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Water Quality Management Specialist 1

Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C21
Job Code: 1719

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

JOB SUMMARY

Performs highly technical and professional work covering tasks and responsibilities related to implementing water quality management programs; specializes in collection and analysis projects in managing and monitoring potable water resources for the County, compliance with the Clean Water Act and the Safe Drinking Water Act by monitoring, inspecting, sampling, and evaluating data, and enforcement of regulations and codes related to the protection of public health and the environment as related to the quality of groundwater, surface water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and potable water. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

  • Processes and sorts samples collected and preliminarily reviews and analyzes data;
  • Responds to customer complaints, investigates complaints, re-samples and analyzes results, and explains procedures to customer;
  • May participate in special collection system, distribution system, surface water monitoring, ground water monitoring, and hydrologic studies;
  • Assists businesses, contractors, developers, engineers, and the public with interpretation of environmental regulations and compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, codes, and regulations;
  • May collect and maintain technical environmental data, interpret the results of laboratory tests, evaluate ecological and environmental impact, and develop reports on specialized studies;
  • Operates, calibrates, and cleans technical field sampling and monitoring equipment;
  • Conducts sampling and field investigations for water quality programs including the operation, calibration and routine maintenance of specialized sampling apparatus and pollution control testing and monitoring equipment;
  • Prepares and may serve fine citations and other applicable enforcement actions;
  • May conduct facility inspections related to the Industrial Pretreatment Program and Grease Management Program;
  • Performs all water quality monitoring in accordance with the Comprehensive Quality Assurance Plan to ensure all data is scientifically valid and legally defensible;
  • Upon approval, orders monitoring, and sampling equipment and supplies needed to accomplish projects;
  • Maintains record books, charts, graphs, logs, and chain of custody records;
  • May be periodically required to be placed on stand-by and respond to emergency situations;
  • May appear as an expert witness;
  • Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

An Associate’s degree with major course work in environmental, physical, natural or biological science or related field plus two (2) years of experience in field water quality monitoring experience; or a Bachelor’s degree with major coursework as described above; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.  

Special Qualifications (May be required depending on area of assignment):

  • Florida Driver’s License or Florida Commercial Driver’s License and endorsement, if any.
  • Assignment to work a variety of work schedules including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
  • Employee to obtain and possess a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Water or Wastewater Plant Operator Class “C” License as set forth in Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-602, DEP describing Water or Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Water Distribution System Operators license.
  • Employee to acquire and maintain certification in designated areas according to area of assignment.
  • Employee to terminate employment for failure to achieve and maintain necessary training, education, experience, and required license(s) to perform in designated area of assignment.
  • Employee to perform under working conditions that require climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.  Incumbents may also be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, hot equipment (pumps, mufflers, engines), inclement weather, vibrations, fumes, odors, dust, poor ventilation, low lighting, intense noise and travel.
  • Other knowledge, skills, abilities, and credentials required for a specific position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of environmental related codes, laws, rules, ordinances, and regulations, and the principles of environmental pollution control and protection of public health;
  • Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and instruments of water quality analysis;
  • Knowledge of routine laboratory equipment, procedures, and cleanliness requirements;
  • Knowledge of mathematics and natural, physical, and biological sciences;
  • Knowledge of scientific research techniques including the collection of sampling data and preparation of environmental reports;
  • Knowledge of OSHA regulations and recognized safety operating practices for field monitoring activities, safe workplace, and laboratory work;
  • Ability to apply computer applications and software;
  • Ability to adjust, operate, maintain, and calibrate laboratory, field monitoring, and sampling equipment;
  • Ability to perform standard laboratory examinations and tests according to accepted methods and procedures;
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, plats, maps, aerial photos, and diagrams;
  • Ability to prepare reports and interpret laboratory results;
  • Ability to operate basic computerized data analysis equipment;
  • Ability to swim and operate small watercraft may be required, based upon area of assignment;
  • Ability to testify in court as an expert witness;
  • Ability to formulate and present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral or graphic form;
  • Ability to use or repair small, medium, and heavy equipment and machinery.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

The work is medium work which requires 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.  Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

  • Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
  • Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
  • Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
  • Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
  • Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  • Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
  • Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
  • Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
  • Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward.
  • Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
  • Visual ability: Sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
  • Hearing ability: Sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
  • Speaking ability: Sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
  • Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
  • Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
  • Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
  • Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
  • Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.