Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience: - Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Chemical, Environmental, or Biological Sciences, plus four (4) years of progressive experience in a field related to water quality testing.
- A master’s or doctoral degree in one of the above disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
For Organics and Metals Testing Specialty:
Major coursework must include 24 semester hours of Chemistry
For Microbiology Testing Specialty:
Major coursework must include 16 semester hours of Biology and Microbiology combined with a minimum of one hour of each to fulfill the combination and 16 semester hours of Chemistry.
For Wetchemistry Testing Specialty:
Major coursework must include the educational requirements stated in either one of the above specialties.
Licenses or Certifications: - Valid Texas Class “C” Driver License
- For Analysts in the Water Quality Laboratory, must obtain a Class D Water Operator License from TCEQ within six months
Notes to Applicants
This position is responsible for leading and training employees, reviewing data, troubleshooting instruments, producing reports, and performing the analytical testing on water and wastewater sample in a TNI accredited lab.Retention Incentive Bonus:
This position may be eligible for an Incentive Bonus of up to
$3,000! - $500 after 90 days
- $500 after 180 days
- $1,000 after 1 year
- $1,000 after 2 years
Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more - click
HERE for more information.
When completing the City of Austin employment application: - Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Please refer to the preferred qualifications listed in this posting when completing the “Duties and Responsibilities” section for each job listed on your application, describing which preferred qualifications are applicable for that position including any preferred software used.
- A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in a concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position. If a cover letter as described above is not attached, the application will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
If you are selected as a top candidate: - A copy of your college transcript will be requested to verify required Chemistry, Biology, and Microbiology hours. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
Driving Requirement:This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the
City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Secondary Employment: - All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
- AW must review all secondary employment.
- Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering Secondary Employment.
Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
$30.29 - $37.86 per hour
Hours
Monday through Friday
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., plus holiday work as needed.
This position is considered “essential” and may be required to report to work during periods of bad weather.
Job Close Date 07/09/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 7113 FM 969, Austin TX 78724 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience: - Experience in a laboratory setting including troubleshooting laboratory equipment, preventative maintenance, method development, and analytical training of lab personnel.
- Knowledge and experience of regulations as they pertain to the drinking water/wastewater/biosolids industry.
- Experience reviewing quality assurance / quality control requirements in a TNI accredited laboratory.
- Experience working with laboratory databases such as Horizon or another LIMS database.
- Prior experience working in an Austin Water laboratory or other water / wastewater / biosolids utility laboratory.
- Experience in the operation of a GC-MS.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
1. Drive to various sites throughout the city including schools, wastewater plants and area water ways to train staff in sample collection protocol
2. Develop and conduct technical training for division staff and other laboratory customer
3. Review and approve work of other analysts.
4. Research, develop, implement, and maintain QA/QC and standard operating procedures.
5. Prepare and analyze water, wastewater or environmental samples.
6. Evaluate samples to determine appropriate methodology for analysis.
7. Maintain Chain of Custody process.
8. Follow strict analytical and documentation protocols.
9. Evaluate, verify, interpret, and prepare detailed reports, verbally and in writing. Notify appropriate staff of non-compliant or out of spec results.
10. Perform trend analyses and notify appropriate staff in the case of unusual changes.
11. Operate, maintain, calibrate and troubleshoot analytical/miscellaneous instrumentation. Research and develop specifications for technical instrumentation.
12. Perform proficiency tests and other quality assurance procedures.
13. Coordinate and ensure the performance of proficiency testing and QA procedures by staff.
14. Prepare reagents and/or media.
15. Assist in evaluating bid proposals.
16. Conduct Corrective Action investigations for PT and QA/QC failures/lapses.
17. Develop and implement new analytical methods.
18. Assist in development and participate in engineering studies and/or research projects.
19. May be required to testify regarding analyses performed.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
Provides leadership on work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others. Function as technical lead and/or coordinator of activities to meet project guidelines.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of the theory and application of organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry and instrumental analyses including Gas Chromatography, Mass/Emission Spectrometry, Ultraviolet analysis and other instrument analyses.
- Knowledge of water quality analyses.
- Knowledge of applicable regulatory mandates.
- Knowledge of Federal, State and local laws.
- Knowledge of city practices, policy and procedures.
- Skill in interpreting and analyzing data.
- Skill in problem solving.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
- Skill in using computers and related software.
- Skill in communicating verbally and in writing.
- Ability to lead others.
- Ability to deliver training.
- Skill in planning and organizing
- Ability to establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other agencies and City departments.
Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental QuestionsRequired fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Water Quality Scientist Senior are: graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to Chemical, Environmental, or Biological Sciences, plus four (4) years of progressive experience in a field related to water quality testing. A master’s or doctoral degree in one of the above disciplines may be substituted for one (1) year of experience. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?
* This position requires a testing specialty in one of the following areas: Organics and Metals Testing: 24 semester hours of Chemistry. Microbiology Testing: 16 semester hours of Biology and Microbiology combined with a minimum of one hour of each to fulfill the combination and 16 semester hours of Chemistry. Wet Chemistry Testing: includes the educational requirements stated in either one of the above specialties. List the college level courses you have taken in Chemistry, Biology, and Microbiology. Be sure to include the name of each course and the number of credit hours your received for each course.
(Open Ended Question)
* How many years of experience do you have in a field related to drinking water or wastewater testing with a concentration in wet chemistry?
- Less than one (1) year
- One (1) to three (3) years
- Three (3) to five (5) years
- More than five (5) years
* How many years of experience do you have performing analytical training of lab personnel?
- None
- Less than one (1) year
- One (1) to two (2) years
- Two (2) to three (3) years
- Three (3) to four (4) years
- Four (4) to five (5) years
- More than five (5) years
* Select the following you have experience with (select all that apply):
- Working in a TNI (The NELAC Institute) laboratory
- Working in a municipal (water or wastewater) laboratory
- Following TCEQ or EPA regulations
- Reviewing quality assurance / quality control requirements
- Testing drinking water matrices
- Testing wastewater matrices
- Using Horizon LIMS or other similar LIMS databases
- Method development
- None of the above
* Do you have experience troubleshooting and maintaining any of the laboratory equipment you selected in the previous question? (Select all that apply)
- Experience with troubleshooting
- Experience performing preventative maintenance
- Experience operating the equipment
- None of the above
* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?
* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that external new hires meet the City's Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three (3) moving violations or a total of six (6) Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?
* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)
Select the following instrumentation you have experience using (Select all of that apply)
- Auto-Analyser
- TOC analyzer
- Spectrophoto meter
- pH meter
- DO meter
- ISE meter
- Turbidimeter
- Colorimeter
- GS - MS
- None of the above
Optional & Required DocumentsRequired Documents Cover Letter Resume
Optional Documents
