What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Quality Specialist position at Tacoma Public Utilities?
Position Description
The rate of pay is based on a collective bargaining agreement that expired on December 31, 2024. The City of Tacoma and IBEW Local 483 are currently engaged in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
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
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
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.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $40.05- $48.68
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma
Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.
For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
Communication with the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should 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 email folders.
The rate of pay is based on a collective bargaining agreement that expired on December 31, 2024. The City of Tacoma and IBEW Local 483 are currently engaged in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
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;
- 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.
- Valid Washington State certificate of competency as a Cross-Connection Specialist (CCS)
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.
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.
Compensation & Benefits
Pay Details:
Hourly Rate: $40.05- $48.68
Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma
Get Assistance
For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.
For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.
Communication with the City of Tacoma
We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should 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 email folders.
Salary : $40 - $49