Water Quality Scientist I - Wastewater (Temp)

City of Loveland • Loveland, CO

23d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Water Quality Scientist I is a skilled position responsible for performing basic and advanced chemical, physical and microbiological analyses on wastewater, source water, and treatment process residuals. The role includes collecting regulatory samples and performing laboratory and field analyses at various locations, including the wastewater treatment facility, collection system, water distribution system, and areas within the watershed. Typical duties include field sampling, laboratory analyses, data entry, report preparation, and scientific project management. The position also requires following established regulatory requirements, quality control procedures, and safety practices. This is a temporary position, working 40 hours per week, for a maximum of 10 months. There is an option for medical coverage only.

Requirements

• 4 Year/ bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field
• 3 years experience in a water, wastewater, or commercial laboratory.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Knowledge of the scientific method, laboratory procedures, and mathematical operations including quantitative analysis and statistical evaluations.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a team-oriented environment to monitor the quality of the raw and treated drinking water, wastewater discharge, and process sludge, and support treatment operations projects and activities.
• Demonstrates knowledge of hazards and safety precautions required in the laboratory and field.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and data management software.
• Demonstrates integrity and builds trust through credibility, reliability, commitment, and ethical behavior.
• Demonstrates support for team efforts by accepting new roles and responsibilities, and helping others achieve objectives.
• Exhibits pride in self, the department, the city, and the community; conducts self in a professional manner.
• Values diversity; demonstrates an awareness of differences; demonstrates sensitivity and adapts behaviors and communication to accommodate these differences.

Nice To Haves

• Some experience in a water or wastewater municipal laboratory.
• Experience in conducting aquatic field and laboratory studies and surveys.
• Clear understanding of water and wastewater processes is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Ensures safety of public health and environment by demonstrating compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations.
• Ensures data integrity, defensibility, and traceability in accordance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Conducts microbiological and chemical analyses on water, wastewater, source water, and sludge samples by strictly following prescribed analytical methods and established protocols.
• Performs standard NPDES permit analyses including but not limited to total suspended solids, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, phosphorus, and E. coli.
• Performs analysis using advanced analytical equipment including but not limited to: GC-MS, ICP-MS, IC, etc.
• Oversees assigned monitoring programs, including planning, execution, data evaluation, and reporting.
• Leads and participates in field surveys, in-stream measurements, reservoir and watershed analytical monitoring programs.
• Assesses algal populations using microscopes, Flowcam and general aquatic health indicators.
• Acts as a subject matter expert for assigned specific analytical procedures.
• Maintains, calibrates, troubleshoots, and repairs both laboratory and field instrumentation and equipment.
• Assists QA/QC staff with implementing any necessary corrective actions and provides additional QA/QC support as needed.
• Provides technical training to and oversight of entry-level laboratory staff.
• Writes standard operating procedures and performs annual procedure reviews.
• Compiles, enters, and reviews technical data using laboratory database software.
• Generates internal and external laboratory reports and prepares weekly data summaries for management review.
• Performs laboratory maintenance and prepares solutions, standards, media, and quality control materials for general use.
• Compiles and interprets data to produce advanced analytical reports and provides regulatory/process improvement recommendations.
• Statistically evaluates and approves analytical data for regulatory and non-regulatory reports and presentations utilizing programs such as R, MATLAB, Python, etc.
• Presents data and study findings and provides recommendations for process improvement.
• Collaborates with operations staff to optimize treatment processes based on analytical data.
• Researches and evaluates new laboratory instrumentation, equipment, and software applications.
• Notifies appropriate personnel of all “out of range” results.
• Purchases laboratory supplies or services, as required.
• Updates and maintains chemical and SDS inventory.
• Maintains a safe working environment and adheres to all established safety protocols.
• Communicates with customers to relay analytical results and address customer inquiries as needed.
• May be required to respond to emergency situations, including water quality incidents, spills, or treatment upsets, and may occasionally be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.
• Responds to questions from plant operations staff.
• May provide functional leadership in the absence of the supervisor including, but not limited to, programmatic backup and regulatory reporting.
• Participates on departmental committees and workgroups, as assigned.
• Attends meetings, conferences, and training sessions to remain current with changes in regulatory and industry protocols, as assigned.
• Participates in personal growth opportunities and attends training sessions designed to enhance capacity to bring new skills and ideas to the job and the organization.
• Works to continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the service or product being delivered.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Retirement – 457 Plan (employee funded plan)
• Medical Leave – Accrue 1 hour of leave per 30 hours worked (up to 48 hours)
• Employees working more than 30 hours per week are eligible to enroll in one of our 2 medical plan options (per the ACA)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level