Water Quality Specialist

City of Gig Harbor•Gig Harbor, WA

10h•$38 - $48•Onsite

About The Position

The water quality specialist performs a variety of technical and complex regulatory compliance duties including inspections of new and existing water service connections for compliance with contamination and cross connection control, administers the City’s Cross Connection Backflow Program, testing and maintaining the city’s backflow assemblies, water sampling and monitoring of distribution systems for chemical and bacteriological analysis, investigation and resolving of complaints of customers concerning water quality. Administers water quality monitoring programs, wellhead protection and public outreach efforts.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Washington State Department of Health Cross Connection Specialist Certification
Washington State Department of Health Backflow Assembly Tester Certification.
State flagging card or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
First Aid/CPR card or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
A valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire) and two years of driving experience.
A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements.
Ability to pass position relevant pre-employment screening.
Ability to pass pre-employment medical exam and maintain a level of physical fitness necessary to perform the essential job functions.
Knowledge of: Material, methods, practices, and techniques commonly used in construction, maintenance, and repair activities as related to water and road construction.
General principles of water system operation, repair, and maintenance.
Work hazards, safety standards and procedures, and OSHA/WISHA regulations.
Asset management program, Cartegraph.
Computer-based systems including telemetry systems, Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) programs, and ability to adjust them with the supervision of public works superintendent’s, or their designee’s, supervision.
Backflow assembly tracking program, Swift Comply.
Confined space entry practices.
Utilization and care of materials and equipment.
Ability to: Communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, verbally in-person and by phone, and in writing.
Interact with the public in an effective, customer-friendly manner and establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the community, co-workers, and people from other organizations.
Work independently and make appropriate decisions regarding work methods and priorities, while demonstrating a strong sense of personal ethics and professional judgment and discretion.
Assist others to comply with standards and/or contract terms.
Quickly adjust priorities as new issues and/or assignments arise.
Show initiative in performing job functions.
Meet project deadlines may require working more than forty hours per week.
Wear protective clothing and equipment such as rain and snow gear, hard hat, hearing protection, respirators, boots, goggles, and gloves.
Skill in: Operating compressors, pneumatic tools, hand tools, paint equipment, power tools, and other tools and equipment used in water utility maintenance.
Operating flatbed, light duty trucks, backhoe, street sweeper, dump truck, skid steer, bucket truck, eductor truck, and other vehicles and heavy equipment as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working for a public works department at a government agency preferred.
General experience with tools and equipment such as light duty or flat truck, shovel, rake, posthole digger, compactor, chainsaw etc.
General experience with tools and equipment such as eductor truck, backhoe, dump truck preferred.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Commercial Class A Washington State Driver’s License (CDL) with a Tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within 12 months following the end of probation preferred.
Forklift Operators License or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

Administers the city’s Cross Connection Control and Backflow program to ensure that all water service connections comply with the Washington State Department of Health and City of Gig Harbor cross connection and backflow requirements.
Test and maintain city’s backflow assemblies and log test results in city’s backflow data base.
Receive and investigate customer complaints and trouble calls regarding water quality including complex issues, commercial and residential buildings, determine probable cause, recommends corrective action, and problem resolution
Complex cross connection inspection and plan review, including residential, commercial and industrial: review construction documents or plans to insure compliance with all cross connection control regulations, determine backflow assembly requirements, inspect new and existing premises for adherence to all applicable cross connection regulations; maintain database, compose correspondence, and advise customers and contractors on cross connection control regulations
Maintain accurate field records for water quality monitoring, collect water samples for water quality analysis, operate and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation, perform a variety of physical, chemical and biological analyses on drinking water samples, make chlorine residual, iron and manganese, turbidity or other water quality measurements
Use various computer programs, databases and spreadsheets to validate, analyze and manage data and to generate technical reports and related correspondence for water quality monitoring programs and cross connection control programs
Coordinate with other agencies and regulatory bodies on implementation and changes in programs affecting water quality
Operate a variety of equipment and machinery such as personal and laptop computer, radio, cell phone, digital camera, calculator and various water quality testing equipment
Coordinate with City department, personnel and customers concerning water quality operations
Prepare purchase requisitions for water quality program requirements
Completes water sampling.
Operates and safely uses various hand and power tools.
Operates equipment such as forklifts, cranes, portable generators, pumps, pressure washers, and related equipment.
Stores, accounts for, and safely handles hazardous chemicals per Safety Data Sheets and safety practices.
May perform duties across all disciplines of the public works operations division.
Uses a computer or tablet to effectively utilize the city’s asset management and maintenance program (Cartegraph).
Accurately completes water service requests.
Reviews plans and approves plumbing permits and business licenses pertaining to cross connection requirements.
Participates in required continuing education and training programs related to public water systems.
May assist in training of lesser-experienced staff.
Performs administrative work as assigned.
Supports water operators in the operation of the city’s eductor truck.
Maintains punctual and reliable attendance.