Water Quality Specialist

Position Description

Does your dream role include being a part of a great team, interacting with the public, autonomy to schedule your work for the day, and knowing that your work has a direct impact on helping to ensure safe and reliable water for customers? If so, then Water Quality Specialist may be the role for you!

Tacoma Water is creating an eligible list for Water Quality Specialist. Water Quality Specialists perform a variety of technical and complex regulatory compliance duties including investigating and resolving customer complaints concerning water quality; water sampling and monitoring of distribution systems for chemical and bacteriological analysis; administering water quality monitoring programs, wellhead protection and public outreach efforts; and, inspecting new and existing water service connections for compliance with cross connection control regulations.

Responsibilities Include:

• Receive, investigate and resolve customer complaints and trouble calls regarding water quality
• Complex cross connection inspection and plan review
• Coordinate with building departments, engineers, architects, contractors and customers concerning cross-connection control requirements
• Coordinate and implement various drinking water programs, including but not limited to cross-connection control, wellhead protection, water main flushing, drinking water monitoring such as coliform, organic, inorganic and radionuclides
• 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 and chemical analyses on drinking water and surface water samples, obtain chlorine residual, turbidity, fluoride or other water quality measurements
• Operate, maintain, repair and calibrate fluoride, turbidity, pH and chlorine analyzers
• 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
• 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
• Prepare purchase requisitions for water quality program requirements;

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent education related to the technical aspects of water quality such as sampling procedures, familiarity with field test kits and laboratory procedures, familiarity with drinking water quality regulations; OR
  
• Two (2) years of relevant technical experience involving drinking water quality.
  

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS AND OTHER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS:
Valid Washington State Driver’s License
Valid Washington State certificate of competency as a Cross-Connection Specialist (CCS) prior to probation completion with maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge & Skills

• Theory and operation of water supply and distribution systems.
• Principles, practices and methods used in water quality control and water treatment.
• Engineering mathematics.
• Chemistry as applied to water treatment.
• Technical aspects of field of specialty.
• Knowledge of and experience in confined space entry procedures.
• Operation of a personal computer.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Sample water for a variety of water quality parameters.
• Effectively use and maintain field test kits and equipment.
• Interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Maintain accurate records.
• Plan and organize work.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Ability to interpret and apply codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Communicate clearly both orally and in writing.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
All interested individuals should apply online and attach a cover letter and detailed resume that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the supplemental questions scored. Applicants must receive a passing score to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration. Applicants whose experience and training most closely reflect the needs of the department may be invited to participate in an interview.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check and a pre-employment medical exam and drug screen. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and the Local 483. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4pm on the closing date.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/17/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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