City of Tampa

This is highly responsible technical and public contact work in planning and directing water quality activities.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing assignments of unusual difficulty involving planning and directing water quality activities to comply with current and proposed federal and state drinking water regulations and internal Water Department standards. Work is performed under general direction and includes responsibility for planning and directing research activities that will provide continuous improvement in water treatment involving source water, treatment, chemical application, microbiological monitoring, and other areas that affect water quality. Work of this class requires that the employee exercise extensive initiative and independent judgement. The employee directs, reviews and analyzes the preparation of all water quality studies and reports and represents the City on water quality issues to regional and national programs such as Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Tampa Bay Water (TBW), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in addition to acting as liaison to the EPA, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and other regulatory agencies. This employee also develops, directs and participates in public education and employee development programs. In addition to preparing the annual budget, the employee supervises subordinate professional, technical, and clerical staff, and administers such facets of the personnel program as employee discipline, training, and performance evaluations. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.

Plans and directs the water quality activities to comply with current and proposed federal and state drinking water regulations and the internal standards of the department; reviews and analyzes water quality studies and reports; reviews and comments on related rulemaking efforts and legislation concerning water quality issues.

Directs and reviews the preparation of all water quality reports necessary to meet the requirements of regulatory agencies and Water Production Operations section; directs and reviews the appropriate laboratory certification and quality assurance programs; oversees the water quality laboratory technical as well as the field water quality staff.

Coordinates the following activities through the Lab Supervisor and the Field Water Quality Supervisor: sample collection, responses to customer concerns, cross connection control and inspections performed by the field staff.

Acts as liaison with external agencies such as the EPA, FDEP, Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Agency (HCEPC), and the Hillsborough County Department of Health (HCDOH) regarding water quality issues and public health concerns related to drinking water; represents the department on water quality issues to regional and national programs such as SWFWMD, TBW, and EPA.

Develops, directs and participates in public education and employee development programs on water quality and related health issues.

Plans and directs research activities which will provide continuous improvement in water treatment involving source water, treatment, chemical application, microbiological monitoring, ecological surveys, and other areas that affect water quality; participates in the development of programs for source water protection.

Coordinates implementation of research results and treatment studies in order to enhance the efficiency, productivity and safety of water production.

Assists in the development and operation of pilot plant operations; develops and maintains efficient and effective operating procedures for the Water Quality Section; assists in the development of operational procedures for treatment and distribution system maintenance which have water quality impacts.

Prepares annual budget requests, controls expenditures and submits recommendations for capital improvements.

Administers such facets of the personnel program as staffing, employee discipline, leave requests, employee performance evaluations, and discipline; supervises and trains professional, technical, and clerical staff in policy and procedures of the Water Quality Section, the department, and the City.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of: water contaminants and toxic substances and their related health effects; current and proposed drinking water quality regulations; water quality issues in large distribution systems; all phases of water treatment including physical, chemical, and microbial treatment methods; laboratory procedures related to water testing and water treatment; water quality analytical techniques; effective supervisory and personnel administration techniques; laboratory certification and quality assurance methods; budget preparation and expenditure controls.

Ability to: provide leadership to water quality technicians and professionals in order to achieve established goals of department; analyze problems and instruct employees in analytical methods and testing procedures; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; plan the work of, assign, direct, train, and instruct subordinate personnel; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, employees, the general public, and federal, state and county officials.

Skill in: preparing and reviewing technical reports and research summaries; managing and obtaining funding from outside agencies in support of research efforts; preparing and presenting public presentations on technical issues.

Mostly sedentary, indoors, requires extended use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree (preferably a doctorate degree) in biology, chemistry, microbiology or a related field and seven (7) years in water quality assurance experience at the management and professional level, including five (5) years of experience in water quality regulatory issues, surface water quality, chemical and biological analysis and interpretation, plus distribution system water quality issues and research funding; OR

An equivalent combination of education (not less than possession of a high school diploma/GED), training and experience that would reasonably be expected to provide the job-related competencies noted above.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.