What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Quality Chemist, Zone 7 position at Alameda County?
Introduction
DESCRIPTION
THE AGENCY
This is a fully qualified journey-level water quality chemist classification performing standard and complex tests and analyses to ensure water quality and compliance with regulatory requirements for Zone 7's water treatment and distribution system. In addition to shared responsibilities for water quality testing and analysis, incumbents may have individual accountability for an area of laboratory operations, such as quality assurance, or instrumentation and supplies. Incumbents in this classification may provide direction to Laboratory Technicians. This classification is distinguished from the next higher level of Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor, Zone 7, which is a full supervisory classification with overall responsibility for the Zone 7 water quality laboratory.
- Skilled analytical chemist with expertise in performing qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses, including regulated and complex water quality testing.
- Strong foundation in organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, and environmental science, with proficiency in techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, atomic absorption, and mass spectrometry.
- Deep understanding of quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices to ensure laboratory operations align with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
- Capable of troubleshooting, calibrating, and maintaining sophisticated laboratory instruments to support efficient and accurate testing.
- Knowledgeable in laboratory safety practices, hazardous material handling protocols, and water quality regulations applicable to drinking water.
- Experience developing new analytical methods and standard operating procedures.
- Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail in maintaining accurate and up-to-date databases of laboratory results, compliance documentation, and operational records.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare clear, concise reports for compliance and operational purposes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
License: Possession of a valid California driver's license.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Knowledge of:
- Principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, and basic microbiology.
- Methods and techniques of chemical, physical, and microbiological water quality testing and analysis, including wet chemistry techniques, atomic absorption and emission, flow injection, gas and liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography.
- Operation, testing, calibration, minor maintenance and set up of sophisticated water quality laboratory equipment, including computer operated equipment.
- American Water Works Association, EPA, California Department of Health Services and other standards and regulations applicable to water quality testing, record keeping, reporting and compliance.
- Statistics and computer applications applicable to water quality laboratory work.
- Laboratory precautions and safe working practices.
Ability to:
- Perform standard and complex organic and inorganic chemistry and microbiological testing and analysis.
- Interpret and explain results.
- Analyze and validate data.
- Operate and care for sophisticated water quality laboratory equipment.
- Prepare and maintain a variety of records and reports.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS
- A review of applicants' application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
- A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process.
- An oral examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral examination will be administered virtually and may contain situational exercises.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN
- The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification. Candidates selected to participate in the oral exam will receive an email notification at least 10 business days in advance of the exam date.
BENEFITS
Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employees discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well-being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being
- Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
- Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
- Vision or Vision Reimbursement
- Share the Savings
- Basic Life Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
- County Allowance Credit
- Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
- Short-Term Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
- Employee Assistance Program
For your Financial Future
- Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
- Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)
For your Work/Life Balance
- 12 paid holidays
- Floating Holidays
- Vacation and sick leave accrual
- Vacation purchase program
- Catastrophic Sick Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits Program
- Guaranteed Ride Home
- Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
- Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
- Child Care Resources
- 1st United Services Credit Union
- Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
Conclusion
All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, acgov.org Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.
Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.
NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jobaps.com and Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.
Erika Beams, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
Analyst Email Address Link: Erika.Beams@acgov.org | Phone: 510-272-6393
www.acgov.org/hrs
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.
Salary : $122,678 - $149,115
