Water Quality Technician III - SFPUC (PBT-2482-121429)

  • Full-time
  • Certification Rule: Rule of 5
  • Exam Type: Class Based Test
  • Work Hours: Regular
  • Job Code and Title: 2482-Water Quality Technician III
  • Fill Type: Permanent Civil Service
  • Eligible List Type: Combined Promotive and Entrance

Company Description

7/1/22 Update: Filing deadline extended to broaden applicant pool.

GENERAL INFOMATION
•    Application Opening: June 8, 2022
•    Application Deadline: July 11, 2022
•    Analyst Name: Michelle Chee
•    Location: Multiple 
•    Annual Salary: $96,538 - $117,338

•    List ID: PBT-2482-121429; RTF0121428

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.

We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment.  We value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.

Job Description

Under general supervision, the Water Quality Tech III performs increasingly complex laboratory, field monitoring, and related duties to evaluate water and wastewater treatment plant operations and to determine industrial discharge compliance with pretreatment and source control standards. Position in these class are utilized in various capacities and are broken down in three different sections: Laboratory, which conduct chemical and microbiological analyses; Environmental/Field services, which collect water/wastewater samples, investigate and identify sources of water quality issues; and Field monitoring, which and oversee the collection of water/wastewater samples.  

Laboratory Services

  • Works as a lead technician: managing and leading projects and assignments; Trains and mentors Technician I/II
  • Performs physical, chemical, and microbiological laboratory analyses of drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, Industrial waste, and other environmental samples in accordance with ELAP procedures or EPA protocol in accordance to Laboratory QA/QC program
  • Conducts various analyses on samples of industrial discharges to the sewer system to determine the effectiveness of water or wastewater treatment plant operation
  • Collects samples from several sources: reservoirs, transmission lines, water and wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, beaches, marine/estuarine waterbodies, etc.
  • Prepares samples for the analysis of trace elements; assists chemists to complete analyses and operates chemical instrumentation
  • Receives samples following Laboratory established work instructions; properly filling out sample COCs and having an understanding of Sample Control
  • Receives samples, creates batches, performs analyses according to standard EPA protocols, enters data, submits data for review, and returns samples for archiving
  • Utilize the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to create batches, enter data, submit data for review, track materials/supplies, track reagent/standard expiration dates, and sample disposal.
  • Plans, schedules, and conducts equipment maintenance and repair on lab computers/ equipment, and field equipment; maintains and troubleshoots lab equipment
  • Assists in maintaining an adequate inventory of laboratory supplies and materials
  • Follows all laboratory safe practices and works with laboratory safety section to create a safe/healthy working environment
  • Communicates with Laboratory clients as needed to ensure high customer satisfaction

Environmental/Field Service

  • Works as a lead technician: managing, assigning, and oversee the work quality, completeness, and effectiveness of entry/journey level technicians
  • Performs physical, chemical, and microbiological field analyses of drinking water, wastewater, and other samples as necessary
  • Calibrates, operates, and troubleshoots all fields monitoring equipment including HACH SL1000, HACH 2100Q, HACH 9000, and other equipment 
  • Collects samples from various sources using approved procedures: transmission and distribution lines, water and wastewater treatment plants, groundwater and beaches etc.
  • Set up, pulls, empties, demobilizes, and decontaminates all field sampling equipment. Plans, schedules, and conducts equipment maintenance and repair program; maintains and troubleshoots technical analytical equipment
  • Receives and relinquishes samples, performs analyses according to standard EPA protocols, enters, reviews, and submits data
  • Provides certified testing of backflow assemblies while observing standard safety precautions, and maintains proper QA technique
  • Conducts special sampling in remote areas of the watershed and may be on-call fire response duty as water technician certified specialist
  • Develops standard operating procedures for field services
  • Maintains adequate inventory of consumable supplies and materials

Field Monitoring

  • Performs physical, chemical field analyses of non-potable samples
  • Plans, schedules, and conducts equipment maintenance and repair on sampling and portable field equipment/instrumentation; performs diagnostics of inoperative equipment
  • Calibrates/operates all field monitoring equipment; oversees QA/QC for field instruments
  • Conducts/Evaluates field sampling, analyses, and documentation in accordance with established QA/QC protocols
  • Conducts QA audits and prepares reports and summaries as required, records accuracy and precision measurements
  • Develops standard operating procedures for field monitoring; work with QA/QC section to improve techniques
  • Provides flow monitoring support while observing standard safety precautions and maintaining proper QA techniques
  • Works as a lead technician: managing, assigning, and oversee the work quality, completeness, and effectiveness of entry and journey level technicians
  • Applies ultrasonic, bubbler, area /velocity, and closed pipe flow meter techniques to various flow monitoring projects
  • Analyzes flow monitoring data using Windows Vision and Insight software

Qualifications

Education:
High school diploma or its equivalent (GED or High School Proficiency Examination)

Experience:
Five (5) years of verifiable experience performing water quality duties similar to those in class 2481 Water Quality Technician in a water or wastewater laboratory, a wastewater treatment facility, or a water collection, distribution system, or water treatment facility.

License and Certification:
Possession of a valid driver's license (California issued by hire)

Substitution:
Possession of an associate of science degree from an accredited college or university in biology, chemistry, microbiology, or a related field can substitute for up to two (2) years of the required experience.

Some positions require possession of one or more of the following:

  • Water Distribution Operator (D1) Certificate
  • Backflow Tester certification
  • CWEA Envirometnal Inspector Certificate, Grade I 

Verification of Education and Experience:
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.  Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment process. For education verification information, including verifying foreign education equivalency, click HERE

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
NoteFalsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com). 

Having Trouble? 
If you are having trouble with the application, please visit Smart Recruiter's FAQs or email [email protected].  It is suggested you use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge web browser to submit the application.  

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received. 

EXAM INFORMATION
Exam Type: 
Combined Promotive Entrance (CPE)
Certification Rule: Rule of Five (5)
Eligible List Duration: Twelve (12) months
The duration of the eligible list may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director. 

Selection Procedures
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

  1. Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) completed online (Qualifying)
  2. Online Supplemental Essay Exam (100%)

Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ)
Once the application is closed, qualified candidates will be sent a Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) to complete.  
Supplemental Questionnaire Essay Exam (100%)
The purpose of the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) is to evaluate the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities that candidates possess in job-related areas, which have been identified as critical for this position and include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of QA/QC procedures, knowledge of water/wastewater analysis, general principle of chemistry, knowledge of safety procedures in water/wastewater testing, analytical skills, and communication skills.

Qualified candidates will be sent email notices to complete the MQSQ and SQ exam. Failure to complete these steps by the established deadlines will result in disqualification. 
A passing score must be achieved on the exam to be placed on the eligible list and continue in the selection process.  Additional selection processes, like interviews, may be conducted by the hiring department prior to making final hiring decisions.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Score Report/Eligible List
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission. 

Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at 
https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ . 
The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Michelle Chee by email at [email protected].

MC/PBT-2482-112272 (01113391)

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

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