Water Quality Specialist

Working Schedule

• Water Quality Specialists work full-time jobs with nights, weekends, and holidays off. However, overtime or odd hours may be needed during emergencies. Travel for fieldwork and site visits is often needed and exposure to inclement weather or conditions may be necessary. 

Typical Duties

• Conduct fieldwork and site visits to take soil/water extract samples, monitor situations, look for hazards, and conduct inspections to ensure compliance 
• Analyze wetland, floodplain, and shoreland maps; use GPS, maps, and photos to determine locations during fieldwork
• Collect data from water site sensors; compile data using software and analyze results
• Prep samples for cation and anion testing, as needed
• Understand water and pollutant properties and effects on ecosystems
• Look for signs of pollutants and environmental changes that impact bodies of water (such as how floods affect lakes, fish, and wildlife)
• Manage Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination programs
• Collaborate with appropriate governmental agencies when discovering and reporting pollution activities
• Assess construction projects for environmental impacts on water and wildlife habitats
• Monitor, inspect, and help with water delivery controls, water system connections, meters, potable water distribution systems, production wells, mains, lines, etc. 
• Maintain pond filtration systems

Additional Responsibilities

• Stay up-to-date on water-related regulations, standards, and challenges 
• Submit logs, records, and technical reports to local, state, or federal agencies 
• Oversee contractors working on water-related projects
• Help with public education and awareness programs
• Calibrate equipment, track samples, enter data, and coordinate with labs
• Keep track of invoices
• Respond to public queries and complaints. Investigate complaints, as directed

Soft Skills

• Activities Coordination 
• Analytical 
• Attention to detail
• Critical thinking
• Decisive
• Detail-oriented
• Independent
• Interpersonal skills
• Monitoring 
• Objective
• Organized
• Perceptive 
• Problem-solving
• Safety-oriented
• Stamina
• Strong communication skills

Technical Skills

• Data entry, analysis, and interpretation skills 
• Environmental monitoring
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal water quality regulations
• Geographic Information System (GIS) programs
• Hydrology principles and concepts
• Knowledge of water quality monitoring instruments (pH meters, dissolved oxygen meters, turbidity sensors, spectrophotometers, etc.)
• Knowledge of water sampling and analysis equipment/software
• Microbiology
• Personal protective equipment use
• Project management
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Safety protocols working around pollutants, bacteria, and chemicals 
• Water quality modeling
• Water treatment technologies

• Local, state, and federal governmental agencies
• Educational institutions
• Private consulting service providers

Water Quality Specialists get out in the field to conduct assessments and gather samples, so expect regular travel and exposure to the elements. Communities rely heavily on the accuracy and diligence of these workers to ensure water is safe for consumption by residents or for various other purposes. Of course, fish and wildlife creatures depend on clean water to survive, too!

Facing major challenges such as corporate pollution and climate change, Water Quality Specialists must stay devoted to identifying and overcoming problems before they become too serious to handle. It’s a lot of responsibility to manage at times! 

In addition, workers in this field may be exposed to various contaminants, including pollutants, bacteria, and chemicals. While personal protective equipment mitigates most exposure, the hazards are still present so specialists have to work carefully and follow strict procedures.

Water Quality Specialists have their hands full because of the issues impacting water quality. For instance, numerous emerging contaminants such as chemicals and other substances are being detected in water, but there aren’t sufficient studies to regulate them or determine if they’re harmful to human health or the environment. 

Scientists are working to advance wastewater treatment technologies to boost available water supplies, while the Internet of Things is helping with the development of smart water quality monitoring systems. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge are contributing to oxygen depletion in water bodies, harming fragile aquatic ecosystems. Meanwhile, climate issues such as rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are driving concerns because of their effects on water bodies.

Water Quality Specialists probably enjoyed being outdoors, going fishing, or swimming in natural bodies of water. They care about the environment and public health and could have seen their own communities affected by pollution. They’re also analytical and may have been good in STEM subjects from an early age!