Water Quality Technician III
Water Quality Technician III
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Salary Not Disclosed
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Its a great time to join the City of Boulder!
Application Deadline:
May 26 2025Compensation Details:
Hiring Range27.96 40.55This is a fulltime hourly position.Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40Benefit Eligibility Group:
BMEA (20 Hours)Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.
Job Description Summary:
JOB OVERVIEW (Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratories)Under general direction the Water Quality Technician III provides an essential role in supporting water utility operations and compliance. This position collects water quality samples conducts basic and advanced laboratory analyses performs equipment and instrument maintenance performs data management and analysis.
Job Description:
DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER LABORATORIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Performs water quality sampling
- Following standard methods and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) guidelines collects water quality samples including surface water drinking water wastewater stormwater industrial pretreatment and biosolids.
- Prepares and calibrates field equipment and sampling kits.
- Coordinates individual and team sampling schedules to meet regulatory requirements special studies or other goals.
- Troubleshoots and resolves equipment problems through repairs in the lab or field.
- Conducts laboratory analyses
- Performs basic and advanced chemical and microbiological testing on water stormwater wastewater industrial wastewater and biosolids samples. Instruments include benchtop equipment ion chromatography (IC) spectrophotometer total organic carbon (TOC) analyzer and ammonia analyzer among others.
- Enters and reviews results in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database Sample Master.
- Calibrates maintains and repairs laboratory and field instruments and equipment.
- Performs laboratory housekeeping and dishwashing to maintain clean and organized lab glassware equipment and facilities.
- Performs equipment and materials ordering including tracking inventory and anticipating needs to ensure the labs are fully stocked.
- Implements lab QA/QC processes
- Adheres to the procedures and guidelines outlined in the Laboratory Quality Assurance Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan and recommends improvements and adjustments to lab processes as needed to ensure quality and safety requirements are met.
- Evaluates data generated for accuracy quality and compliance with the quality assurance program.
- Ensures written Standard Operating Procedures for analyses are current and in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and performs and supports updates as needed.
- Maintains records that meet QA/QC and chain of custody documentation requirements for laboratory certification and proficiency testing.
- Collaborates with other staff to meet QA/QC goals and manage workload.
- Enters and analyzes water quality data
- Uses various software programs to enter store analyze and report on water quality results. Programs commonly used include Microsoft Excel HachWIMS and Sample Master.
- Enters data into Sample Master in timely fashion and uses Excel importers and exporters to support Sample Master.
- Analyzes results for compliance with applicable regulations and to characterize conditions.
- Communicates results and findings both verbally and in written form for operations and other city staff.
- Other Duties
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Provides training for new analysts and field samplers as needed.
- Responds to the publics questions and complaints explains city policy and procedures conducts lab tours and resolves problems as necessary.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self others materials and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to clearly communicate technical information to a variety of audiences in written and verbal form and provide technical assistance and training.
- Ability to demonstrate a high degree of integrity and attention to detail.
- Ability to lift and carry equipment and supplies (e.g. a canoe for sampling coolers filled with ice and water samples).
- Ability to manage office laboratory and field work to meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities and evolving approaches.
- Ability to model strong customer service by being patient and empathetic.
- Ability to receive candid feedback and participate in open dialogue with colleagues to work through conflict and differences of opinion.
- Ability to work effectively on a team and individually to perform work in an accurate and efficient manner following standard procedures with minimal supervision.
- Knowledge of fundamental concepts in analytical chemistry and instrumentation.
- Knowledge of laboratory QA/QC processes basic chemical handling and lab safety.
- Skill in basic wet chemistry and/or microbiology water quality analyses and knowledge of advanced instrumentation such as an IC TOC analyzer or equivalent.
- Skill in collecting water quality samples.
- Skill in evaluating troubleshooting repairing and calibrating analytical and field equipment.
- Skill in performing analyses and generating reports using a variety of computational tools including spreadsheets and unique enterprise software.
- Valid drivers license and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Have and maintain acceptable background information including criminal conviction history.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of LIMS databases including Sample Master.
- Knowledge of state and federal drinking water and wastewater regulations.
- Skill in collecting surface water quality samples.
- Skill in collecting Total Coliform Rule drinking water quality samples.
- Skill in running water quality samples on advanced instrumentation such as an IC TOC analyzer or equivalent.
- Skill in working in a drinking water or wastewater lab.
- Water Quality Analyst Certification
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associates degree in water resources environmental science chemistry biology microbiology or a related field; or equivalent of four (4) years experience may substitute for the education requirement only.
- Two (2) years of professional experience working in a laboratory performing water quality analyses.
SUPERVISION
Supervision Received: Water Quality Manager (Drinking Water)
Supervision Exercised: None
WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Physical and Mental Effort: Regularly requires standing walking lifting kneeling carrying sitting and occasional climbing. Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs. Requires visual acuity manual dexterity in measuring samples and calibrating equipment.
- Work Environment: Works on occasion in a loud or noisy work area with exposure to fumes chemicals and hazardous materials. Capable of driving to field sites. Regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions including exposure to adverse weather.
- Machines and Equipment Used: Ability to operate a canoe or other small watercraft.
Additional Job Description:
Last updated November 2024
Last Updated: 04/28/25 (Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratories)
The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race national origin gender gender identity sexual orientation protected veteran status disability age or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation please send a request to
Required Experience:
IC
Employment Type
Full-Time
