City and County of San Francisco

Under general supervision performs increasingly complex laboratory, field monitoring, and related duties to evaluate water and wastewater treatment plant operations and to determine industrial discharge compliance with pretreatment and source control standards.

In the laboratory, conducts chemical and microbiological analyses.
In the field, investigates and identifies sources of water quality issues.

2482 Water Quality Technician III functions as a lead worker in the Water Quality Technician series. It is distinguished from the 2481 Water Quality Technician in that the prior performs more complex and technical work assigned to the unit.

Serves as a lead worker over entry-level or journey-level technicians.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

Laboratory:

1. Performs the more complex physical, chemical and microbiological laboratory analyses of drinking and wastewater samples and other materials as necessary. Prepares reports evaluating treatment plant performance, distributes data summaries to laboratory clients, works with laboratory clients to provide specialized services.

2. Prepares samples for the analysis of trace elements using filtration and acid digestion techniques, operates complex inorganic chemical instrumentation under close supervision; assists inorganic section chemists to complete analyses within client stipulated completion deadlines.

3. Prepares samples for the analysis of trace organic constituents using solvent extraction, evaporation and filtration techniques; operates complex organic chemical instrumentation under direct supervision; assists organic section chemists to complete analyses within client stipulated completion deadlines.

4. Conducts fee constituent analyses [BOD, TSS, and Oil and Grease] as necessary on samples of industrial discharges to the sewer system collected by the source control and pretreatment field section. Conducts various physical and chemical analyses to determine the effectiveness of water or wastewater treatment plant operation as directed.

5. Assists microbiologists as necessary to conduct coliform analyses on water, wastewater and seawater samples. Prepares reagents sterilizes glassware, materials and equipment, filters samples, uses sterile technique to minimize contamination, records and enters data as appropriate.

6. Receives samples from the Laboratory sample receiving section, creates batches, performs analyses according to standard EPA protocols, enters data generated via analysis, submits data for review to Senior Chemists, returns samples for archiving as necessary to the sample receiving section.

7. Conducts analyses in accordance with established QA/QC protocols, records accuracy and precision measurements, evaluates contamination through blank analyses, works with QA/QC section to improve technique.

8. Conducts analyses following all laboratory safe practices, wears personnel protective equipment as required; provides guidance to less experienced personnel on the use of safe laboratory practices; works with Laboratory safety section to create a safe and healthy working environment.

9. Collects samples from various sources including drinking water reservoirs, transmission lines, water and wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, beaches, marine and estuarine waterbodies using approved procedures.

10. Assists other analysts in maintaining an adequate inventory of laboratory supplies and materials; may be required to clean, calibrate and otherwise maintain delicate laboratory instruments.

11. May be required to work independently on weekends and holidays to conduct analyses to meet client stipulated turnaround time for various constituents; and performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Field Services:

1. Plans, schedules, and conducts equipment maintenance and repair program.

2. Under direction of project manager schedules activities and provides technical supervision, training and general assistance to special project work crews.

3. Performs monthly field equipment calibration checks; prepares standard solutions for calibrating colorimeters, turbidimeters, and pH meters.

4. Calibrates field equipment using specialized laboratory instruments, such as 2100ANT Turbidimeter, DR2000 spectrophotometer, and Microprocessor Ionanalyzer/90.

5. Provides training and technical supervision to entry and journey level technicians. Follows safe practices in performing all duties.

6. Provides certified testing of backflow devices.

7. Available for on-call fire response duty as certified specialist.

8. Interprets and performs according to existing methods, procedures, rules, and regulations pertaining to customer water services and applicable water conservation programs.

9. Maintains appropriate inventory of materials, equipment, and supplies to support the field services section in performing its assigned duties.

10. Conducts special projects, such as writing the sample manual, integrating sampling and backflow information into LIMS, generating computerized sample labeling and custody sheets, to better organize activities of field services section.

11. Conducts special sampling in remote areas of the watershed.

12. Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Field Monitoring:

1. Provides instructions and training to staff in the procedures and techniques of sampling, field documentation, field quality assurance practices, and interpretation of requirements and regulations.

2. Oversees and schedules the maintenance and calibration of all portable field equipment and instrumentation. Operates all field monitoring equipment. Performs diagnostics of inoperative equipment.

3. Applies ultrasonic, bubbler, area /velocity, and closed pipe flow meter techniques to various flow monitoring projects.

4. Analyzes flow monitoring data using Windows Vision and Insight software.

5. Under general supervision, generates written sampling plans to meet permit monitoring requirements.

6. Organizes and schedules vehicle maintenance and automotive repair.

7. Under general supervision, investigates and prepares incident reports on complaints received from the public or other agencies; takes appropriate follow-up action. Investigates reports of illegal discharge of toxic substances into the sewer.

8. Evaluates field sampling and documentation for conformance with quality assurance standards. Conducts field analyses in accordance with established QA/QC protocols; conducts quality assurance audits and prepares reports and summaries as required. Records accuracy and precision measurements. Works with QA/QC section to improve techniques; and performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of: Laboratory: The analytical procedures of chemical evaluation of water and wastewater; general inorganic and organic chemistry; good laboratory practices; safe laboratory practices. Field Services: All equipment and instruments used in field monitoring within WQB field services; all standard operating and safety procedures. Field Monitoring: All equipment and instruments used in field monitoring within SPEAC field monitoring; all standard operating and safety procedures.

Ability and Skill to: Laboratory: Learn new procedures and protocols for the analysis of samples; to work independently; demonstrate good laboratory technique; organize work; train and technically supervise less experienced technical personnel in established laboratory procedures; utilize effective oral and written communication; interact with diverse workforce of technical and non-technical personnel, managers, and public constituents. Field Services and Field Monitoring: Read, study, and understand technical manuals. Learn new regulations, procedures and protocols for field sampling, testing, and collection; work independently; demonstrate good field technique; organize work; train and technically supervise less experienced technical personnel in established field procedures; utilize effective oral and written communication; interact with diverse workforce of technical and non-technical personnel, managers, and public constituents; and handle, operate and maintain laboratory materials and equipment.

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification.  Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

High school diploma or its equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination)

Experience:

Five (5) years of verifiable experience performing water quality duties similar to those in class 2481 Water Quality Technician in a water or wastewater laboratory, a wastewater treatment facility, or a water collection, distribution system, or water treatment facility.

License and Certification:

Possession of a valid California Driver License

Substitution:

Possession of an associate of science degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or a related field can substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Some positions require possession of one or more of the following:

Water Distribution Operator (D1) Certificate
Backflow Tester certification
CWEA Grade I Industrial Waste Collection or Inspection Certificate

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.