ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 400,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

We are looking to hire a Water Quality Supervisor, to join our Water Quality Department.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The incumbent will supervise Water Quality (WQ) department personnel who are responsible for the monitoring, analyzing, and recording of data related to the operation and maintenance of public drinking water systems.

The Supervisor is required to be part of the water quality after hours, emergency on-call staff and must be certified at the Grade III level by the State of Nevada in both Treatment and Distribution. The Water Quality Supervisor will regularly interact with and provide support to the Operations Department Director, Managers and Supervisors, and will be required to have sufficient knowledge to provide water treatment, water quality, and maintenance staff members with meaningful input and direction.

The incumbent is responsible for serving as the Laboratory Director, or other position(s) not currently filled for the State-Certified Laboratory and provide direct supervision to the water quality staff in the analyses of both treated drinking water and raw water to maintain a fully certified water quality laboratory.

The incumbent for this position will also serve as the Senior Microbiologist and/or Senior Chemist if not staffed by current laboratory personnel, and as such will be responsible for ensuring the requirements of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)/State-certified water quality laboratory in Microbiology and Chemistry are met. The incumbent submits reports to Local/State/EPA regulators to ensure compliance, oversees research and provides input on new and improved microbiological and chemistry-related methodology as the laboratory tests new concepts that could improve water quality, monitoring capability and/or reduce departmental expense. Oversees complex microbiological analyses using advanced techniques and state of the art microscopy. Receives and resolves simple and complex customer complaints and requests. Handles loss of pressure events in compliance with the regulatory standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
We believe that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor TMWA to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

• Establishes and maintains work standards for quality and quantity of work with an emphasis on providing exceptional customer service, enhancing inter and intradepartmental teamwork.
• Interviews, hires, plans, organizes, supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; takes disciplinary action up to and including termination to address performance deficiencies in accordance with TMWA’s Administrative Instructions.
• Provides an environment for open communication.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
• Works with the WQ and Environmental Permitting Manager in developing daily, weekly, monthly and annual work priorities.
• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings as necessary to understand and communicate information effectively.
• Establishes and maintains work standards for quality and quantity of work with an emphasis on providing exceptional customer service, enhancing inter and intradepartmental teamwork; develop and recommend improvements to workflow and internal procedures; recommend and implement improvements to laboratory systems including technology enhancements.
• Supervise and be able to conduct simple and complex water quality analyses (chemical, bacteriological and protozoological) and water sampling in a timely manner using EPA approved methodology and acceptable quality assurance procedures which assure all applicable certification requirements are met for both drinking water and pollution control samples.
• Read and interpret diagnostic test results and regulations applicable to water quality.
• Supervise and assist complex microbiological analyses using advanced techniques and state of the art microscopy.
• Support and participate in research on new and improved methodology as laboratory tests new concepts that could improve water quality, monitoring capability and/or reduce operating expense.
• Maintain microbiology and chemistry laboratory certifications with the EPA/State by assuring that all applicable certification requirements are met for all laboratory operations and oversee Proficiency Testing (PT) for water supply and water pollution laboratory certification.
• Supervise WQ staff to ensure accurate and timely reporting, compliance and plan/assign work tasks.
• Respond accordingly to all audits. Troubleshoot laboratory contamination problems using sound scientific judgment.
• Participate in the department’s training programs relative to laboratory methods, procedures and scientific problem solving. Supply scientific guidance to laboratory staff.
• Work closely with all water quality staff in performing routine microbiological and chemical sampling and analyses.
• Follow approved laboratory safety policies in chemical hygiene plan, OSHA regulations and other sources of information.
• Handle customer complaints in a professional manner.
• Participate in the Water Quality staff’s “on-call” rotation which requires 24-hour availability to handle all water quality issues.
• Oversee sample collection from distribution mains, tanks, pump stations and other facilities as necessary.
• Ensure all annual Quality Control is completed as required.
• Submit written responses, plans of action, management plans, etc. as required.
• Gather pertinent information from other groups within the company for collective reporting; Conduct required reporting (monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.) to State and Local agencies.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

Experience: At least seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in a certified laboratory completing water quality analyses and laboratory duties.
Education & Training: Bachelor’s Degree in biology, chemistry, engineering or related field which would provide a comprehensive understanding of bacteriology and chemistry.

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Nevada (or California – depending on state of residency) Driver License at time of hire and continuing thereafter and ability to maintain insurability under TMWA’s vehicle insurance policy.

State of Nevada Grade III Water Treatment and Water Distribution Operator certifications are required and must be obtained within a predetermined period of time. Progression to the C45 career band requires both State of Nevada Grade IV Water Distribution and Grade IV Treatment Operator Certifications and joining Water Treatment rotating on call list.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation during hire and periodically thereafter during employment.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of water quality, management and organization of laboratory methods, TMWA compliance and reporting; laboratory troubleshooting and best practices; process control methods and applications; LIMS, Mapping, SCADA computer operating systems; general methods and techniques of water treatment and distribution; advanced science and math; Microsoft Office software; pertinent Company, Federal, State and Local laws, statutes, codes, regulations, and ordinances; OSHA standards and safety precautions; local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of a potable water system including the Safe Drinking Water Act and EPA regulations; principles and practices of effective communication, management and supervision; principles of labor relations; standard office practices and procedures, including computer applications related to the work; resolve difficult and complex water quality challenges and issues.

Skill/Ability to:

Physically report to worksite and move from work site to work site to perform position duties; evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective courses of action; develop and implement goals, objectives policies procedures, work standards and management controls; exercise sound independent judgement with general policy guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, contractors, consultants, vendors, and others encountered in the course of work; use tact discretion and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people and customers to both internal and external; collaborate and cooperate with other departments on companywide projects and initiatives; understand, interpret, explain and adhere to federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and TMWA policies, procedures, and rules; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; model and encourage an organizational culture of inclusion and empower staff at all levels to take a solutions-focused approach to resolve problems and implement appropriate conflict management strategies; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials; contribution effectively to the accomplishment of team and departmental organizational goals, objectives and activities.

TMWA is an equal opportunity employer. It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination.

All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8294.

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well-being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well-being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug-free workplace policy.