What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Quality Research Analyst position at City of Santa Barbara?
ABOUT US
The Creeks Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Division (Creeks Division) is hiring an environmental professional with strong technical skills who will contribute to our mission: improving creek and ocean water quality and restoring urban stream habitat. Individuals who join the Creeks Division tend to stay because of the welcoming culture, creative opportunities, and impactful work. Read more about the Creeks Division here.
The Creeks Division is housed within the Sustainability & Resilience Department, with the mission to support a sustainable, healthy, and safe Santa Barbara through reducing the City’s carbon footprint, managing energy and materials use, protecting, and restoring creeks and water quality, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and building local climate resilience. If you are a motivated and dedicated environmental professional interested in the position, read more about the Sustainability & Resilience Department here.
At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in an environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive. Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here.
BENEFITS
THE POSITION
The Creeks Division seeks a full-time employee to develop and implement water quality research programs focused on improving creek and ocean water quality. The ideal candidate will demonstrate proficiency and knowledge necessary to successfully develop and implement an annual water quality research and monitoring plan, organize sampling events, analyze and interpret results, conduct research projects, and produce a variety of reports. The candidate should have experience working on project teams that include consultants, regulatory agencies, and academic researchers. The Water Quality Research Analyst will have the unique opportunity to participate in a model applied research program.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Develop, implement, and lead water quality research programs; coordinate sample collection; analyze and interpret data; produce reports.
- Manage collaborative research projects with external institutions and agencies.
- Identify water quality impacts on coastal and surface waters using scientific methods.
- Develop strategies to identify and address sources of pollutants causing water quality impairments.
- Support staff with plan reviews, ordinance changes, grant applications, and project planning.
- Ensure compliance with regulations and grants.
- Oversee the maintenance of field instruments and laboratory equipment.
- Oversee chemical and microbiological testing procedures.
- Maintain accurate records of monitoring and research conducted.
- Analyze water testing results and recommend solutions to water quality issues.
- Present clearly to diverse audiences, including the general public, City staff, committees, and conferences.
- Produce an Annual Water Quality Report and oversee contributions.
- Provide guidance on regulatory processes, including waterbody listings, TMDLs, and NPDES monitoring.
- Collaborate with staff to develop and produce the Annual Water Quality Research and Monitoring Plan.
- Cultivate relationships with agency and academic scientists for collaborative projects.
- Stay current on technological advances and industry standards.
- Research and apply for grants to support monitoring and research efforts.
- Provide guidance to Sustainability & Resilience staff as needed, particularly in support of illicit discharge detection and elimination.
- Contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
Knowledge of:
- Water quality research techniques, equipment, terminology, and procedures.
- Watershed processes and stormwater science, including stormwater in the urban environment.
- Principles and practices of qualitative and quantitative chemistry, ecology, hydrology, and/or environmental microbiology.
- Principles of chemical, biological, microbiological, and physical analysis.
- Advanced mathematics and statistical analysis.
- Proper sample collection procedures and techniques.
- Principles and procedures of record keeping and database management.
- Modern water quality research procedures, methods and computer equipment.
- Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations involving storm water and water quality. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Ability to:
- Provide exemplary customer service by being attentive, responsive, courteous, and maintaining a positive environment.
- Conduct chemical, biological, and physical water quality tests.
- Analyze and interpret test results.
- Effectively collect samples and specimens.
- Perform mathematical calculations.
- Plan sampling strategies and determine appropriate statistical analyses with collected data.
- Train staff in water quality monitoring procedures and methodologies.
- Operate and maintain analytical laboratory and field instruments.
- Seek, identify, apply for, and manage grants.
- Use computers and a variety of computer software programs.
- Prepare clear, concise and technical reports.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Provide contract management for laboratory and consulting services.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:
- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time, including in wet weather.
- Walking along creek banks and in creeks during hot, dry weather.
- Kayaking in flat water.
- Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
- Making observations
- Communicating with others
- Reading and writing
- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Five years of increasingly responsible experience with the development and implementation of storm water and urban runoff programs, such as water quality monitoring and research, stormwater best management practices, project management and storm water regulations.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree in a scientific field from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, environmental sciences, water resources, earth sciences, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.
Equivalent to a Bachelors degree in a scientific field from an accredited college or university with major course work in environmental studies, environmental sciences, water resources, earth sciences, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.
It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
There is currently one (1) vacancy within the Sustainability & Resilience Department.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.
CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025.
Salary : $105,574 - $128,326
