Introduction
This position is part of the water quality and laboratory group of the City of Racine Water Utility.
Position Purpose
The Water Quality and Instrumentation Specialist plays a vital role in ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of the City of Racine Water Utility’s treatment and distribution systems. This position supports daily water plant operations through continuous monitoring of water quality, maintenance of analytical and instrumentation systems, laboratory testing, and regulatory compliance activities. Working collaboratively with plant operators, supervisors, management, and regulatory agencies, the Specialist provides technical expertise, assists with data analysis and reporting, supports safety initiatives, contributes to budgeting efforts, and participates in customer service and public education programs. The position is to perform plant technical studies, outreach programs, and projects under the direction of the Water Utility Director.
Hiring Salary is: $70,635 - $76,868
Essential Duties
The following duties are representative of the position and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned as required.
- Observe daily water plant operations and monitor raw, process, finished, and distribution water quality.
- Clean, calibrate, and maintain online water quality monitoring equipment in accordance with manufacturer schedules.
- Participates in outreach programs.
- Assist with chemical feed pump calibrations as necessary.
- Support the Operations Department with online gas chlorine sensors.
- Research and ensure compliance with water quality standards, mandates, and reporting requirements.
- Investigate operational or water quality issues and perform treatment plant studies.
- Maintain accurate treatment plant operating records and water quality analyses, reports, and documentation.
- Assist in the preparation and submittal of required reports to appropriate regulatory agencies.
- Aid in the development and maintenance of internal data collection platforms and perform data analysis.
- Follow all safety rules and regulations and actively participate in safety committee activities.
- Participate in ongoing safety, instrumentation, and professional training.
- Develop customer service and public education strategies; conduct tours of Water Utility facilities for school groups, community associations, and professional peers.
- Support plant operators with equipment troubleshooting and chemical deliveries by providing technical assistance.
- Assist supervisors across all plant departments as needed.
- Perform administrative assistant duties as directed.
- Consult on portions of the annual Racine Water Utility Operations & Maintenance and Capital Improvement budgets.
- Perform other tasks as directed by the Superintendent or Management.
Additional Tasks And Responsibilities
The following tasks may be performed at the Superintendent’s discretion and are not considered essential job functions:
- Conduct laboratory tests to determine water quality and plant performance.
- Perform laboratory testing and related work typically associated with a laboratory technician, technologist, or chemist.
- Serve as backup for laboratory weekend rotations as needed.
- Advise operators on adjustments to chemical feed systems based on testing and analytical results.
Conditions of Employment
Work locations include the water treatment plant, office settings, and various field sites. The role involves providing customer service and supporting community and client outreach activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Water Resources, or related field.
- 3-5 years surface water treatment plant experience, or any combination of education and water or wastewater treatment experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for years of experience.
- Experience in handling, maintaining and troubleshooting online water quality monitoring instruments is a plus
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Waterworks Operator S-1 and D-1 licenses required within one year of hire
- Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Office, Word, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required
- Ability to decide the time, place, and sequence of operations within an organizational framework, as well as the ability to oversee their execution. Ability to analyze and categorize data and information using established criteria, to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.
- Ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others. Ability to advise and interpret regarding the application of policies, procedures, and standards to specific situations.
- Ability to utilize consulting and advisory data and information such as plant operations reports, invoices, budgets, personnel reports and policies, engineering reports, State and Federal drinking water regulations and standards, purchase orders, non-routine correspondence, State statutes, OSHA and DILHR regulations, technical textbooks and periodicals, computer software operating manuals, and organizational analysis.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing with Utility personnel, State and Federal regulators, consultants, vendor representatives, labor union representatives, customers, and the public.
Special Requirements
Mathematical Ability
- Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas. Ability to interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
- Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing, and controlling.
- Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness, and creativity required in critical and/or unexpected situations involving high risk to the organization.
Environmental Adaptability
- Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as toxic agents, noise, and/or electrical currents may cause discomfort and poses little risk of injury
Physical Demands of the Position
- Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some required complex and rapid adjustments, such as computer terminals, calculators, chemical feed systems, pumps, laboratory equipment, etc.
- Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet, and limbs in performing semi-skilled movements such as data entry.
- Ability to exert very moderate physical effort in sedentary to light work, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.
- Ability to recognize and identify harmonious or contrasting combinations, as well as recognize individual characteristics of colors, forms, tastes, and odors associated with job-related objects, materials, and ingredients.
Equipment Used
- Computers, calculators, telephones, office equipment, electronic instrumentation, personal protective equipment, water treatment equipment, and machinery such as pumps, motors, engines, compressors, membranes, gauges, sensors, miscellaneous hand tools, laboratory apparatus, and analytical equipment.
This job description is intended to identify essential duties and illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed, it is expected that employees will maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the City of Racine.
The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
