Job description
The City of Pittsburg in California seeks qualified candidates for Water Quality Analyst I/II for the Water Treatment Plant of the Public Works Department.
Salary increases effective:
*This recruitment is open until filled and may close at any time*
The Water Quality Analyst is the single position class responsible for water quality standards and the City's compliance with county, state and federal codes and regulations pertaining to water production and quality. Under general supervision, the Water Quality Analyst I/II performs specialized and complex chemical, bacterial and physical tests and analysis of raw and potable water to determine efficiency of plant processes and ensure that plant treatment and distribution meets local, state and federal requirements.
The ideal candidate for Water Quality Analyst I/II possesses the following:
- Ability to interpret and apply state and local laws, rules, and regulations that are related to water quality testing and standards
- Good knowledge of laboratory terminology, equipment, materials, and procedures, and the fundamental laboratory methods relating to chemistry or biology.
- Experience performing standardized laboratory tests according to prescribed procedures with high precision and accuracy; calculating and recording test results; maintaining a clean, sterile, and safe laboratory environment.
- Possess exceptional management and organizational abilities to adhere to time sensitive situations and meet deadlines
- Great interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with other City Departments/Divisions, other governmental agencies, community organizations and the public
- Ability to interpret technical data and to make recommendations
- Ability to prepare clear, concise and complete reports and other written materials
- Knowledge and experience with computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite tools (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- High level of ethical behavior
- Represent the City to other agencies and community groups
About Pittsburg Water - Water Treatment Plant (Public Works Department)
Pittsburg Water oversees a citywide collection of water treatment and distribution systems that keep the daily activities of Pittsburg flowing. Our community depends on us to provide safe water services, so you can focus on life’s other priorities. We partner with our neighboring agencies to ensure that our water supply continues to meet our customers’ needs in conjunction with the local water treatment plant and two wells we manage. Pittsburg Water manages its own local treatment plant where we treat and conduct rigorous testing every four hours to ensure the quality and safety of our water. Every year, we treat, test and deliver almost 3.3 billion gallons of safe water each year, which is enough water for 546 million dishwasher cycles.
About Pittsburg
The City of Pittsburg is a culturally rich and diverse community of over 76,000 residents and expected to grow to 90,000 in the next 20 years. Pittsburg is located in the Bay Area Region of Northern California and is perfectly situated for easy access to San Francisco, Napa Valley, Sacramento, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and Lake Tahoe. Pittsburg City Hall is also conveniently located a short walk from the Pittsburg Center Station of the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), making a commute from cities throughout the Bay Area very easy. Pittsburg has waterfront homes, a performing arts theater, a variety of seasonal events, an extensive park system, a large public-school system, and a variety of shopping centers. The recently renovated Marina is also an ideal place to visit and is located within steps of the Old Town shopping district and downtown living, with nearly 600 boat slips, a free public boat launch, fuel dock, café, bait shop, and the Pittsburg Yacht Club. Pittsburg has featured such events as the Seafood and Music Festival, car shows, movies in the park, kayaking, and fishing derbies. With its commitment to a quality community environment, Pittsburg is an ideal city in which to live, work and recreate.
The City of Pittsburg is a full-service city following the council-manager form of government. The City has approximately 300 full time employees and at times, up to 350 employees total (depending on the season). Pittsburg is currently organized into the following departments: City Management, Community and Economic Development (Building, Economic Development, Code Enforcement, and Planning), Community Services (Housing Authority, Pittsburg Power Company, and the Successor Agency to the former Redevelopment Agency, CDBG/Housing Rehabilitation, Environmental Services, Waterfront Administration, and Property Management), Recreation, Human Resources, Finance, Police, and Public Works (Engineering, Operations/Maintenance, Utilities, Facilities, Parks, and Water Treatment). Fire Protection services are provided by the Contra Costa County Consolidated Fire Department. Pittsburg’s total budget for FY 22/23 is $225.9 million and a General Fund budget of $51.3 million.
- Performs physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses of raw and portable water; evaluates and interprets test results, and establishes test priorities.
- Sets up, calibrates, operates and performs minor maintenance on a variety of laboratory equipment and instruments; arranges for outside services if required.
- Collects and preserves source, water treatment plant, and distribution system water samples. Makes arrangements with outside laboratories for analyses not routinely performed by the water plant laboratory. May collect other samples as required.
- Ensures necessary supplies are available to perform tests, including inventory, ordering, stock rotation and disposal of chemicals. Prepares standard chemical solutions, reagents, stains and bacteriological media.
- Provides training and instructions to operating personnel regarding laboratory operations and chemical requirements, adjustments, changes or additions to various treatment processes. Performs quality control and assurance tasks on all analyses and reviews data generated by operators for accuracy and completeness.
- Demonstrates a full understanding of applicable policies, procedures and work methods associated with assigned duties.
- Maintains records and logs of laboratory and plant operational data, including but not limited to analytical data, statistical data, repair records, chemical and reagent preparation logs and quality control and assurance logs; reviews and analyzes data relating to water quality; determines compliance and makes recommendations to achieve compliance as needed. Writes reports and laboratory procedures as necessary.
- Responds to questions and concerns from general public by phone or in person. Provides information as appropriate and resolves consumer complaints. May visit consumer and perform on-site sampling.
- Represents the City in laboratory inspections, audits and evaluations by regulatory agencies.
- Maintains laboratory to meet certification standards with appropriate corrective actions.
- Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, city management and staff, and the general public.
- Assists in preparation of Consumer Confidence Report (Annual Water Quality Report).
- Keeps the laboratory in clean and efficient order.
- Performs annual proficiency tests.
Qualifications for Water Quality Analyst I
Education/Experience: Qualified applicants must possess a high school diploma supplemented by four college level semesters in chemistry, biology or microbiology and two years of experience in a laboratory setting including one year in water treatment or the performance of related work.
Certificate: Possession of a Grade I Water Quality Analyst certificate from the American Water Works Association California/Nevada Section is required within twenty-four (24) months of employment
License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance is required.
Qualifications for Water Quality Analyst II
Education/Experience: Qualified applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology or microbiology and three years of experience in a laboratory setting including two years in water treatment or the performance of related work. The bachelor's degree is not required if the incumbent possesses the Grade II Water Quality Analyst certificate.
Certificate: Possession of a Grade II Water Quality Analyst certificate from the American Water Works Association California/Nevada Section is required.
License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance is required.
Applications may be submitted online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pittsburg. The City of Pittsburg utilizes a merit-based selection system. Such a system is competitive and based on broad outreach efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to take part in a process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Although, a resume and cover letter provide helpful added detail in reviewing qualifications, the job application may be rejected if the sections are considered to be incomplete. You will be notified of the next steps in the process via email! In the meantime, Let’s stay in touch through social media. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
What Happens Next?
We will review your application and all supplemental materials to select the best qualified applicants to continue in the process. Screening will include a review of qualifications, application appraisal rating of education, training and experience and relevance of background qualifications related to the target job as well as supplemental questions if applicable.- Applicants selected to move forward in the process may be asked to participate in any combination of the following (at any phase of the selection process): a written examination, job related exercise, physical test or job simulation, phone interview, in-person or video interview(s), and/or web-based testing.
- All offers of employment are conditional and new hires are subject to complete a pre-employment background screening that will consist of reference checks, livescan/fingerprint check and a civil check. Some positions require a medical examination, psychological examination, credit check, polygraph, drug testing, and full background investigation depending on the job characteristics. All new hires are required to show that they are eligible to work in the United States. All of these processes must be successfully completed before employment begins.
- The final phase of the selection process is the probationary period, which in most cases is twelve months.
The City of Pittsburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws in its employment actions, decisions, policies and practices.
The City of Pittsburg Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate disabled applicants. Individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation in the process must inform the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.
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