Water Quality Technician 2
Category: Classified
Pay Grade: C21
Job Code: 17197
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 administrative, technical, and supervisory work supporting specialized water quality distribution system programs and activities; provides formal supervision of technical staff, and gives direction to subordinates diagnosing, planning, and performing their assigned flushing tasks and associated job duties in monitoring and scheduling water quality assessments connected with the operation of a highly complex urban water distribution system; position is responsible for managing and maintaining all components of a flushing program including regulatory required dead-end flushing, planned uni-directional flushing, nitrification control flushing, and water quality complaint resolution to ensure drinking water is in compliance with federal and state regulations; participates in the review of new or modified water distribution systems components and assists with projects related to potable water infrastructure through flushing and maintaining water quality; plans, and provides technical assistance to operations and maintenance personnel.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)
- Supervises, selects and trains new personnel, prepares work schedules, conducts performance evaluations, manages overtime, and maintains employee time records;
- Coordinates and directs personnel to maintain water quality and assists with projects related to new infrastructure, modifications or improvements of the distribution system;
- Provides leadership of assigned team members; reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
- Establishes, maintains and manages the Water Quality Division Flushing Program to optimize water quality in the water distribution system;
- Approves recommendations for installations of Automatic Flushing Devices (AFD), and new blow-offs to maintain water quality;
- Compiles data for and prepares a variety of required reports and records; applies computer applications to coordinate, track and document activities;
- Implements water distribution flushing plan and procedures using automated technologies for mapping, asset management and other applications; including interpretation of blueprints, plats, maps, aerial photos, and diagrams for new and existing infrastructure;
- Monitors, schedules, tracks, and ensures completion of planned or scheduled preventative/corrective maintenance flushing, projects, and tasks;
- Assists in preparation of the annual budget for assigned section;
- Completes special projects and coordinates special department initiatives;
- Evaluates technical water quality data and historical trends;
- Attends meetings, workshops and training to enhance job knowledge and skills;
- Responds to customer complaints and offers answers to water quality and flushing initiatives;
- Performs other related job duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
High school graduate and four (4) years of skilled utilities field experience which includes at least two (2) years of supervisory experience or crew leadership in a skilled utilities discipline, and responsibility for water delivery systems, water quality monitoring/flushing and related activities; or an Associate’s degree with major course work in environmental, physical, natural, or biological science, or related field plus two (2) years of experience 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.
- Candidate to possess a Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) Class 3 Distribution System Operator License as set forth in Chapter 403, Florida Statutes.
- Candidate to obtain or possess a Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) Class 2 Distribution System Operator License as set forth in Chapter 403, Florida Statutes within 2 years of employment.
- Candidate to acquire and maintain certification in designated areas according to area of assignment.
- Candidate to terminate employment for failure to achieve and maintain necessary training, education, experience, and required license(s) to perform in designated area of assignment.
- Incumbents may also be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, hot equipment (pumps, mufflers, and 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 the principles, practices, and techniques of water distribution system operations, including the basic principles of water treatment;
- Knowledge of conventional, unidirectional, and alternative pipe cleaning and flushing methods;
- Knowledge of drinking water quality characteristics including odor, color, clarity, and disinfectant levels;
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations and recognized safety operating practices for field monitoring activities and safe workplace;
- Knowledge of county and department procedures and guidelines;
- Knowledge of water distribution system hydraulics;
- Ability to schedule, assign, supervise, and evaluate the work of subordinates and establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, supervisors, and others;
- Ability to formulate and present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form;
- Ability to interact tactfully and courteously with the public and other agencies;
- Ability to operate water distribution infrastructure such as valves, fire hydrants, and blow-offs along with the ability to evaluate maintenance requirements;
- Ability to perform flow and water discharge mathematical calculations;
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.
- Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
- Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
- 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.
- Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
- 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.
- Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
- 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.