Water Quality Specialist

City of Leander•Leander, TX

About The Position

Performs moderately complex, journey-level work assisting with daily operation and maintenance of water distribution systems and completing tasks related to water quality compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The position administers the City's water quality and sampling programs, ensures work quality and compliance with established policies and procedures, and performs technical duties in the assigned area. The employee works under general supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and must be available for on-call rotation. The regular schedule is Monday through Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The role includes collecting and testing water samples, monitoring the distribution system and treatment processes, maintaining records and supplies, responding to customer concerns and emergency call-outs, and operating treatment and field equipment. Employees must follow safety procedures and use City-provided uniforms and personal protective equipment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Three years of hands-on utility plant operations, water distribution system maintenance, or related work experience.
Valid Texas Class C driver's license or equivalent from another state.
TCEQ Class C Water Distribution License.
Basic first aid certificate, or ability to obtain one within one year of hire.
Ability to work hours outside the regular daytime schedule, including shifts, on-call duty, emergency response, early mornings, afternoons, evenings, late nights, and weekends.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, follow detailed verbal and written instructions, and interact courteously and diplomatically with employees and the public.
Ability to attend and understand technical courses and maintain appropriate licenses and certifications.
Ability to work safely and follow safety procedures, including use of required safety equipment.
Ability to wear the City-provided uniform and personal protective equipment, including steel-toed leather boots, gloves, eye protection, head protection, a safety vest, and ear protection.
Knowledge of water distribution systems, water quality testing techniques, water quality testing, EPA-approved standards, personnel policies and procedures, and mathematical practices.
Skill in prioritizing critical tasks.
Ability to operate heavy vehicular construction equipment and related tools and equipment, including dump trucks, bucket lift trucks, trenchers, ventilating and hydraulic equipment, hand and electric tools, jackhammers, sewer rodding machines, tapping machines, air compressors, pumps, signs and traffic signals, mowers, clippers, sandblasters, jet cleaners, motor graders, backhoes, chainsaws, shovels, two-way radios, and computers.
Knowledge of Texas Motor Vehicle Code requirements related to light and heavy motorized equipment and traffic-control procedures in construction zones.
Ability to stand, walk, sit, handle objects, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, and talk, hear, taste, or smell as required by the job.
Ability to occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds and push, pull, or drag up to 150 pounds.
Required visual abilities include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Four years of related hands-on utility plant operations, water distribution system maintenance, or related work experience.

Responsibilities

Create, implement, and coordinate water quality programs and establish testing and monitoring plans to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Prepare and organize sampling bottles, containers, and tracking documents; collect samples from the distribution system and water treatment plants.
Collect liquid and semi-liquid samples and perform routine laboratory and process-control tests, including dissolved oxygen, stability, microscopic evaluation, alkalinity, fluoride, hardness, specific conductance, turbidity, chlorine residual, pH, and carbon dioxide.
Deliver samples to the laboratory, ensure sample documentation is complete and correct, and monitor sampling schedules to ensure timely completion.
Monitor disinfectant residuals in the distribution system, storage-tank water levels, pump operations, and pump run times; submit monthly reports and samples.
Monitor sampling supplies and maintain sufficient inventory for the sampling program.
Operate water and/or wastewater treatment equipment and machinery, vehicles, lawn mowers, laboratory equipment, hand and power tools, and office equipment.
Flush the distribution system and maintain flushing records.
Review statistical data for regulatory compliance; organize, compile, and store water quality laboratory reports in hard-copy and digital formats.
Inspect sample sites and perform repairs or upgrades as needed.
Investigate, diagnose, and seek resolution to customer complaints and inquiries about water taste, odor, pressure, and physical characteristics.
Respond to water quality call-outs during or after business hours and be available for emergency call-outs, on-call rotation, and special events.
Maintain fire hydrants.
Perform other duties as assigned.