Introduction
Charlotte’s local government, with more than 7,000 employees and a $2.39 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.
Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with 300,000 customer accounts and over 1000 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 23 budget is $535M and a five-year capital program of $2.5 billion. We enjoy the highest credit ratings from all three major credit rating agencies as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council. We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment.
Overview
The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.
Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.
Summary
The Water Quality Program Specialist is responsible for tracking water quality from the watershed through the distribution system in accordance with all federal and state drinking water regulations. This position will report to the Water Quality Program Administrator. The candidate will serve as technical resource to the Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), the Distribution System, and the Environmental Services Facility, ensuring best management practices are used for compliance with all drinking water regulations.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Maintains compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and other Federal, State, and local regulations pertaining to water treatment and distribution systems.
• Ensures all compliance and non-compliance monitoring is scheduled and conducted.
• Conducts water quality field sampling and testing; ensures proper lab procedures are followed; packs coolers for shipment; ensures chain of custody completeness; and communicates with laboratory and plant staff.
• Calibrates, maintains, and repairs all laboratory analyzers/equipment at all WTPs. Researches the specifications and cost for new equipment.
• Budgets for, organizes, and maintains inventory for lab supplies for all WTPs.
• Creates detailed SOPs for all job duties.
• Ensures data is accurate and reported appropriately; receives and interprets analytical data; collaborates with laboratories to resolve issues.
• Compiles and analyzes data using excel and databases. Provides technical reports/presentations to supervisor and/or staff.
• Provides guidance and education to staff on water quality, lab procedures, and regulations.
• Assists in the evaluation of water treatment processes to support optimized operations.
• Conducts jar tests.
• Ensures all safety protocols are followed.
• Answers customer questions and addresses/resolves customer complaints.
• Provides National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) compliance support.
• Available to respond to water treatment issues after hours.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and goals of Charlotte Water.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations for drinking water.
• Knowledge of surface water treatment and plant optimization.
• Knowledge of distribution system water quality issues.
• Knowledge of source water monitoring and protection.
• Knowledge of standard laboratory procedures and proper sampling techniques.
• Knowledge in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, and WIMS, and other pertinent computer programs - proficiency in the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables, analyzing data, writing technical reports, and presenting data/findings.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in organizing.
• Skill in time management, ability to set priorities.
• Skill in operating/calibrating/maintaining/evaluating water quality analyzers.
• Skill in writing technical SOPs.
• Skill in mathematical calculations related to water treatment.
• Ability to analyze and interpret analytical data. Able to identify problems and draw valid conclusions to solve problems.
• Ability to type and use office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, spreadsheet applications, and electronic mail.
• Ability to apply independent judgment, initiative, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and accomplish duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work as team member and collaborate with others.
• Ability to handle special assignments and projects. Demonstrated organization and planning skills and ability to adapt to varying work situations and multiple tasks.
Preferred Qualification
• A-Surface water certificate.
• B-Distribution certificate.
• Physical/Chemical certificate.
• Operation of a surface water treatment plant.
• Operation, calibration, and maintenance of water quality analytical instruments.
Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, chemistry, or a related field.
• Three (3) years related work experience in water treatment.
• B-Surface Water certification and must obtain a North Carolina A-Surface Water certification within one year.
• C-Distribution certification or obtain within one year.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a city’s drivers permit.
Salary
$74,362.00 - $82,623.00 Commensurate with Experience
Conditions of Employment
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
How To Apply
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby where we have workstations available. Our office is located at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Benefits
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
In Conclusion
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