Water Quality Specialist

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Looking for a career where science meets public service? Join our team to help protect and improve the quality of our community’s drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems through hands-on environmental monitoring, data analysis, and laboratory expertise. The Water Quality Specialist evaluates water quality and plant process data; develops and implements laboratory and field projects; evaluates and audits laboratory practices; and prepares scientific and technical reports, including reports for local, state and federal compliance. This position assumes the duties of quality control for the City’s accredited laboratories. Utilizes computer databases, hydrologic modeling software, and manages datasets. Performs laboratory work, conducts statistical analysis, performs fieldwork for regulatory and environmental monitoring programs and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints regarding water, stormwater, and wastewater. Position must work with a high degree of accuracy since error or negligence may compromise the City's water and wastewater treatment systems, its ability to meet regulatory obligations, as well as have an impact on its water, wastewater and storm water capital improvement programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, natural resource management or related discipline.
• Minimum of two years related laboratory or field experience required.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record.
• Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with external agencies and citizens preferred.
• A combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Researches, develops, implements, monitors and evaluates laboratory and field-testing methods for storm and surface water environmental monitoring programs.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts technical activities as assigned, such as analysis of water resources and operational data related to municipal drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater plant operation.
• Conducts statistical analysis and interprets as needed, including evaluating data trends.
• Prepares work products, such as reports and technical reviews, for regulatory programs, as assigned, to comply with state and federal monitoring requirements for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater.
• Coordinates with other departments, contractors, and utility customers, to meet project needs.
• Writes reports resulting from special project work.
• Coordinates and monitors laboratory quality assurance, including routine review of all laboratory tests performed, review of quality control data to determine acceptability and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, and internal laboratory audits to assist with maintaining state laboratory accreditation.
• Interprets, and communicates standard operating procedures to laboratory and operations staff, adapting to City Operations as necessary.
• Provides technical assistance with air and water quality instrumentation and the implementation of work procedures into daily tasks. This may include sampling, analysis, calibration, and actions needed to ensure data quality.
• Manages database records, including review of electronic records for quality and completeness, and correcting errors in electronic data used for compliance reporting.
• Synthesizes large and complex datasets.
• Investigates and identifies root causes of issues and implements or coordinates resolutions.
• Conducts field monitoring and laboratory analysis for utility programs relating to drinking water, wastewater and surface water.
• Operates and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation; performs a variety of physical, chemical and biological analyses on wastewater, drinking water and surface water samples.
• Performs duties in specialized technical areas, such as special monitoring programs for secondary wastewater treatment, storm water and drinking water as assigned.
• Collects wastewater, drinking water and surface water samples for laboratory testing from identified sites.
• Provides technical input on projects that may influence water quality.
• Responds to citizen inquiries and concerns related to drinking water.
• Handles complaints on specific water quality problems such as taste, odors, etc., and contacts customers regarding test results.
• Responds to data requests utilizing automated report writing software to organize data to parse, compare, tabulate, and summarize data points.
• Participates in public information programs to educate customers.
• Conducts laboratory risk communication, hazardous material management and chemical inventory.
• Assists Technical Supervisor in training laboratory employees and has delegated oversight of their assignments and work product.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature or level.

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours of sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

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