Address
Form of workThe Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for the position of Senior Scientistin our Regulatory Compliance department. The current opening is part of the field monitoring team.
The District
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
The Position
Under minimal supervision, perform various routine and special sampling and analyses of potable water treatment, storage and distribution systems, wastewater treatment systems, and reclaimed water storage and distribution systems according to approved methodologies. Access complex facilities including water, wastewater, biosolids and recycled water treatment and distribution processes; interface with the Water Quality Team to determine sampling needs and drop-off collected samples; use and maintain sampling and monitoring equipment including composite samplers, pH and other similar handheld devices; respond to customer service calls via electronic communications and in person regarding water quality within the service area; provide compliance support including collecting reviewing and reporting data and information and communicating compliance status.
The ideal candidate would have a thorough understanding and background in regulatory permits, reporting, implementation of new requirements and sampling requirements for drinking water systems, wastewater facilities, recycled water, air quality and surface water. This candidate must show proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and the ability to use database software such as WIMS/LIMS. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of sampling methods, containers, Chain of Custody Records, and strong communication skills with laboratory staff as well as regulators. The Senior Scientist should have a strong background in leadership, proactive decision-making capabilities amongst constantly changing environments and District needs. This position must be able to work in an on-call rotation covering weekend shifts and after-hours emergencies.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is an advanced-journey level professional classification in the Regulatory Compliance series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Scientist level by exercising considerable independent action, initiative and problem solving. In addition to authoring and editing standard operating procedures and key work documents, Senior Scientists are expected to understand the principles and rationale for these documents. Senior Scientists demonstrate an in-depth technical knowledge of all standard sampling and analysis methods, instrumentation, equipment, and IRWD facilities. Most of the fieldwork is conducted independently with the exception of the boating, which is done in pairs. All work is used for compliance or process control purposes, so incumbents must strictly adhere to standard operating procedures and ethical work practices. In the absence of the supervisor, the Senior Scientist acts in a lead role capacity to direct staff and may be asked to perform supervisory tasks to ensure effective operations of the field monitoring team.Perform daily field monitoring of potable, recycled and wastewater systems throughout the service area.
Coordinate daily with the Regulatory Compliance field team to schedule monitoring routes and ensure all samples are collected.
Follow proper sampling methods including the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), proper sample collection containers, sample location and identification, the use of preservatives (when required), proper labeling and sealing, and proper storage and transport.
Draft, review and edit standard operating procedures, safe work practices, and cheat sheets for the field team.
Work independently while using an assigned work vehicle and other equipment for a majority of daily activities.
Provide training to staff at all levels to comply with work practices and requirements.
Implement the field team's Quality Assurance and Quality Control activities.
Tow, launch, drive, and recover a small watercraft for sampling some open reservoir locations.
Coordinate with the Water Quality Team (laboratory) for proper sample collection including timing, containers, and drop-off (chain of custody procedures).
Support Regulatory Compliance Administrative staff by drafting or assisting in the drafting of regulatory reports.
Support a variety of Regulatory Compliance Programs including: Drinking Water, Discharge permits (NPDES/WDR), and South Coast AQMD.
Coordinate with other agencies on monitoring and compliance (including OC San, SOCWA, and OCWD).
Implement IRWD's pretreatment and Fat, Oils, and Grease (FOG) programs including inspection, monitoring and report writing.
Use the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) program to schedule, track and review samples.
Attend relevant seminars and training to remain current with new technologies or advances in the environmental monitoring and potable/non-potable water fields.
Exercise safe handling and preparation procedures for chemicals and reagents used in the analysis and preservation of samples.
Adhere and comply with the Laboratory and District's Safety Policies and Procedures and complete/attend mandatory safety trainings.
Maintain appropriate inventory levels of chemicals, reagents, media, sample containers and operating supplies used in assigned analyses. Notify supervisor in a timely manner of restock needs to avoid out of stock conditions. Minimize excess inventory of chemicals and reagents that have a limited shelf life to reduce waste and disposal costs.
Assist with special project when assigned.
Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education:
- A combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or closely related scientific field is required. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
Experience:
- Five (5) years of technical knowledge of the general principles of sample collection, field monitoring, and monitoring equipment usage and maintenance is required.
- Professional internship experience at a water, wastewater or related agency may be considered.
Certifications/License:
- Valid California Class C driver's license is required.
IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others. Work efficiently and independently from oral and written instructions with a minimum of supervision. Independently perform a variety of operational tasks and activities. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication between laboratory, operations, and field staff on a daily basis. Ability to read, understand and interpret Material Safety Data Sheets and other safety documents. Strong attention to detail and documentation skills. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside suppliers and customers.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to manage time, organize, plan, and prioritize assignments.
Mathematical Ability
Ability to calculate dilutions of reagents and standards. Knowledge of units of measure and concentration used in a chemistry laboratory and in the water industry. Must be able to use stoichiometric and algebraic equations.
Technology Ability
Computer literacy in MS Office Software such as Word and Excel or equivalent spreadsheet and Word Processing Programs.
Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, walk, bend, stoop and stand for extended periods of time. Ability to correctly differentiate and interpret colors. Abilty to tolerate repetitive motion tasks. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. on a routine basis
Environmental Adaptability
Ability to work in an environment with exposure to malodorous chemicals or other materials in the laboratory. Noise level in the laboratory may be greater than typical office conditions.
