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Position Information

Functional TitleSr. Water Quality Specialist

Recruitment Category TypeStandard

Functional CategoryProduction

GradeGS.15

FLSA StatusExempt

Requisition Number25-0222

Number of Vacancies1

Job LevelNon-Management

Job CodeN/A

Job Description Summary

Organization NameWater Quality

Reports toSection Manager, Water Quality Operations

Full or Part TimeFull Time

If Part Time how many hours per week

Regular or TemporaryRegular

Position End Date (if temporary)

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

(Must also be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed on an on-call basis)

Position LocationSilver Spring

Position Summary Information

General Summary

TheSr. Water Quality Specialistis responsible for helping to ensure production and distribution of safe water for the public while meeting regulations and customer satisfaction. Areas of responsibility include distribution system water quality investigations, planning and operating regulatory compliance activities, and water quality emergency response. This role may also support the Water Quality Section Manager in providing limited technical supervision over professional or sub-professional positions.

Essential Functions

+ Routinely monitors regulatory water quality monitoring activities to assure compliance with monitoring, water quality, lead and copper rule, and reporting requirements

+ May interface with federal and state regulatory agencies to coordinate regulatory compliance processes

+ Participates in the formulation and implementation of long-range plans for various engineering or scientific programs of significant importance to the Commission, and serves as project team leader as needed

+ Participates in WSSC Water’s CIP and/or AMP processes involving water quality issues, and independently reviews and evaluates impacts on water quality

+ Provides customer support on water quality problems including making initial response to customer calls, conducting operational investigations, coordinating support with appropriate staff, maintaining a complaints database, and developing corrective and preventive measures

+ Leads special water quality studies to solve long-term problems or prepare for future regulations

+ Plans and coordinates full, pilot, and bench scale tests including developing test protocols, coordinating sampling, as well as testing and background research with various WSSC Water divisions, and preparing reports and recommendations

+ Participates in regional decision-making processes to protect water quality against accidental or deliberate contamination

+ Coordinates WSSC Water responses to regional inquiries and serves as liaison with regional partner agencies

+ Serves as a standing member of the Contamination Rapid Response Team ( CRRT ); participates in all CRRT activities including proficiency training and exercises

+ Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business

Other Functions

+ Stays abreast of the latest technical, legal and regulatory developments in the field

+ May conduct Safe Drinking Water Act compliance sampling in distribution system

+ Conducts complex computational work to analyze historical and current water quality data, including trending and forecasting analysis using spreadsheet and database tools

+ Reviews, approves, and enters all resulting data into the Laboratory Information Management System ( LIMS ) and all other appropriate databases

+ Provides technical advice/assistance to the Water Quality Section Manager and Laboratory Services Division Manager as necessary

+ May perform as Water Quality Section Manager in their absence

Work Environment And Physical Demands

Professional lab environment and field environment

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

+ Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory provisions and ability to interpret regulatory intent on specific issues

+ Thorough knowledge and understanding of source water protection, treatment processes, water distribution system, and water quality monitoring and emergency response

+ 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 take a leading role in emergency water quality response, including coordinating with internal staff and external agencies, effective notification and reporting, and response to contamination events

+ Ability to investigate customer surveillance data and identify source of problems

+ Ability to interact with customers and stakeholders regarding water quality complaints effectively and professionally; ability to deliver superior customer service

Minimum Education, Experience Requirements

+ Bachelor’s degree

+ 4+ years of environmental science/engineering (or related work experience) in water supply, water quality, and/or water treatment/distribution system operations, including:

+ Laboratory analyses performing advanced testing on water and/or wastewater

+ Experience leading water quality-related projects that include planning and developing protocols and reports

OR

+ High school diploma or equivalent

+ 8+ years of environmental science/engineering (or related work experience) in water supply, water quality, and/or water treatment/distribution system operations, including:

+ Laboratory analyses performing advanced testing on water and/or wastewater

+ Experience leading water quality-related projects that include planning and developing protocols and reports

Additional Requirements

+ Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment or transfer and annually thereafter

+ Valid Maryland Department of the Environment Sampler’s License (must be obtained within six months of employment and retained for duration in position)

+ Ability to acquire within 6 months and maintain laboratory certifications for compliance with State of Maryland laboratory programs

+ Possession of a valid driver’s license, with no more than 4 points, and the ability to obtain and maintain a WSSC Water driver’s permit within 90 days of hire or transfer date

+ Maintain unexpired Department of Transportation physical clearance to drive WSSC Water Emergency Response Vehicle

+ Able to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed on an on-call basis

Preferences

+ Master’s degree in environmental science/engineering, or related field

+ Experience in functional supervision of professional or sub-professional staff

Salary$93,240 - $158,760

Posting Detail Information

EEO Statement

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.

Close Date05/14/2025

Open Until FilledNo

Special Instructions to Applicants

Additional Information

All applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * Do you have a valid driver's license with no more than 4 points and with no restrictions (except eyeglasses/contact lenses)?

+ Yes

+ No

+ * Will you, now or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status?

+ Yes

+ No

+ Are you an eligible veteran of any branch of the armed forces who has received an honorable discharge or Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Military Service, the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran?

+ Yes

+ No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Resume

Optional Documents

+ Cover Letter/Letter of Application