Environmental Technician

Description

The Environmental Technician is the first level in a six-level Water Quality Environmental Specialist series. The Environmental Technician is an entry-level position focused on training to become an Environmental Specialist and assisting experienced Water Quality personnel. The Environmental Technician is distinguished from the Environmental Specialist, which assumes a greater accountability in field sampling events and is involved in higher priority field monitoring activities as well as some water quality monitoring program management. Incumbents are responsible for assisting in the collection of a wide variety of water quality samples utilizing routine to sophisticated sampling techniques, water level measurements, and data collection activities. The Environmental Technician will be trained in sampling protocol and procedures, monitoring programs, equipment usage, proper documentation, and other requirements of the Environmental Specialist position. Upon satisfactory completion of training in all necessary aspects of the Environmental Specialist position, an Environmental Technician may become eligible for promotion to the Environmental Specialist position.

Examples of Duties

The following essential job functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed job functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different job functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assists in conducting a variety of surface and groundwater sampling, which may include virus, coliphage, and protozoa sampling; sampling using a submersible pump and ancillary equipment; Title 22 regulatory compliance drinking water sampling for inorganic, organic, radioactive, and synthetic organic chemicals; multi-point monitoring well sampling; surface water sampling; stable isotope sampling; microscopic particulate analysis sampling; and other related sampling. Sampling may involve determining where and how to conduct sampling; how to handle samples; determining appropriate equipment to use; determining if data values are reasonable; safely transporting samples; determining appropriate type and quantity of containers to put samples in; determining if preservation is required; ensuring conditions are proper for sampling; taking field measurements and documenting site/weather conditions; and performing other related activities.
• Assists in maintaining and repairing equipment, which may include calibrating equipment; fixing minor problems with pumps, generators, vehicles, and other related equipment; coordinating the servicing of equipment; ensuring instruments are in proper working order; troubleshooting and/or overhauling equipment; recommending equipment replacement; designs specialized sampling equipment, groundwater mobile treatment systems, and protocols; and performing other related activities.
• Prepares and/or verifies chain of custodies; ensures samples are turned in and documented for in-house and outside laboratories.
• Delivers and picks up samples at contract laboratories; coordinates with personnel at contract labs to ensure appropriate sample containers are available; and ensures appropriate analytical method is used for sample processing and analysis.
• Monitors and maintains inventory.
• Measures depth to water (water levels) at numerous well sites throughout the County; determines the validity of measurements.
• Assists in field investigative response activities to environmental water quality emergencies, unauthorized watershed discharges or releases resulting in degraded water quality in the river, recharge basins, Prado basin, and groundwater basins. 
• Safely implements proper traffic control procedures including setting up traffic control diversions, signage, and temporary traffic control lane closures. 
• Handles job stress.
• Interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
• Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.

Typical Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Basic groundwater hydrology principles.
• Inorganic and organic chemistry; water chemistry principles.
• General microbiological water chemistry.
• General biology principles.
• Mathematical and algebraic concepts.
• Environmental and data management concepts.
• Basic hydraulic principles.
• General mechanical principles.
• State and federal drinking water regulations desirable.
• Water and field sampling collection and documentation protocols desirable.
• Basic traffic control and establishing safe work zones desirable.

Ability and Skills in:

• Reading and interpreting maps, charts, and flow diagrams.
• Strong attention to details.
• Safely driving and operating various sized vehicles, including manual transmission, and towing heavy equipment and/or a boat.
• Maintaining, calibrating, and using water quality field equipment preferred.
• Preparing and maintaining thorough documentation.
• Operating pumps, generators, and special monitoring equipment preferred.
• Mechanically inclined and familiar with use of small hand and shop tools.
• Using computers and related software applications (i.e., Microsoft applications).
• Measuring and recording depth to water (water levels) desirable.
• Some applicable field experience including strong observation skills.
• Understanding the scientific method.
• Good team player.
• Good organization and time management skills.
• Good critical thinking/analytical skills to define problem, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Communicating and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Collect water quality samples using approved protocols and methodologies preferred.
• Basic traffic control procedures preferred.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree in a related science field preferred. Westbay Certification must be obtained within 1-2 year’s employment during the positions training period.

Experience: One year of related environmental or applicable field experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

License: Valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Physical: Positions in this class typically require balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Medium Work: Lifting up to 75 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 60 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10-30 pounds constantly. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, odors (including ability to describe odors), dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, intense noises, and travel. Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information. 

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; vision to distinguish colors and describe; and to operate assigned equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Working Environment: Positions in this class are required to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions. Incumbents will be required to work in and around water on a regular basis.  

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All Orange County Water District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Supplemental Information

SCHEDULE:

7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. 9/80 schedule or C Regular (Mon-Friday) schedule.

Candidates given an offer of employment will be required to pass a medical examination and background check. You must submit an OCWD online employment application to be considered. Please visit www.ocwd.com to complete an application. Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number apply. EOE