Sr Water Quality Specialist

Position Summary

The Sr. Water Quality Specialist is responsible for activities to help ensure production and distribution of safe water for the public while meeting regulations and customer satisfaction. Work requires thorough knowledge of local, State and Federal drinking water regulation as well as distribution system operation.

• Contributes to WSSC responses to regional inquiries and serves as liaison with regional partner agencies
• Investigates customer complaints, conducts water quality problem investigations, and works with the appropriate staff to identify problems, solutions, and preventive measures. May communicate directly with customers to coordinate investigation and sampling
• Conducts technical analysis of water quality and operational data to support Water Quality Division in developing logical solutions or alternatives to water quality problems, both immediate and long-term
• Conducts complex computational work to analyze historical and current water quality data, including trending and forecasting analysis using spreadsheet and database tools
• Participates in the formulation of Lead and Copper Rule Revisions for both short and long compliance goals of the Commission
• Coordinate across Commission divisions and sections to implement relevant Lead and Copper Rule provisions
• Participates in Lead and Copper Rule Revision compliance activities including but not limited to tap sample collection, customer coordination, progress tracking across divisions/sections, and community outreach
• Contributes in special water quality studies to solve long term problems or prepare for future regulations

• Stays abreast of the latest technical, legal and regulatory developments in the field
• Conduct complex computational work to analyze historical and current water quality data, including trending and forecasting analysis using spreadsheet and database tools
• Provides technical advice/assistance to the Water Quality Manager

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory provisions and ability to interpret regulatory intent on specific issues
• Knowledge of the theories and practices in the fields of chemistry, microbiology, or biochemistry which are applied in water quality investigation and laboratory analysis
• Thorough knowledge of proper laboratory procedures and good laboratory practices (GLP)
• Knowledge of environmental Standard Operating Procedures, EPA Approved Methods and Standard Methods procedures
• Ability to independently identify and work toward resolving complex water quality problems with minimal supervision
• Ability to investigate customer surveillance data and identify source of problems
• Ability to interact with customers and stakeholders regarding water quality complaints in an effective and professional manner; ability to deliver superior customer service, and communicate technical information to a non-technical audience

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science/engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, or related scientific field
• 3 years professional environmental engineering experience related to water supply and treatment/distribution system operation that included laboratory analyses performing wet chemistry testing, microbiology testing, and advanced analyses on water and wastewater
• Experience leading water quality related projects that includes planning and developing protocols and reports

• Graduate degree in in environmental science/engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, or related scientific field
• 5 to 10 years professional environmental engineering experience related to water supply and treatment/distribution system operation that included laboratory analyses performing wet chemistry testing, microbiology testing, and advanced analyses on water and wastewater