Watershed Programs Technician

# SUMMARY: Assist in the daily functions of the Columbus Water Works (CWW) Watershed Protection Programs. This encompasses all regulatory compliance programs in relationship to the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act, as amended. These include, but not limited to, CWW’s Watershed Program, Source Water Protection Program and TMDL Programs for the Columbus Water Works. These include site inspections, meetings, monitoring, correspondences, and regulatory planning for these programs.

# ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

- The employee is responsible for assisting the Watershed Programs Specialist in the oversight and maintenance of CWW’s current Watershed Protection Program, and any amendments, and all required reporting for compliance with that program. The employee helps meet all scheduled activities of the programs so that the specific goals and targets of the programs are achieved. This will include data acquisition, reporting, presentations, and modeling.

- The employee is responsible for assisting in the oversight and maintenance of CWW’s Source Water Protection Program and all required reporting for compliance with that program. The employee must assist in meeting all scheduled activities of the programs so that the specific goals and targets of the programs are achieved. This will include data acquisition, reporting, presentations, and modeling. The employee will assist in maintaining CWW’s real-time monitoring program and deployed data collection devices.

- Attends meetings with the Assistant Manager of Environmental Services Watershed and Quality Assurance, Watershed Program Specialist and Manager of Environmental Services to review program progress.

- The employee shall also support the CWW Creek Walkers Program. This program as managed by the Assistant Manager of Environmental Services Watershed and Quality Assurance is designed to reduce CWW’s impact on the creeks and streams in Muscogee County from the sanitary sewer system. Job duties include sampling and inspection of the sewer conveyance system and all creeks within Muscogee County.

- The employee will work closely with the Department Managers in preparation for renewal or re-issuance of all CWW’s permits. These include, but are not limited to, the NCWRF water withdrawal permit, the SCWRF NPDES permit and CWW’s CSO NPDES Permits.

- The employee shall also be required to perform other duties as assigned by the Department Manager and Assistant Manager of Environmental Services Watershed and Quality Assurance for and during the normal course of business.

- Employee will be required to perform emergency on-call duties as needed.

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

- Assist with the current Watershed Protection Program, and any amendments which will include sampling, data analysis, reporting, presentations, and modeling.

- Assist with the Source Water Protection Program which includes resource acquisition, planning, program development data analysis, reporting, presentations, and modeling.

- Routinely collects and/or oversees stream sample collection for chemical analysis.

- Assist with the River Runs for both Georgia EPD sites and Eufaula sites.

- Supports in the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Biological Assessments and fish assessments.

- Assists with habitat assessment and records field observations during stream sampling.

- Helps enter laboratory data into database (e.g., habitat, macroinvertebrate and chemical analysis of stream samples).

- Aids in conducting the Fecal/E. Coli Monitoring Program.

- Assists in investigating customer inquiries regarding water quality issues within the watershed.

- Assists Environmental Regulatory Compliance staff with water quality issues and SSO investigations.

- Helps prepare reports based on the data analyses for submission to Mgr. of Env. Services and other management staff.

- Maintains current knowledge of trends for environmental and regulatory development for the lab and Watershed Protection.

- Develops and maintains working relationships with surrounding utilities and environmental groups such as the Chattahoochee River Conservancy.

- Assist as liaison with schools, Oxbow Meadows ELC, and other environmental groups. Provides talks and presentations on water quality, and other environmental issues for CWW.

- Assist with the upkeep of the boat, vehicles and equipment for all Watershed programs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

# REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY

Experience must include, but not limited to, municipal and/or industrial environmental field, capabilities to read and interpret blueprints and architectural drawings, with knowledge of hydraulics and piping systems preferred. Must be able to communicate verbally in a clear, concise manner and has the ability to prepare written reports. Must be able to effectively use a personal computer and various programs. No physical limitations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma/GED required; Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Environmental Sciences/Environmental Engineering or chemistry preferred. 3-5 years experience required. As an alternative, experience can be considered. Certification in Collection Systems preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common and complex scientific and technical documents such as procedure manuals, operating and maintenance instructions, financial reports, and legal documents; ability to write detailed reports and correspondence; must have outstanding communication skills and the ability to describe complex technical concepts; ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, with managers, employees, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical interference, and fundamentals on plane and solid geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations as well as theoretical.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define problem, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables; ability to make recommendations for the solution of practical problems based on facts.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

Must possess a valid drivers' license and good driving record; Water and/or Wastewater Analyst certification within one year of employment. Obtain within 2 years of employment a Certified Stormwater Inspector – Municipal (MS4) certificate and become Level IA (Blue Card) certified with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to operate general office equipment, to include copy machine, fax machine, typewriter, calculator, and computer. Working experience and knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft Word, and database systems. Ability to establish and manage multiple projects and set priorities. Good knowledge of general office operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to walk in creeks and along unstable and uneven environments. Must have the ability to open manholes.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or equipment, stoop, kneel, crouch; talk and hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and be able to move object of up to 50-80 pounds; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment and in the field.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: 26-37

PAY GRADE: 11