Water Quality Technician 1

Water Quality Technician(2 Positions)
Classification Title: Water Quality Technician 1
Location: 1620 Ridge Road, Building A, Largo, FL 33778
Protecting public health and the environment is a top priority in Pinellas County Utilities.Come and join our team.
The Water Quality Division manages numerous Water Quality programs designed to protect the quality of our water. It places the highest value on the quality and reliability of our products and services, including compliance with strict regulatory standards. The Industrial Pretreatment Program, the Grease Management Program, Wastewater Regulatory Monitoring and Sampling Program, and the Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) project ensure the protection of waterways by controlling wastewater discharge from industry and non-domestic sources to the municipal sewer collection systems and treatment facilities; sampling and monitoring of the wastewater discharge; and sampling and reporting for sanitary sewer overflows.
Water Quality Monitoring also oversees Drinking Water Compliance and Monitoring, Flushing Programs, and Customer Complaint Response and maintains an extensive dynamic urban water distribution system. Water Quality Management is the leader in the region, providing the highest quality water to our customers while protecting public health. With a unique and complex utility system focused on sustainability, Pinellas County Utilities' vision is to be the standard for public service in America.
We are seeking a self-driven Water Quality Technician 1 to perform specialized field and technical work performing flushing tasks and associated responsibilities in monitoring, scheduling, and maintaining Water Quality-related issues connected with the operation of a water distribution system. The position works explicitly on flushing the water distribution system utilizing techniques to optimize Water Quality, focusing on equipment and technologies that ensure drinking water and surface water discharge comply with Federal and State regulations. The incumbent checks and monitors the Water Quality in the distribution system and flushes hydrants and blow-offs. They also review reports, maintenance schedules, and equipment to maintain Water Quality and flushing for an assigned area. The position initiates, prepares, and reviews work orders, covering maintenance, repairs, and improvements. The duties and responsibilities of the job require the incumbent to be proactive and work independently or in teams to assess and document existing and emerging potential problems to ensure timely action on service requests and maintenance plans.
Our Benefits Rank #1

• Health, vision, prescription, dental, life insurance, and a flexible spending account (FSA) option.Click here for more benefits details.

Biweekly Medical Plan Premiums:
Employee Only: $12.12
Employee and Spouse or Domestic Partner: $139.97
Employee and Child(ren): $111.66
Family: $229.32

• 9-11 paid County holidays; 2 floating holidays and 2 personal days (pro-rated); annual leave (accrue 15 days in first year).
• Florida Retirement System, Employees contribute 3% and the county contributes 6.3%for regular status employees enrolled in the FRS Pension Plan.
• See contribution breakdown on FRS.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement

Essential Tasks

• Makes independent Water Quality assessments on how to correct distribution system Water Quality issues through flushing and initiates or performs actions toimplement corrections to resolve customer complaints.
• Performs independent evaluations and recommends installing Automatic Flushing Devices (AFD) and new blow-offs to maintain Water Quality.
• Performs problem-solving, assembly, part replacement, and inventory activities related to automatic flushing devices (AFDs).
• Reviews utility distribution system maps to determine the water source and flow, proper valves, and adequate flushing locations to conduct specific flushing activitiesthroughout the distribution system.
• Determines the frequency of flushing activity in an area based on acquired knowledge of a water distribution area and what is needed to maintain compliant Water Quality parameters.
• Determines the operational status of valves, hydrants, and blow-offs and has the knowledge and skills necessary to properly document the equipment and the repairs needed to generate work orders for follow-up repairs.
• Operates water distribution system infrastructure, including valves, hydrants, and blow-offs, utilizing various flushing techniques to restore and maintain Water Quality.
• Operates programmable equipment to control and adjust automatic flushing devices to ensure Water Quality compliance.
• Maintains and operates monitoring equipment and assures applicable quality control/quality assurance procedures are followed.
• Implements water distribution flushing plans and procedures using automated technologies for mapping and other applications.
• Prepares written or electronic reports covering customer complaints and generates service maps of the water distribution system, calculations, maintenance requirements, and Water Quality characteristics.
• Applies basic water monitoring procedures while utilizing flushing techniques and operating valves, blowoffs, and fire hydrants in connection with distribution system maintenance and other flushing processes.
• Monitors, schedules, tracks, and completes planned or scheduled preventative/corrective maintenance flushing, projects, and tasks.
• Collects and maintains technical Water Quality data and evaluates historical trends.
• Generates field data records containing the flushing locations, infrastructure utilized, flow, and water loss;
• Maintains the inventory of parts and tools required for repairs.
• Responds to customer complaints and offer answers to routine issues.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Position Specific Requirements
Experience - professional utility field experience responsible for water delivery system, Water Quality monitoring/flushing, flushing-related system inspections, and writing corrective action work order requests and flushing maintenance tracking reports.
Degree:Environmental, physical, natural, biological science, or related field.

• High school graduate and four years of experience as described above; or
• Associate degree with major course work as described above and two years of experience as described above; or
• Bachelor's or higher-level degree with major coursework as described above.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Driver's License upon hire with eligibility based upon a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) driving report evaluation.
• Assignment to work various work schedules, including compulsory work periods in special emergencies and/or disasters.

Highly Desirable

• Possession of a Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) Class 3 Distribution System Operator License as set forth in Chapter 403, Florida Statutes.
• Bachelor's degree with major course work in environmental, physical, natural or biological science, engineering, or related field.
• Strong technical and analytical aptitude.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to be flexible and adjust to changing work demands.
• Strong computer skills, including GIS, work management systems, etc.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of water distribution system operations, including the basic water treatment principles.
• Knowledge of conventional, unidirectional, and alternative pipe cleaning and flushing methods.
• Knowledge of drinking Water Quality characteristics, including odor, color, clarity, and disinfectant levels.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and recognized safety operating practices for field monitoring activities and a safe workplace.
• Knowledge of county and department procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of water distribution system hydraulics.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and recognized safety operating practices for field monitoring activities, a safe workplace, and laboratory work.
• Ability to formulate and present ideas and findings clearly and concisely in written, oral, or graphic form.
• Ability to interact tactfully and courteously with the public, co-workers, and other agencies professionally.
• Ability to operate water distribution infrastructure such as valves, fire hydrants, and blow-offs and evaluate maintenance requirements.
• Ability to perform flow and water discharge mathematical calculations.
• Ability to compose and type e-mails, letters, standard operating procedures, or proposals.
• Ability to adjust work schedule as needed to support organizational needs of a 24/7 operation.
• Ability to be available for emergency needs 24/7 (disaster situation).
• Ability to apply computer applications and software.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, plats, maps, aerial photos, and diagrams.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Ability to lead by example and show a positive attitude.

Physical/Mental Demands
The work is medium work which requires exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: Picking, holding, or otherwise working, primarily with the whole hand.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Visual ability: sufficient to effectively operate office equipment including copier, computer, etc.; and to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Hearing ability:sufficient to hold a conversation with other individuals both in person and over a telephone; and to hear recording on transcription device.
• Speaking ability: sufficient to communicate effectively with other individuals in person and over a telephone.
• Mental acuity: Ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Repetitive motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in a dynamic environment that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

This position has supplemental questions. If unable to complete all questions, you may save your answers as a draft during the application process and return at any time prior to the closing date. Please note that the application is complete upon final submission.