Water Quality Specialist

Title: Water Quality Specialist

Location: Bellingham United States

Job Description:

Looking for a career where science meets public service? Join our team to help protect and improve the quality of our community's drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems through hands-on environmental monitoring, data analysis, and laboratory expertise.

The Water Quality Specialist evaluates water quality and plant process data; develops and implements laboratory and field projects; evaluates and audits laboratory practices; and prepares scientific and technical reports, including reports for local, state and federal compliance. This position assumes the duties of quality control for the City's accredited laboratories. Utilizes computer databases, hydrologic modeling software, and manages datasets. Performs laboratory work, conducts statistical analysis, performs fieldwork for regulatory and environmental monitoring programs and responds to citizen inquiries and complaints regarding water, stormwater, and wastewater. Position must work with a high degree of accuracy since error or negligence may compromise the City's water and wastewater treatment systems, its ability to meet regulatory obligations, as well as have an impact on its water, wastewater and storm water capital improvement programs.

The current full salary range for this position is $7,954/month - $9,638/month. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

The City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

At the City of Bellingham, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that helps you thrive in both your career and personal life. Join our team and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones are well cared for. Here's a closer look at the outstanding benefits that come with being part of our team. You can find more details on our employment benefits page and labor agreements page.

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours of sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

 Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

Closing Date/Time: Mon. 06/08/26 8:30 AM Pacific 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Researches, develops, implements, monitors and evaluates laboratory and field-testing methods for storm and surface water environmental monitoring programs. Plans, coordinates, and conducts technical activities as assigned, such as analysis of water resources and operational data related to municipal drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater plant operation. Conducts statistical analysis and interprets as needed, including evaluating data trends.

2. Prepares work products, such as reports and technical reviews, for regulatory programs, as assigned, to comply with state and federal monitoring requirements for drinking water, stormwater and wastewater. Coordinates with other departments, contractors, and utility customers, to meet project needs. Writes reports resulting from special project work.

3. Coordinates and monitors laboratory quality assurance, including routine review of all laboratory tests performed, review of quality control data to determine acceptability and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements, and internal laboratory audits to assist with maintaining state laboratory accreditation.

4. Interprets, and communicates standard operating procedures to laboratory and operations staff, adapting to City Operations as necessary. Provides technical assistance with air and water quality instrumentation and the implementation of work procedures into daily tasks. This may include sampling, analysis, calibration, and actions needed to ensure data quality.

5. Manages database records, including review of electronic records for quality and completeness, and correcting errors in electronic data used for compliance reporting. Synthesizes large and complex datasets. Investigates and identifies root causes of issues and implements or coordinates resolutions.

6. Conducts field monitoring and laboratory analysis for utility programs relating to drinking water, wastewater and surface water. Operates and maintains a variety of laboratory equipment and instrumentation; performs a variety of physical, chemical and biological analyses on wastewater, drinking water and surface water samples.

7. Performs duties in specialized technical areas, such as special monitoring programs for secondary wastewater treatment, storm water and drinking water as assigned. Collects wastewater, drinking water and surface water samples for laboratory testing from identified sites. Provides technical input on projects that may influence water quality.

8. Responds to citizen inquiries and concerns related to drinking water. Handles complaints on specific water quality problems such as taste, odors, etc., and contacts customers regarding test results. Responds to data requests utilizing automated report writing software to organize data to parse, compare, tabulate, and summarize data points. Participates in public information programs to educate customers.

9. Conducts laboratory risk communication, hazardous material management and chemical inventory.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Assists Technical Supervisor in training laboratory employees and has delegated oversight of their assignments and work product.

2. Performs other related work of a similar nature or level.

Physically perform the essential functions of the position, including:

• Visual acuity to differentiate color and computer screens;
• Fine finger dexterity to manipulate laboratory equipment and computer keyboard;
• Adequate hearing for telephone and radio communications;
• Ability to stand for long periods of time;
• Ability to traverse rough terrain on a regular basis;
• Frequent lifting up to 25 lbs.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed mostly in an office and laboratory environment in an industrial plant. May require working outdoors in all weather conditions and on irregular terrain. The treatment plants are high risk environments which require special safety precautions, i.e. working near heavy operating equipment, toxic or volatile chemicals, noxious gases, and with exposure to raw sewage. Employees may be required to wear protective clothing such as coveralls, rain gear, masks, boots, goggles, gloves, orshields and use respirator and self-contained breathing apparatus when appropriate.

• Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry, environmental science, natural resource management or related discipline.
• Minimum of two years related laboratory or field experience required.
• Experience working with external agencies and citizens preferred.
• A combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.
• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions and local background check (See Fair Hiring Practices).
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire. 

You are encouraged to print a copy of this job announcement for your reference as the process moves along

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and supplemental questions). Application materials should comprehensively document your experience and skills related to the position responsibilities and experience/training requirements. As part of the City's commitment to reducing bias in the hiring process, Human Resources redacts personally identifiable information for reviewers. Only the documents listed as required will be reviewed.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for June 29, 2026. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around June 22, 2026.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:

The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment. 
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made. 
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied. 
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.