Senior Water Quality Technician

Under general supervision of the Utilities Supervisor, the Senior Water Quality Technician ensures the safe and continuing service of the city's water supply. This is accomplished by collecting daily water samples and inspecting water system disinfection levels, performing inspections and investigations of water assets and cross connections, maintaining water quality, providing various forms of administrative service, and interfacing with citizens. This position will coordinate and provide direction to division staff on occasion.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbent(s) in this position. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description and incumbent(s) may be required to perform position-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description.

• Develops and maintains a database and records relating to water quality including spreadsheets, files, maps and other to record dates, locations, test results, etc.

• Performs inspections and investigations of water distribution system; inspects for illegal system connections.

• Inspects and flushes water mains to ensure water quality throughout the distribution system.

• Maintains water quality by obtaining samples from various sites and participating in special projects such as water sampling for unique situations.

• Completes monthly flushing of dead-end mains and maintains flushing reports for unaccounted water and fire hydrant flushing.

• Enters inspection test data results for reports to regulatory agencies (EPA).

• Order and maintains, uses, and safely stores all chemicals and/or hazardous materials required for inspecting water quality.

• Calibrates and maintains all testing equipment and repairs as needed.

• Works closely with the public in the resolution of water quality and water pressure issues.

• Communicates with regulatory agency's (NTMWD, TCEQ, EPA, etc.) during annual inspections and/or to clarify any discrepancy regarding the water system during the normal course of business.

• Monitors TCEQ home page, emails, postings, mailings for new or amended water regulatory rules or compliance requirements to meet time sensitive changes.

• Verifies "TCEQ WATER WATCH" for reporting accuracy, sample schedules, and violations.

• Assists in reporting water quality data for annual water quality report.

• Provides technical expertise and serves as a lead to other Water Quality Technicians.

Other Important Duties:

• Completes sample chain of custody records and delivers samples to laboratories as needed.

• Travels to job sites and to attend meetings, conferences and training.

• Provides support and assistance to other departments as assigned.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work hours is essential.

• Knowledge of all Federal and State regulations regarding water quality sampling, testing and storage of hazardous materials.

• Knowledge and Skill with collecting, scheduling, reporting all required testing to include Bacterial, Water Quality Parameters, Disinfecting

• By

• Products, Unregulated Contaminant Monitory Rule, Lead/Copper Tap, Chloramines

• Knowledge of water reports and forms.

• Knowledge of reporting requirements for Federal, State and Local government agencies.

• Knowledge of occupational safety and health rules, regulations, practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of City policies and procedures.

• Skill in taking water samples for all unique situations.

• Skill in effective oral and written communications.

• Skill in planning and coordinating work site activities.

• Skill in resolving customer complaints and concerns.

• Skill in ability to write reports, prepare business letters and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar.

• Ability to maintain accurate filing system.

• Skill in inspecting, preparing, developing and implementing competent planning techniques to achieve water system improvements/adjustments to achieve optimal distribution with regards to water disinfection.

• Skill in effectively delegating, coordinating and strategizing with departmental personal to implement water distribution adjustments.

Education, Experience, and Certifications:

• High school diploma or GED and four (4) years' progressively responsible related experience in water distribution system inspections and water sample collections.

• Must possess a Class C or greater water distribution license from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

• Customer Service Inspector (CSI) license required within twelve (12) months.

• Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester (BPAT) license preferred or ability to obtain within eighteen (18) months.

• A valid Class A CDL license preferred.

• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, physical agility test, criminal background check and MVR check.

• Must possess a valid State of Texas Driver's License.

• Work is performed in office, residential, commercial and construction site environments.

• May be subject to exposure to extreme temperature conditions.

• Balancing - maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.

• Climbing - ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.

• Crawling - moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.

• Crouching - bending body forward by bending leg, spine.

• Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.

• Fingering - picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.

• Grasping - applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.

• Handling - picking, holding, or working with whole hand.

• Hearing 1 - perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.

• Hearing 2 - receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.

• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.

• Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.

• Mental Acuity - ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.

• Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.

•  Pushing - use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.

• Reaching - extending hands or arms in any direction.

• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.

• Speaking - expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.

• Standing - for sustained periods of time.

• Stooping - bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.

• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word.

• Talking 2 - shouting to be heard above ambient noise.

• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.

• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.

• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.

• Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.

• Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.

• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work Environment:

• Work performed is primarily medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equipment and Tools Utilized:

• Equipment utilized includes light equipment, hand and power tools, electronics and department vehicles.