Source Water Quality Specialist

Location

Halifax, NS | Canada

Job description

Primary Function

The Source Water Quality Specialist provides technical support and monitoring for source water quality for drinking water treatment through research, execution of monitoring programs, laboratory analysis, data analysis, response to adverse source water events, technical report preparation and providing recommendations to the Water Quality Manager. Works closely with the Watershed Manager to execute source water protection monitoring programs and other associated tasks.

You will be responsible for your personal safety and that of your co-workers by observing all Occupational Health and Safety Rules and Regulations and Halifax Water’s Occupational Health and Safety Program Manual.

Duties & Responsibilities

Provides technical support and monitoring for source water quality:

• Executing routine source water monitoring programs (both tributary and deep lake sampling). Field work requires sampling from streams, rivers and by boat. Programs consist of chemical, biological and hydrological monitoring components.
• Operate and maintain both field and laboratory water quality equipment, including QA/QC programs and SOP/method development where required.
• Conduct water quality laboratory analysis for source water parameters using basic and advanced analytical equipment (i.e. ATP, colour, qPCR, microscopy).
• Performing emergency source water sampling, investigation, analysis and experiments in response to source water quality events as required.
• Routinely reviewing and analyzing source water data to determine trends and anomalies.
• Troubleshooting, cross-checking and reporting on unusual source water quality tests performed by Halifax Water staff or provided by external agencies.
• Designing and carrying out research projects, to investigate changes to source water quality and source water management options.
• Facilitate research and perform source water quality testing required by external agencies, including universities, consultants, or stakeholders.
• Liaising with agencies conducting source water quality research at Halifax Water facilities to ensure the work is completed safely and integrates seamlessly with facility operations.
• Assisting in evaluating new instruments and tools and maintaining existing instruments and tools for source water analysis in the field and laboratory.
• Continuing to research and stay current with knowledge of source water monitoring and management programs, best practices and analytical methods and update/develop programs accordingly.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive record keeping systems as required.
• Coordinate and prepare reports including annual reports, Board reports, UARB reports, and other reporting as required.
• Perform other related duties as required by the Water Quality Manager or Watershed Manager.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Water Quality Manager

Supervises: n/a

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Education:

• Undergraduate Science or Engineering degree in water resources, limnology, hydrology or environmental science. A technical diploma in Engineering Sciences or Water Resources or other related fields may be considered along with seven (7) or more years’ experience in surface water monitoring, management, or research.

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of related experience required in surface water quality monitoring, management, and/or research.

Other Requirements

Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:

• Pleasure Craft Operating Card
• Driver’s license
• Must be willing to undertake and maintain the following safety training:
  • First Aid
  • Globally Harmonized System (GHS) (Formerly WHMIS)
  • Additional safety training as identified based on legislative and operational requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with surface water quality monitoring and analytical techniques and equipment including water quality sondes, algal taxonomy, qPCR, and algal imaging techniques
• Comfortable working in remote environments and operating boats
• Working knowledge of current regulations regarding drinking water quality and surface water quality
• Research methods and skills
• Limnology, chemistry, hydrology, biology, and mathematics knowledge
• Advanced testing procedures for surface water quality including microbiology and chemical analysis
• Work and communicate effectively and courteously, both verbally and written, with internal and external contacts
• Research, plan, implement, control and complete projects as assigned with minimal supervision
• Demonstrate organizational skills and ability to keep detailed and accurate records
• Deal effectively with multiple demands and conflicting priorities
• Determine irregularities, take appropriate remedial action and/or advise supervisor
• Apply scientific method to carry out research and technical studies and investigate and solve water quality problems
• Able to translate experimental objectives into operational procedures, sample collection, preparation and analysis, data analysis and reporting
• Familiarity with hydrological monitoring techniques, stream gauging and stage-discharge curves.
• Advanced Computer literacy with office software products. Knowledge and experience with PI by OSIsoft, R programming as well as PowerBI and Microsoft Access
• Safety awareness
• Strong initiative
• Prepared to work outside regular working hours if required.

Hours of Work: As per Collective Agreement

Wage Rate: As per Collective Agreement

This is a CUPE Local 1431 Unionized position.

How to Apply

Applicants who applied previously for this competition do not need to reapply.

Completed cover letters and application forms [PDF] or resumes, stating Competition #HW24-09E must be received by 12 noon, February 9, 2024. Please forward to:

Mail

• Halifax Water
  HR Department
  P.O. Box 8388, RPO CSC
  Halifax, NS
  B3K 5M1

Fax

• 902-490-6934

Email

• [email protected]

Please note: Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.

Conditional Items Required for Employment:

• Satisfactory background check
• Satisfactory pre-employment testing

Halifax Water is an equal opportunity employer.

Halifax Water’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative of the community we serve, at all job levels. Halifax Water believes a diverse workforce positively contributes to its success, and the success of our community. We encourage applications from qualified African Nova Scotians, LGBTQ+ community, racially visible persons, women in non-traditional positions, persons with disabilities and Indigenous persons. Halifax Water encourages applicants to self-identify in the cover letter.

Job tags

Salary