Program Manager, Water Quality

DIVISION: Operations

DEPARTMENT: Water Quality Assurance

UNION/GRADE: Unit 9/Grade 29

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BASIC PURPOSE:

Oversees the assessment of drinking water quality, conducts sampling and analyses for Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) compliance. Supports investigations on the causes and effects of distribution system water quality deterioration including coliform regrowth, chlorine residual decay, nitrification, customer complaints, discolored water, algae and cyanobacterial related issues, and other water quality concerns.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of the Senior Program Manager, Water Quality Assurance.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Exercises direct supervision of the Laboratory Supervisor and other professional staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and participates in the monitoring of daily and weekly source and distribution water quality trends to identify potential SDWA compliance deficiencies and recommends corrective action(s) as required.
• Participates in the preparation and review of routine water quality reports or other communication to communities, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and others as required. Acts as primary and/or secondary signatory for routine reporting to DEP.
• Coordinates Operations response to source and treated water quality incidents.
• Establishes and oversees a trigger planning system to diagnose and respond to water quality problems.
• Participates in the investigation of distribution system water quality deterioration including, but not limited to, coliform or E. coli detection and regrowth, chlorine residual decay and nitrification, algae, cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria, and discolored water. Recommends corrective action(s) and coordinates actions with community water departments as required.
• Responds to water quality complaints, including coordination of MWRA sampling and reporting data, as necessary.
• Keeps up-to-date with American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Research Foundation and SDWA drinking water quality research and advises management of key findings that could affect capital or operating programs.
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures or training as needed for MWRA and community field sampling staff.
• Manages and oversees sampling staff and overall sampling program. Recommends changes to improve efficiency and reliability. Ensures sampling is completed and meets all federal and state Drinking Water Regulatory requirements.
• Develops programs for algae monitoring and response, cyanotoxins, and emergency reservoir water quality sampling.
• Acts as On-Call Manager for Environmental Quality, Water.

SECONDARY DUTIES:

• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor's degree in sanitary engineering, microbiology, chemistry or related field is required; graduate degree is preferred; and
• Comprehensive understanding of drinking water quality issues as acquired through at least seven (7) years of experience in water quality related work
• of which three (3) years must be in a supervisory capacity; or
• Any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Solid knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite and ability to use video-conferencing applications such as WebEx.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations, laws; and procedures connected to drinking water and water quality.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, written and oral communication skills including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Advanced negotiation skills and ability to maintain strong working relationships with internal and external parties.
• Ability to analyze and interpret scientific data.
• Demonstrated ability to gather, analyze and present technical information in a clear and understandable manner

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License.
• A Massachusetts Grade II Water Treatment license (Operator in Training) or able to obtain within 12 months.
• Required to be part of an on-call rotation for emergencies with other Water Quality staff twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Power and hand tools. In addition, office machines normally associated with a professional office environment including the use of telephones, personal computers, word processing and other software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally is required to site, stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste or smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places ad is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in office settings.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.