What are the responsibilities and job description for the Water Quality Specialist position at Franklin County Government?
General Statement of Duties
An employee in this class spends performs mixed responsibilities including the administration of the water quality and water sampling programs. The employee ensures the highest standard possible in meeting specifications’ requirements. Work includes shifting assignments as needed; assuring work is completed in timely manner and in accordance with OSHA and County standards, training, coaching, and reviewing work in progress and upon completion. The employee is subject to working in inside and outside environments including extreme hot and cold weather and is exposed to hazards such as loud noise, vibrations, moving mechanical parts, chemicals, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, and oils. Work around raw sewage is also subject to the final standards of OSHA on blood borne pathogens. Work is performed under regular supervision in conformance with established standards, and is reviewed for productivity quality, and customer service satisfaction.
Duties and Responsibilities/Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Perform water quality sampling per the North Carolina code of regulations, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Federal Safe Drinking Water Act
Record and maintain all records related to water quality sampling.
Prepare and organize water sampling bottles, containers, and related document tracking; collect water samples from wells, distribution systems, and water treatment plants.
Deliver water samples to the laboratory for analysis; ensure the required documentation for each sample is complete and correct; monitor sampling schedules daily to ensure the timely completion of sampling.
Inspect sample sites and perform repairs or upgrades, as needed.
Monitor sampling supplies and maintain adequate inventory.
Flush distribution systems and maintain system records; respond to inquiries from customers related to water quality.
Review statistical data for regulatory compliance; organize and compile water quality lab reports; store data both in hard copy and digital formats.
Review and analyze existing, pending, and potential potable and recycled water quality regulations.
Prepare or assist in the preparation water quality reports for management related to wells, distribution system, and treatment plants; submit reports, as required.
Serves as crew leader; trains staff in duties, process, and safety procedures; monitors and checks quality of work while in progress and upon completion; may change assignments as work progresses; coaches employees on performance while in process; provides input to supervisor for performance evaluations.
Ensures implementation of OSHA and County safety regulations and procedures.
Gathers and/or ensures materials, supplies and equipment for daily work loaded and transported to work site.
Participates in the repair, maintenance and construction activities to distribution and collection lines; operates various light to heavy equipment such as back hoe, jack hammer, mud hog, boring machine, and hand tools, etc.; lays pipes, makes water taps and repairs leaks; repairs water lines and repairs or replaces valve boxes.
Makes and inspects water lines.
Reads meters on assigned days; covers route assigned; uses hand held meters to records usage readings; takes rereads of meters as needed and repairs meters.
Serves on-call and call-back duties on a weekly rotation.
Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of construction, repair, and maintenance of water distribution and sewer collection line construction, maintenance and repair.
Considerable knowledge of department policies, procedures, and work plans.
Thorough knowledge of the use of related equipment and materials.
Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions required in the work.
Skills in heavy equipment operation.
Ability to act as crew leader and perform related supervisory duties.
Ability to read construction and plan maps, and drawings and to set grade and fall on projects.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, peers, subordinates and citizens.
Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
Ability to perform heavy manual tasks.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Desirable Education and Experience
High School diploma and considerable related experience, involving water and sewer line construction, maintenance and repair; including demonstrated ability to read, comprehend numbers and some experience in semi-skilled maintenance or construction work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Other Information
Must possess an appropriate valid North Carolina driver’s license upon hire. CDL B preferred but not required.
Must possess a North Carolina Distribution C or higher, North Carolina C Well certification or higher, Cross Connection Control Certification, Flagger certification, Confined Space certification and North Carolina Competent Person, Trenching and Shoring certification upon hire or the ability to obtain within one (1) year of hire.
Must obtain Work Zone Supervisor certification with first year of employment.
