Water Quality Compliance Officer

at  Region of Waterloo

Job Req ID: 1041
Department: Water Quality Operations
Water Quality Compliance Officer
Job Number: 1041
Job Type: Temporary Full Time
Temp Contract Length: Up to 4 months
Location: 2069 Ottawa St S - Mannheim Water Treatment Plant
Job Category: Environmental
Number of Positions: 1
Department: Water Quality Operations
Division: Engineering and Environmental Services
Hours of Work: 35
Union: CUPE 1883
Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 013
Salary Range: $40.28 - $45.64 per hour
Posting Date: May 16, 2024

OUR STORY:

Committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations, the Region of Waterloo is an inclusive, thriving and sustainable region of connected rural and urban communities with global reach. Our mission is to serve, engage and inspire, by delivering quality services to a diverse population of 630,000+, while creating a healthy, collaborative environment of learning, respect and innovation.
This is a place where employees are valued and recognized for their talents and contributions to our success. Our employees take pride in making a difference in people’s lives through the work that we do. We are looking for people like you to help make it happen.
The Role
Monitors, audits, and inspects the Region’s water supply and distribution systems to ensure they are operated and maintained per municipal drinking water licenses, regulations, and legislation. Prepares annual compliance reports for the Ministry per mandated timelines. Prepares water quality reports for consumers per legislation. Monitors and ensures the sampling program is completed per regulations and quality management standards. Coordinates and maintains laboratory equipment, supplies, and standards for the Mannheim water treatment plan process laboratory. Participates to resolve customer complaints regarding water quality.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Collects and analyzes operational and compliance samples for water quality analysis. Participates in the chemical and biological sampling for the water supply system as required. Conducts field samples, including residential properties, and submits samples to the laboratory. Reports adverse drinking water results per legislation.
• Assists in maintaining and auditing drinking water quality management systems to ensure effectiveness and compliance. Addresses corrective action requests generated by auditors per specified timelines.
• Reviews and tests for drinking water system operational parameters per regulations and ensures compliance with regulations, permits, and licenses. Suggests corrective action on issues, as required (e.g., flow exceedance, chlorine residuals).
• Monitors water supply sampling program to ensure compliance with licensing conditions, regulations, and departmental requirements. Advises supervisor of non-compliance and makes recommendations for adjustments/revisions, where necessary. Reviews water quality testing results, compares to standards, and explains variances. Inputs data and assists to maintain water quality database.
• Monitors, inspects, and audits analytical, operations, disinfection, and maintenance systems related to treatment, pumping, storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and ensures they are operated and maintained per license, regulations, and legislation. Works with supervisor to implement, monitor, and audit compliance programs per legislated and regulations. Reports non-compliance events to supervisor immediately. Makes recommendations to supervisor for program modification based on deficiencies observed and changes in legislation.
• Researches, monitors, and evaluates water treatment processes, legislation, practices, and technological developments. Reviews and assesses technical reports related to process, facility, and collection system design and construction. Recommends new and expanded process and treatment initiatives. Assists with projects, including commissioning and monitoring programs. Provides information to senior management and the Ministry, under supervisor’s guidance.
• Prepares reports on compliance status for management review. Assists supervisor to prepare annual water quality reports for consumers per legislation and mandated deadlines.
• With supervisor, develops policies and procedures, maintains active well inventory, and performs well isolation (e.g., lockout) for compliance or operational related issues.
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water quality, as notified by supervisor. Communicates with area municipalities to coordinate resolution of client concerns. Schedules and obtains samples and other related information. Requests chemical test parameters to define problems. Shares results with customers and prepares reports for review by supervisor. Maintains a computerized customer complaint database.
• Schedules, coordinates, and performs analyzer verification/calibrations and annual equipment certification on handheld and benchtop analytical instruments as required by legislation.
• Maintains an inventory of laboratory equipment/instruments, chemicals, and supplies for the Mannheim water treatment plant process laboratory. Tracks and prepares expired chemicals for safe disposal.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains detailed lab records to be provided for audits and Ministry inspections.
• Establishes, implements, and maintains testing SOP, procedures, and protocols to ensure quality assurance/quality control of process sample analysis.
• Researches new technologies and recommends new instruments/equipment to supervisor.
• Provides minor technical servicing, and training and technical guidance on analytical testing, instrument operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Performs water quality analysis on samples from groundwater/surface water sources (e.g., pH, alkalinity, colour, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, iron ammonia, chloramines, UVT, ozone.) Tests water treatment chemicals. Enters, interprets, and draws conclusions from data and generates reports/studies on same. Verifies accuracy of results.
• Performs water treatment studies to optimize water treatment performance and treatment dosing, including Jar test, Ozone decay, Hydrogen peroxide studies, chlorine demand, and chlorine decay studies. Trends results from same and develops dosage charts. Prepares reports based on conclusions. Informs supervisor of concerns with test results.
• Prepares lab-grade chemical reagents/water and standard solutions.
• Maintains and updates data/results in logbooks and internal operational database.
• Schedules and attends Ministry inspections of regional sites, and responds directly to questions or concerns related to compliance inspections.
• Collects samples and conducts analysis for research, studies, and pilot projects; researches data and information; and prepares and presents information as requested.
• Organizes, conducts, and assists supervisor with public tours of water facilities.
• Maintains testing equipment used for own work, lab use, by field staff in good working condition.
• Purchases supplies and training courses using a purchasing card.
• Works independently and plans and prioritizes work. Escalates non-compliance issues to supervisor, and consults with same for unusual, complex, or politically sensitive issues.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough practical knowledge of water chemistry, analytical chemistry, water treatment, water distribution, municipal water supply systems, and water quality assessments, acquired through a 3-year community college diploma in water treatment or a related field, plus 4 years of related technical experience.
• Must attain Operator-in-Training within 6 months of hire and work towards Class 1 Water Treatment Certification. Must keep required certification current and meet annual training requirements.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, practices, and standards. Thorough knowledge of Ontario Drinking Water Standards, surface and ground water chemistry, AWWA standards and practices, and health and safety legislation. Knowledge of first aid and WHMIS, including safety procedures. Knowledge of the municipal drinking water licenses program, including drinking water quality management standards.
• Analytical skills to interpret results from potable water systems.
• Human relations and communication skills to explain water test results and procedures and discuss operational issues with regional and area municipal staff; interact with customers who are upset or frustrated; deliver presentations during staff training and when conducting public tours of water treatment facilities; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read water resource periodicals to learn about advances in water quality and treatment and write technical reports on water quality programs and issues.
• Ability to interpret, and explain data, SOPs, technical drawings, operational and maintenance manuals to Ministry inspectors, staff, and the public; water test results and procedures to other staff and the public, using technical and plain language to ensure proper understanding.
• Organizational skills to work independently, schedule work, and meet deadlines for report generation and submission.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office, SCADA, eRIS, and maintain water quality database and spreadsheet applications.
• Must have a valid G driver’s license (or G2 with 3 years of driving experience) and satisfactory driving record to operate corporate vehicles.
• Ability to flex/alter hours when urgent water quality sampling is required.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.

The Region of Waterloo is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At the Region, we respect, encourage and celebrate our diversity. The Region of Waterloo is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require an accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs.
Alternate formats of this document are available upon request. Please contact the Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400, TTY number (519-575-4608) to request an alternate format.
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, only those candidates selected for an interview with be contacted through email. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).

Duties/Responsibilities

• Collects and analyzes operational and compliance samples for water quality analysis. Participates in the chemical and biological sampling for the water supply system as required. Conducts field samples, including residential properties, and submits samples to the laboratory. Reports adverse drinking water results per legislation.
• Assists in maintaining and auditing drinking water quality management systems to ensure effectiveness and compliance. Addresses corrective action requests generated by auditors per specified timelines.
• Reviews and tests for drinking water system operational parameters per regulations and ensures compliance with regulations, permits, and licenses. Suggests corrective action on issues, as required (e.g., flow exceedance, chlorine residuals).
• Monitors water supply sampling program to ensure compliance with licensing conditions, regulations, and departmental requirements. Advises supervisor of non-compliance and makes recommendations for adjustments/revisions, where necessary. Reviews water quality testing results, compares to standards, and explains variances. Inputs data and assists to maintain water quality database.
• Monitors, inspects, and audits analytical, operations, disinfection, and maintenance systems related to treatment, pumping, storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and ensures they are operated and maintained per license, regulations, and legislation. Works with supervisor to implement, monitor, and audit compliance programs per legislated and regulations. Reports non-compliance events to supervisor immediately. Makes recommendations to supervisor for program modification based on deficiencies observed and changes in legislation.
• Researches, monitors, and evaluates water treatment processes, legislation, practices, and technological developments. Reviews and assesses technical reports related to process, facility, and collection system design and construction. Recommends new and expanded process and treatment initiatives. Assists with projects, including commissioning and monitoring programs. Provides information to senior management and the Ministry, under supervisor’s guidance.
• Prepares reports on compliance status for management review. Assists supervisor to prepare annual water quality reports for consumers per legislation and mandated deadlines.
• With supervisor, develops policies and procedures, maintains active well inventory, and performs well isolation (e.g., lockout) for compliance or operational related issues.
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water quality, as notified by supervisor. Communicates with area municipalities to coordinate resolution of client concerns. Schedules and obtains samples and other related information. Requests chemical test parameters to define problems. Shares results with customers and prepares reports for review by supervisor. Maintains a computerized customer complaint database.
• Schedules, coordinates, and performs analyzer verification/calibrations and annual equipment certification on handheld and benchtop analytical instruments as required by legislation.
• Maintains an inventory of laboratory equipment/instruments, chemicals, and supplies for the Mannheim water treatment plant process laboratory. Tracks and prepares expired chemicals for safe disposal

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Maintains detailed lab records to be provided for audits and Ministry inspections.
• Establishes, implements, and maintains testing SOP, procedures, and protocols to ensure quality assurance/quality control of process sample analysis.
• Researches new technologies and recommends new instruments/equipment to supervisor.
• Provides minor technical servicing, and training and technical guidance on analytical testing, instrument operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Performs water quality analysis on samples from groundwater/surface water sources (e.g., pH, alkalinity, colour, tubidity, dissolved oxygen, iron ammonia, chloramines, UVT, ozone.) Tests water treatment chemicals. Enters, interprets, and draws conclusions from data and generates reports/studies on same. Verifies accuracy of results.
• Performs water treatment studies to optimize water treatment performance and treatment dosing, including Jar test, Ozone decay, Hydrogen peroxide studies, chlorine demand, and chlorine decay studies. Trends results from same and develops dosage charts. Prepares reports based on conclusions. Informs supervisor of concerns with test results.
• Prepares lab-grade chemical reagents/water and standard solutions.
• Maintains and updates data/results in logbooks and internal operational database.
• Schedules and attends Ministry inspections of regional sites, and responds directly to questions or concerns related to compliance inspections.
• Collects samples and conducts analysis for research, studies, and pilot projects; researches data and information; and prepares and presents information as requested.
• Organizes, conducts, and assists supervisor with public tours of water facilities.
• Maintains testing equipment used for own work, lab use, by field staff in good working condition.
• Purchases supplies and training courses using a purchasing card.
• Works independently and plans and prioritizes work. Escalates non-compliance issues to supervisor, and consults with same for unusual, complex, or politically sensitive issues.
• Performs related duties as assigned