County of Alameda 4950

WATER QUALITY CHEMIST, ZONE 7

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to conduct a variety of physical, chemical and microbiological testing and analysis of water; to prepare and maintain laboratory standard operating procedures, records and reports; to test, calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment; and to perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed. 
 

1. Conducts inorganic chemical analyses such as chlorides, nitrites, nitrates, bromides, sulfates, alkalinity, hardness and related parameters using ion chromatography, flow injection analysis, and wet chemistry techniques. 
 

2. Conducts organic chemical analysis for volatile and semi-volatile organic, pesticides, disinfection by-products and other EPA "500 Series" drinking water analyses using gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. 
 

3. Conducts trace metals analysis by atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy (graphite furnace, flame and cold vapor mercury analyzer, potentiometric stripping). 
 

4. Conducts bacteriological tests of water samples such as colilert method coliform testing, multiple tube fermentation, and heterotrophic plate counts. 
 

5. Conducts gravimetric and physical tests of water samples, such as turbidity, conductivity, pH, and suspended and dissolved solids.

6. Reduces, analyzes and validates data.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES - Continued 
 

7. Maintains various records and prepares a variety of periodic and special reports of data and results as required by Standard Methods, sound operations, Water Resources Section, and regulatory agencies. 
 

8. Adapts published analytical methods for Zone 7 laboratory operations; prepares and maintains laboratory operating procedures and quality assurance manuals. 
 

9. Verifies equipment functioning using known standard samples; troubleshoots, adjusts, calibrates and maintains equipment; determines need for further repairs; sets up and tests new laboratory equipment. 
 

10. Monitors stock levels and maintains laboratory supplies; changes gas tanks. 
 

11. Conducts special analyses and studies to support operations and modifications projects. 
 

12. Trains and provides direction to Laboratory Technicians. 
 

13. Maintains current knowledge of new techniques and equipment, the requirements and recommendations of American Water Works Association, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Health Services, and other organizations; and analyzes performance evaluation samples to maintain laboratory certification. 
 

14. Collects water samples in field; operates Zone 7 vehicles.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: 
 

Graduation from an accredited college or university with specialization in chemistry, microbiology, or a similar science, which included courses in analytical chemistry or microbiology.

And

Experience: 
 

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience performing analytical chemistry in a regulated laboratory setting, which has included experience in wet chemistry techniques, atomic absorption, flow injection, gas and liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography. 
 

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 ABILITIES 
 

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification. 
 

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.

RS:dj

5/18/94

Old document:  1250h

New document:  Jobspecs/4950

ys/5/01

CSC Date:  5/18/94