Water Quality Specialist

Starting Wage: $38.17 - $47.75 per hour Position Open Until Filled First Scheduled Interviews - August 4, 2026 Overview Do you take pride in work that directly protects the health and well-being of your community? As a Water Quality Specialist with the City of Gig Harbor, you will play a vital role in ensuring residents and businesses have access to safe, reliable drinking water every day. This position combines science, problem-solving, fieldwork, and collaboration to safeguard the citys public water system through water quality monitoring, regulatory compliance, system inspections, sampling, data analysis, and proactive maintenance programs. You will work closely with operations staff, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public to identify and resolve water quality concerns while helping ensure the citys water system meets the highest standards for safety and reliability. If you seek a career where your expertise makes a meaningful difference every day, you are invited to join our team in protecting one of our communities most essential public resources. The water quality specialist performs a variety of technical and regulatory compliance duties including inspections of new and existing water service connections for compliance with contamination and cross connection control, administers the City’s Cross Connection Backflow Program, tests and maintains the city’s backflow assemblies, conducts water sampling and monitoring of distribution systems for chemical and bacteriological analysis, investigates and resolves customer complaints concerning water quality, administers water quality monitoring programs, wellhead protection and public outreach efforts. Essential Functions Administers the city’s Cross Connection Control and Backflow program to ensure that all water service connections comply with Washington State Department of Health and City of Gig Harbor cross connection and backflow requirements. This includes investigating existing and new commercial and residential water service to determine risk, ensuring appropriate backflow assemblies are installed to protect the public water supply, managing the city’s backflow assembly tracking system (Swift Comply), and ensuring backflow assemblies are tested and tracked annually according to state and city requirements. Test and maintain backflow assemblies and log results in the city’s backflow database. Receive and investigate customer complaints and trouble calls regarding water quality, determine probable cause, recommend corrective action, and resolve problems. Perform complex cross connection inspections and plan reviews for residential, commercial, and industrial properties: review construction documents to ensure compliance with cross connection regulations, determine backflow assembly requirements, inspect premises for adherence to regulations; maintain database, compose correspondence, and advise customers and contractors on cross connection control. Maintain accurate field records for water quality monitoring, collect water samples for analysis, and perform chlorine residual, iron and manganese, turbidity, and other quality measurements. Use computer programs, databases, and spreadsheets to validate, analyze, and manage data and generate technical reports and related correspondence for water quality monitoring and cross connection control programs. Coordinate with other agencies and regulatory bodies on program changes affecting water quality. Operate various equipment and machinery such as computers, radios, cell phones, digital cameras, calculators, and water quality testing equipment. Coordinate with City departments, personnel, and customers regarding water quality operations. Complete water sampling. Safely operate hand and power tools and equipment. Operate equipment such as forklifts, cranes, portable generators, pumps, pressure washers, and related equipment. Store, account for, and safely handle hazardous chemicals per Safety Data Sheets and safety practices. May perform duties across all disciplines of the public works operations division. Use a computer or tablet to utilize the city’s asset management and maintenance program (OpenGOV). Accurately complete water service requests. Review plans and approve plumbing permits and business licenses pertaining to cross connection requirements. Participate in required continuing education and training programs related to public water systems. May assist in training of lesser-experienced staff. Perform administrative work as assigned. Support water operators in the operation of the city’s eductor truck. Maintain punctual and reliable attendance. Key Competencies Knowledge of: Material, methods, practices, and techniques commonly used in construction, maintenance, and repair activities as related to water system construction. General principles of water system operation, repair, and maintenance. Work hazards, safety standards and procedures, and OSHA/WISHA regulations. Asset management program. Computer-based systems including telemetry systems, Supervisory Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) programs, and the ability to adjust them under supervision. Backflow assembly tracking program, Swift Comply. Confined space entry practices. Utilization and care of materials and equipment. Ability to: Communicate effectively with other employees and the public, individually and in groups, in person, by phone, and in writing. Interact with the public in a courteous manner and establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members, co-workers, and partner organizations. Work independently and make appropriate decisions regarding methods and priorities with professionalism and discretion. Assist others to comply with standards and/or contract terms. Adjust priorities as new issues or assignments arise. Show initiative in performing job functions. Meet project deadlines; may require working more than forty hours per week. Wear protective clothing and equipment such as rain and snow gear, hard hat, hearing protection, respirators, boots, goggles, and gloves. Skill in: Operating compressors, pneumatic tools, hand tools, paint equipment, power tools, and other tools and equipment used in water utility maintenance. Operating flatbed, light-duty trucks, backhoe, street sweeper, dump truck, skid steer, bucket truck, eductor truck, and other vehicles and heavy equipment as needed. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing essential functions of this job. This job is performed indoors and outdoors. The employee is regularly exposed to weather conditions and may face risks such as dust, grease, mud, and moving vehicles or machines. The noise level is moderate to high. The role may require several hours per week in an office setting, working at a desk on a computer. Schedule: Typical hours are Monday-Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm with a 30-minute meal break, with potential evenings, early mornings, weekends, on-call rotation, and occasional holidays. The position is essential and may require on-site presence. Alternative work arrangements may be available following the probationary period. Driving and Travel: Driving is typically up to 15 hours per week within city limits. Travel to various locations for site work or meetings is required, as well as possible travel to other sites for trainings or conferences. Qualification Education and Experience Any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the job may be considered. High school diploma or GED. Experience working for a public works department or government agency preferred. General experience with tools and equipment such as light-duty or flatbed trucks, shovels, rakes, posthole diggers, compactors, chainsaws, etc. General experience with eductor trucks, backhoes, and dump trucks preferred. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite. Certificates and Licenses The following certifications and licenses are required (or must be obtained within stated timeframes) and must be maintained for the duration of employment. Washington State Department of Health Cross Connection Specialist Certification Washington State Department of Health Backflow Assembly Tester Certification (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire) State flagging card or ability to obtain within six months of hire First Aid/CPR card or ability to obtain within six months of hire Valid Washington State driver’s license (or ability to obtain within 30 days) and two years of driving experience Commercial Class A Washington State Driver’s License (CDL) with a Tanker endorsement, preferred Forklift Operators License or ability to obtain within six months of hire Physical Characteristics The physical attributes described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and sit. The role involves using hands to manipulate objects and operate equipment; vision requirements include various acuities. The employee may stand, walk over uneven surfaces, climb, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, crawl, and reach; lifting of moderately heavy items may be required. Additional Requirements A history of and ability to maintain safe and responsible driving that meets the city’s motor vehicle record minimum driving requirements. Ability to pass position-related pre-employment screening. Ability to pass a pre-employment medical exam and maintain fitness required to perform essential functions. This job description may be modified to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment. This description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change by the employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr