Closing Date: August 27, 2012
MVR: Yes
Hiring Salary Range:
Water Quality Specialist II (ESP-02*) $23.72 to 30.25 hourly
Water Quality Specialist III (ESP-03*) $26.09 to $33.27 hourly
(*Grade level will be determined by qualifications and experience)
Denver Water proudly serves high-quality water and promotes its efficient use to 1.3 million people in the city of Denver and many surrounding suburbs. Denver Water aspires to be the best water utility in the nation. The organization is a responsible steward of the resources, assets and natural environment entrusted to us in order to provide a high-quality water supply, a resilient and reliable system, and excellent customer service.
Denver Water’s Operations and Maintenance Division is currently seeking two qualified candidates to fill the positions of Water Quality Specialist II or Water Quality Specialist III, within our Water Quality Lab. One position focuses primarily on microbiology with emphasis on microscopy and the other position focuses primarily on chemistry with an emphasis on organics.
Water Quality Specialist II — under general supervision these candidates will perform assigned microbiological and/or chemical analyses to support Denver Water’s compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and Colorado Regulation 84. Assists with the planning of compliance monitoring programs. Responsible for performing analysis by approved methods and the verification of analytical data. Assists in the statistical evaluation of analytical data. Assist in developing laboratory SOPs. Assist in developing water quality studies and evaluation of related data. Assists in water quality support assignments including record management, information retrieval, and field testing.
Water Quality Specialist III — under direction, performs professional level water quality studies which support Denver Water’s compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA) and Colorado Regulation 84. Assists with developing strategies for CWA permit compliance. Assists with developing programs for Denver Water’s water treatment plants and distribution system for compliance with SDWA. Plans and performs analyses of a complex nature which support Denver Water’s SDWA & CWA programs. Conducts professional level environmental studies on reservoirs, watersheds and wetlands. Assists with developing strategies for Denver Water’s reservoir and watershed management programs.
Water Quality Specialist II — the successful candidate will be able to perform the following duties:
- Performs chemical and/or microbiological analyses using approved methods, follows laboratory SOPs, uses proper laboratory techniques and appropriate instrumentation/equipment.
- Verifies analytical data, uses appropriate laboratory quality control/ quality assurance procedures.
- Performs required maintenance on laboratory instruments/equipment.
- Performs any required calculations and creates analytical reports.
- Performs all computer operations needed to control and acquire data from analytical instrumentation.
- Performs all computer operations to access data and generate reports from the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Assist with developing research and/or special projects.
- Performs all laboratory functions using appropriate laboratory safety practices and personal protective equipment.
- Assist WQ Investigators in responding to and solving water quality complaints from customers.
- Assist in developing analytical methods.
- Must perform field work as required.
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required.
Water Quality Specialist II — qualifications for appointment:
- Considerable knowledge of environmental chemistry and microbiological procedures and techniques.
- For the microbiological position must have microscopy experience
- For the chemistry position must have gas or liquid chromatography experience.
- Must be computer literate
- Ability to produce accurate and precise data.
- Ability to work efficiently and produce results on schedule.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with coworkers.
Education: Must have a Bachelor’s of Science or Arts from a four year accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, microbiology, biology, environmental science or a related field.
Experience: Two years of experience in an environmental laboratory performing analytical testing and evaluating related data. Experience developing analytical methods.
License, Certificate or Credentials: Must possess and maintain a valid Class ‘R’ Colorado driver’s license.
Other Requirements: Must work in an environment with exposure to chemical and biological hazards.
Water Quality Specialist III — the successful candidate will be able to perform the following duties:
- May exercise full supervision over assigned personnel.
- Oversees the development of analytical data for inclusion in Denver Water’s compliance assessments of water treatment plants, distribution system, permitted discharges, groundwater systems and construction activities.
- Assists with the development of programs which support Denver Water’s compliance with the SDWA, CWA, recycled water (Reg. 84), and groundwater regulations.
- Uses data management and quality assurance systems to evaluate data integrity, produce reports and interpret findings.
- Contributes to the design and implementation of special environmental studies on issues that impact water quality, for example lakes and reservoirs, wildfires, rural development, groundwater, and residuals disposal.
- Contributes to the design and implementation of special studies on impacts to public health; for example plant chemical contaminants, partial lead service line replacements, disinfection by-products, and microbial contamination.
- Contributes to the development of new analytical tools employed in special studies and regulatory compliance.
- Maintains Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment certification for assigned analyses.
- Assists with coordinating water quality programs with other Divisions and outside Public Agencies.
- Must perform field work as required.
- May participate in regulatory stakeholder process.
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required.
Water Quality Specialist III — qualifications for appointment:
- Thorough knowledge of environmental chemistry and/or microbiology.
- For microbiological position algal identifications, MPA, Giardia and Cryptosporidium identification experience preferred
- For chemistry position GC/MS or LC/MS experience preferred
- Extensive knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Knowledge of principles related to limnology, hydrology and groundwater systems.
- Knowledge of Denver Water’s water treatment and distribution systems.
- Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally.
- Ability to work effectively with employees, the public and other private and public sector organizations.
Education: Must have a Bachelors of Science from a four-year accredited college or university with a major in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, natural resources, water resources, or a related field.
Experience: Four years experience in environmental chemistry, microbiology, biology or related science. Three years at the Water Quality Specialist II level, or equivalent experience. Experience in developing training programs, working with the public, and developing monitoring programs.
License, Certificate or Credential: Must possess and maintain a valid Class ‘R’ Colorado driver’s license. Must maintain CDPHE Lab Certification for assigned analyses.
Denver Water offers excellent 
benefits that include a pension plan, a 401(k) plan with 3 percent match; a 457 deferred compensation plan; health and dental coverage; life insurance; and vacation/holiday/sick leave. All employment offers are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer physical, which includes drug and alcohol testing. A background check will be conducted to verify information submitted on application.
Recruiter: Alice Montez
- Applications are only accepted through our online application system.
- Denver Water will not accept or consider applications that are mailed, emailed, faxed, or dropped off at our office.
- No resumes will be accepted unless they are attached to an online application.
- Employment applications are accepted for current openings only.
