Environmental Scientist (Water Quality Sampling)

POSITION: Environmental Scientist (Water Quality Sampling)

PCR: 3370008

DIVISION: Operations

DEPARTMENT: Water Quality Assurance

UNION/GRADE: Unit 9/Grade 21

BASIC PURPOSE:

Oversees and provides special testing and technical support as needed to improve understanding of water quality and treatment impacts, collects samples and conducts field tests. Assists the Program Manager, Water Quality with data analysis and data entry, reviews, interprets and flags results. Conducts water quality data review and reporting.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Program Manager, Water Quality.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May provide guidance to other sampling staff and supervise an intern as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collects water samples and conduct field tests including chlorine residual, temperature, pH, turbidity, specific conductance or other tests following standard operating procedures (SOPS).
• Responsible for "non-routine" water quality monitoring.
• Conducts and/or supervises the routine testing of on-line water quality analyzers at critical monitoring points.
• Maintains and calibrates field and laboratory testing equipment, on-line analyzers, and prepare reagents and buffers as required.
• Performs laboratory testing including TOC, UV-254, alkalinity, pH, ATP, nitrate, and turbidity.
• Assists in the development, review, and implementation of SOPs relevant to sampling, field testing, and related duties.
• Performs special studies and conducts analyses to improve understanding of water quality changes and treatment impacts including disinfection, biofilm, algae, blending of water supplies, nitrification, distribution system changes, coliform detections, radiological monitoring, corrosion and other issues of concern.
• Transfers analytical data to Water Quality Database and verify results.
• Evaluates new sampling and testing procedures. Researches and reviews equipment specifications, operational guidelines, repair techniques and pricing as required.
• Conducts data entry, data analysis, and reporting as needed from various sources .
• Reviews draft weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual water quality reports and relays anomalies to water quality management.
• Document and flag data corrections within water quality databases.
• Prepares water quality data or reports for management staff, regulatory community, and general public. Perform compliance calculations using regulatory references or business rules.
• Assists water quality management team with development of water quality data dashboards and visual displays.
• Reviews scientific journal articles relating to water quality issues, and utilizes references to supplement water quality reporting.
• Assists Quality Assurance sampling crew with collection of samples, calibration and maintenance of field instruments, and other duties as required.
• Provides technical assistance to Quality Assurance managers.
• Provides training to community or MWRA staff on regulatory water sampling and testing procedures or Chemical Delivery Acceptance Procedures as necessary.
• Perform related duties as required.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field; and
• At least three (3) years of experience in laboratory and/or field testing procedures for water analyses; or,
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated analytical and reporting skills.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of water quality and water supply or related field required.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to import, flag, aggregate, check, calculate, and report data from water quality databases.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid Massachusetts Driver's License.

Participates in overtime assignments occasionally along with other staff in the Water Quality Sampling group. In the absence of volunteers, the person may be required to be on-call or report for overtime in an inverse seniority pool.

TOOLS AND EOUIPMENT USED:

Office machines as normally associated, with a professional office environment including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

Utilizes field meters or instruments and laboratory equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this' job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to sit; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to the risk of radiation and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet in a laboratory environment.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.