Water Quality Chemist

City of Watsonville•Watsonville, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This recruitment will be used to establish an employment list for future vacancies. The Water Quality Chemist safely and effectively directs and participates in the performance of a variety of laboratory analyses in support of the Public Works and Utilities Department, and maintains the laboratory and its equipment in proper working order. This role performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of drinking water, groundwater, wastewater, and sludge samples. This job class functions at an advanced journey/lead level and is responsible for training, directing, coordinating, and monitoring others in a lead capacity. Receives limited supervision from the Laboratory Manager and Wastewater Treatment Facilities Manager, and exercises lead supervision over the Water Quality Laboratory Technician and subordinate staff.

Requirements

General principles and methods of chemical, biological, and bacteriological tests commonly performed for water/wastewater analyses
Laboratory safety and equipment care and maintenance
Chemicals and equipment used in water quality analyses
Current chemical laboratory procedures, methods, equipment, facilities and materials
Chemical, physical and bacteriological characteristics of drinking water, groundwater, influents, effluents, and drainage waters
Ability to perform a variety of laboratory tests involving the chemical, physical, and biological analyses of water and sludge
Ability to operate, maintain, and calibrate analytical instruments and equipment
Ability to determine appropriate sampling procedures
Ability to interpret laboratory data as acquired
Ability to prepare testing media and reagents
Ability to keep accurate and legible records and prepare clear, concise reports
Ability to train, direct, and monitor the work of others in a lead capacity
Ability to gather appropriate samples for testing and analyses
Ability to bend, stoop, and squat to gather samples
Ability to climb stairs and ladders
Ability to use fine hand manipulation
Ability to use a keyboard effectively
Ability to tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms
Ability to intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding work area and to gather samples
Ability to distinguish colors of certain fluids
Ability to hear adequately to converse on a telephone and in person
Ability to work indoors using near vision for prolonged periods
Ability to work outside, walking on uneven ground
Ability to work with chemicals, influent, bacteria, and landfill gas
Ability to drive an automobile
Ability to climb stairs
Ability to establish and effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a closely related science
Two years experience in a water, wastewater or related laboratory, performing chemical, physical and/or biological analyses
A valid Class C California Driver’s license, including a safe driving record

Nice To Haves

A Grade II Laboratory Analyst Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association or equivalent may be substituted for a Bachelor’s Degree

Responsibilities

Performs and coordinates the performance of a variety of laboratory chemical, biological, and bacteriological analyses to determine wastewater treatment compliance with state and federal agency requirements and for process control
Performs chemical and bacteriological analyses for the Water Division and chemical analyses and gas analysis for the Solid Waste Division
Prepares technical reports and correspondence
Maintains the laboratory and equipment in a clean, neat, and orderly condition; performs quality assurance tests
Performs qualitative and quantitative analyses of drinking water, groundwater, wastewater and sludge samples
Maintains a variety of records related to laboratory tests, operations and sample control; prepares daily and periodic reports on lab data
Collects samples and maintains sampling equipment
Inputs, accesses and analyzes data using a computer
Develops new analytical laboratory procedures
Trains, directs, and monitors the work of plant operations and laboratory technicians in proper and safe laboratory procedures, operations, and analyses
Requisitions laboratory supplies
Keeps abreast of technical changes in equipment and procedures
Prepares chemical reagents, lab supplies, and glassware for use in analyses
Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required