Water Quality Chemist

Job Description:

Water Quality Chemist

Description

THE POSITION

The primary responsibility of Water Quality Chemists within Water Quality Laboratory and R&D section is testing and analysis of City drinking water to ensure protection of public health. In addition, they perform mandated testing and analysis to demonstrate regulatory compliance to state and federal agencies. City Water Quality Chemists also investigate customer water quality complaints and provide operational support to Division Water Production, Water Distribution, and Utility Construction groups. City Water Quality Chemists enhance the efficiency and resilience of the City’s water system by participating in research on water treatment process optimization, climate change impacts on the water treatment process, and method development for contaminants of emerging concern.

IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate has previous experience working in a drinking water or wastewater analytical laboratory setting, hands-on familiarity with water quality testing, and a proven background in laboratory quality control, including data review and analysis. The ideal candidate works independently to review, research, and summarize complex data to provide recommendations to the laboratory director and Division staff. Knowledge of the requirements for laboratory certification under the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and The National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council Institute (TNI), and of drinking water regulations under Title 22 and Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations is critical.

Under general supervision, Water Quality Chemist perform analysis of physical, chemical, and bacteriological constituents present in a treated and untreated domestic water supply at a water treatment laboratory; maintains detailed records of analytical activities both manually and electronically; diagnosis, troubleshoots, and coordinates maintenance and repair of instruments and equipment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

General supervision is provided by a Supervising Water Quality Chemist or by a higher-level administrator or manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and perform chemical, physical and bacteriological analysis of water and wastewater on schedule using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Standard Methods methodology to determine regulatory compliance.
• Interpret and evaluate analytical results; determine reasons for problems and recommend corrective measures; report findings as required.
• Investigate and analyze customer water quality complaints; communicate and report findings.
• Research and test new lab techniques and procedures and recommend changes in operating processes; prepare Standard Operating Procedures as required.
• Assist in the development and implementation of the laboratory's Quality Assurance and Quality Control standards.
• Prepare analytical and quality control reports as required.
• Conduct performance testing on samples as required for maintaining the laboratory's certification.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and coordinate maintenance and repair of a variety of complex instruments and equipment.
• May provide lead direction and review work for laboratory technicians and less experienced staff.
• Assist with the training of less experienced staff in developed methodology, instrumental analysis and related work procedures.
• Assist Operations with troubleshooting of issues; special testing and methods/procedure development as required.
• Maintain inventory and order supplies; research and recommend new equipment as required.
• Provide exceptional customer service to those contacted in the course of work.
• Other related duties may also be performed; not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual holding this classification.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of :

• Principles of organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology and related disciplines.
• Operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment including specialized instrumentation.
• Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) certification requirements and other quality assurance methodologies.
• Parameters used to evaluate data for assessing data quality including statistical analysis.
• Standard protocols and general safety for the laboratory.

Skill in :

• Applying laboratory techniques, quality assurance and quality control, wet chemistry, and instrumentation to verify the accuracy of analytical results.
• Keeping records in accordance with California laws, regulations and codes.
• Preparing calibration standards and media for sample analysis.
• Applying laboratory safety techniques.
• Communicating clearly and concisely verbally and in writing.

Ability to :

• Conduct a variety of simple and complex samples of water and wastewater analyses.
• Interpret analytical data.
• Troubleshoot analytical and instrumentation issues.
• Keep accurate and detailed records of analytical activities both manually and using computers including Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
• Plan test procedures, set priorities and organize work.
• Train staff in developed methodology, instrumental analysis and related work procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.

Experience and Education

Experience :

Three years of experience in an analytical laboratory using standard methods for chemical, physical or bacteriological analysis.

-AND-

Education :

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in chemistry, bacteriology, biology, microbiology, or closely related field.

PROOF OF EDUCATION

Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment . Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Physical Requirements:

Making observations.

Operating assigned equipment.

Communicating with others.

Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline ;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).
  • If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• If you’re requesting Veteran’s credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline. Information regarding the use of Veteran’s credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C.
• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam: (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility: Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate’s eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Water Quality Chemist examination.

4. Screening Committee: (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.

5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.

QUESTIONS:
For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/Home/ApplicationGuide for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/employment ;
• Send an email to employment@cityofsacramento.org ; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at (916) 808-5726

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 10/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$77,683.82 - $109,308.93 Annually