Water Technician

Water Quality Technician 

Job Description:  

Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District (SVID) is seeking a full-time Water Quality  Technician. The individual in this non-union position will be required to conduct routine  water quality sampling and field data collection at district waterway facilities, and analytical testing of those samples on the same day or week. Analytical testing of water  samples will be performed on-site in a state-of-the-art accredited laboratory. The samples  being collected and processed involve untreated surface and/or subsurface water for  irrigation beneficial uses and agricultural return flow. This role will also be responsible for  operating and maintaining the accredited laboratory and complying with quality assurance  (QA) and quality control (QC) requirements. The Water Quality Technician is expected to  work collaboratively with and report directly to the Water Quality Supervisor. The Water  Quality Department is responsible for monitoring the long-term variation in water quality  characteristics of surface and/or subsurface water throughout the Roza-Sunnyside Board  of Joint Control (RSBOJC) conveyance and drainage project waterways. This position  offers a balanced mix of fieldwork (60%) and laboratory/office-based (40%) tasks,  providing valuable and comprehensive experience. 

Key Responsibilities:

As the Water Quality Technician, your primary responsibilities will be: conducting water  quality sampling and data collection in the field, operating and maintaining laboratory  equipment for analytical testing of water samples, updating and maintaining QA and QC documentation, data processing and analysis with assistance at times from the Water  Quality Supervisor, and aiding with the coordination to provide water quality sampling and  data to other district departments, district landowners, or outside local, state, and/or federal  agencies. Some specific job tasks include:  

• Collect water samples from various locations within the RSBOJC conveyance and  drainage project waterways. RSBOJC facilities include the Sunnyside Canal, Roza  Canal, and any jointly operated and maintained joint drains and wasteways. At times  sampling may be performed in the SVID drains. 
• Contribute to water quality monitoring and data collection plans to support the Water  Quality Department and RSBOJC entity in meeting state and federal regulatory  compliance requirements, conducting source water tracing assessments, and fulfilling  investigative needs.
• Perform field and laboratory equipment calibration and maintenance tasks; manage  department inventory and supplies; data entry, validation, and reporting; and  coordinate ordering and shipping with outside laboratories, vendors, and other district  departments.  
• Generate and/or update standard operating procedures (SOPs) to meet and maintain  a rigorous QA and QC program for the RSBOJC accredited laboratory. 

Qualifications:  

To be successful in this position, SVID is seeking candidates that are motivated to  conduct field sampling and perform laboratory operation and maintenance (O&M) on a  routine basis and will adhere to sampling schedules and analytical testing procedures.  This role entails working outdoors in diverse weather conditions and within a  professional laboratory/office setting. Both independent and collaborative teamwork  capabilities are highly valued. 

Desirable qualifications include: time management, ability to multi-task, willingness to  learn and adapt to different work assignments, some familiarity or knowledge with  Microsoft Office programs (Access, Excel, Word, and Power Point), good field  observational skills, strong communication skills, and being detail oriented. 

Acceptable Experience and Training:  

A minimum of an AA degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, geology, natural resources, or other scientific field of study is desired but not required, and two years  of related experience working out in the field or laboratory. 

OR 

A minimum of a High School Diploma or GED is required, and an equivalent combination  of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the  job such as those listed above. 

Certifications/Licenses:  

• Valid Washington State Department of Licensing (WSDOL) issued Driver’s  License  
• Valid Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) issued Public Operator  Pesticide License or must obtain one upon employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Starting wage ranges from $28.00 to $29.50 per hour or $58,240 to $61,360 per year. 
• Medical and Prescription Drug coverage becomes effective on the first day of the  second month following eligibility. 
• Dental and Vision coverage becomes effective on the first day of the second month following six consecutive months of eligibility.  
• Retirement is offered through the Washington State Department of Retirement  Services (DRS) under the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or  3. These retirement saving programs offer defined benefit (pension), defined  contribution, and voluntary Deferred Compensation (DCP) plans. 
• Paid holidays include New Years, MLK, Presidents, Memorial, Independence,  Labor, Veterans, Thanksgiving and the day after, Christmas Eve, and Christmas. 
• Paid time off including Sick Leave (S/L) and Annual Leave (A/L) begin accruing on employment start date. 

Interested candidates should submit an SVID application, resume, and letter of interest via  the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District’s website or email to chapinf@svid.org attention  Forrest Chapin, Water Quality Supervisor. Position will be open until filled. www.svid.org. 

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