Water Quality Technician

Grade: GS.08        Salary: $22.29/hr - $26.93/hr

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: 1250 Market Street

FLSA Status: This is an Non-Exempt position.

Department: Public Works Storm Water Management

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:  

Incumbents in this classification learn to perform technical duties in support of the Water Quality Program which may include: performing environmental compliance monitoring and inspection duties related to watershed operations; analyzing a variety of watershed data; and enforcing applicable ordinances and regulations. Works under moderate supervision.

SERIES LEVEL:  

The Water Quality Technician is the first level of a three level water quality series.  An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed classification will be reclassified to Water Quality Specialist 1 after successful completion of a mandatory two year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Learns to monitor watershed operations, which may include: implementing stream inspections and monitoring to assess general physical and biological water quality conditions; collecting and documenting related data/findings; conducting ambient, wet weather and benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and hydrologic monitoring; assisting in planning, installing, maintaining, and programming automatic samplers and flow meters; implementing stream assessment protocols; and identifying and documenting erosion problems.

Learns to detect and eliminate illicit discharge, which may include: preparing and conducting field screening sampling of watershed outfall points to identify and eliminate sources of pollutants; conducting complaint investigations of illicit discharge; conducting pesticide, herbicide, and fertilizer sampling to identify sources of problem areas; identifying sources of sanitary discharge from sanitary sewer infrastructures (private service laterals and public trunk lines).

Maintain proper logs and computerized records of inspection and monitoring activities.

Learns to analyze data related to watershed characteristics for the development of watershed plans.

Learns to review/interpret/complete a variety of forms, reports, invoices, sampling labels, correspondence, applications, plans, drawings, ordinances, regulations, and maps.

Learns to investigate complaints, enforce storm water ordinances and regulations, determine corrective action recommendations for identified problems, and to initiate enforcement action to effect compliance with established regulations.

Learns to provide consultative, technical or education service to industries, individuals, or groups to raise awareness of water quality and storm water issues and constructive actions for watershed management.

Learns to launch investigations and inspections relative to storm water and watershed management, including inspection and documentation of post-development best management practices, storm water fee reduction requests, and sanitary sewer overflows.

Uses, carries, and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

Bachelor Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or a related field and successful completion of a water quality internship or previous related water quality experience of at least three months.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:  

Valid Tennessee Driver’s License.  

Must be able to obtain Erosion and Sediment Control and HazMat Certifications within 6 months of hire.

Must be able to obtain a Special Police Commission

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of water quality sampling techniques and concepts; applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations associated with storm water management; stream assessment protocols; customer service principles; and community outreach and education techniques.

Skill in collecting water samples; preparing and maintaining a variety of forms, records, reports, and documentation; operating GIS systems, interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, and regulations, assessing stream protocols; providing customer service; preparing community outreach and educational materials; using a computer and related software applications; and, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

Positions in this class typically require reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Incumbents may be subjected to odors, dusts, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, and infectious diseases.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N
 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

All employees must maintain Tennessee residency from the date of hire. 

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / lift test 

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.