratory, preferably with TNI accreditation.
Experience writing and reviewing technical SOP’s.
Experience with the assessment process of a TNI accredited laboratory.
Experience using Qualtrax or an equivalent quality assurance software.
Experience with Horizon or an equivalent LIMS system.
Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Responsibilities

Reviews Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs.
Assists in administering Quality Assurance/Quality Control Programs.
Researches, develops, implements, and maintains QA/QC and standard operating procedures.
Reviews and approves work of other analysts.
Provides technical expertise on an ongoing basis.
Assists in developing and managing quality control initiatives.
Conducts audits.
Reviews and interprets policies, codes and regulations.
Assists in developing and maintaining program policy documentation.
Develops and conducts technical training for Division staff and other laboratory customers.
Provides guidance and recommendations in budget development.
Reviews and recommends specifications for technical instrumentation and contracts.
Assists in evaluating bid proposals and managing contracts.
Assumes QA officer responsibilities in their absence.
Performs internal audits; perform quality assessments of data produced without outside influence and document corrective actions.
May provide leadership, guidance and/or technical support to others.