Job Title: Water Quality Control Engineer
Job Summary:
The Mid-Level Water Quality Control Engineer is responsible for ensuring that water treatment processes meet the required water quality standards by overseeing the testing, analysis, and monitoring of water quality parameters. This role involves managing and optimizing water quality control systems, analyzing data, ensuring regulatory compliance, troubleshooting issues, and supporting improvements in water treatment processes. The engineer will collaborate with senior engineers, operators, and other teams to maintain high standards of water quality in compliance with environmental regulations and operational requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Water Quality Monitoring and Testing:
- Oversee the collection and testing of water samples from various points in the water treatment process, including raw water intake, filtration, disinfection, and distribution.
- Perform detailed analysis of water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, chlorine, hardness, microbial contamination (e.g., E. coli), and other chemical and biological factors.
- Ensure water quality monitoring systems are functioning correctly and troubleshoot any issues with instrumentation or testing procedures.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure all water quality testing meets local, state, and federal regulations, including compliance with health standards for potable water (e.g., EPA, WHO).
- Prepare regular compliance reports summarizing water quality test results and any corrective actions taken. Ensure documentation meets all regulatory requirements for audits.
- Assist in regulatory inspections and audits, ensuring all records are up-to-date and in line with industry standards.
Data Management and Analysis:
- Manage data from water quality monitoring systems and analyze it to identify trends, anomalies, or areas requiring corrective action.
- Utilize data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) to track water quality trends, and present findings and recommendations to senior management and regulatory bodies.
- Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the performance of water quality systems and help optimize processes.
Troubleshooting and Process Optimization:
- Lead troubleshooting efforts to identify the root cause of water quality issues, including problems with instrumentation, filtration, disinfection, or chemical dosing systems.
- Collaborate with operators and maintenance teams to resolve operational issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented in a timely manner.
- Work with senior engineers to optimize water treatment processes, improve operational efficiency, and reduce chemical usage.
Laboratory and Instrumentation Management:
- Oversee laboratory activities, ensuring that water quality tests are performed accurately and safely.
- Ensure laboratory and field instruments (e.g., pH meters, turbidity sensors, chlorine analyzers) are properly calibrated and maintained.
- Support the installation and commissioning of new water quality instrumentation, ensuring it meets system specifications and regulatory standards.
Training and Development:
- Provide training and guidance to junior engineers and technicians in water quality control systems, testing protocols, and troubleshooting techniques.
- Mentor team members to develop their technical skills and ensure they are up-to-date with the latest water quality testing technologies and regulations.
- Assist in the development of training materials and documentation for water quality testing and process control.
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support:
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including operations, engineering, and maintenance, to ensure that water quality monitoring systems are fully integrated with other plant systems.
- Collaborate with environmental compliance teams to ensure water quality parameters meet local environmental regulations and safety standards.
- Communicate effectively with senior management to ensure that water quality issues are addressed promptly and that operational goals are met.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives by recommending and implementing process improvements based on water quality analysis and operational feedback.
- Stay updated on emerging water treatment technologies, industry best practices, and regulatory changes to ensure the plant remains compliant and efficient.
- Advocate for the adoption of new tools, technologies, or processes that can enhance water quality monitoring, reduce operational costs, or improve system performance.
Key Focus Areas:
- Water Quality Monitoring and Testing: Oversee and ensure accurate water quality testing and monitoring across multiple stages of the water treatment process.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory standards for water quality, and manage reporting and audits for water treatment operations.
- Process Optimization: Optimize water treatment processes based on data analysis, troubleshooting efforts, and feedback from operations.
- Troubleshooting and Issue Resolution: Lead troubleshooting initiatives to ensure reliable water quality control and minimize system failures.
- Team Leadership and Training: Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians to ensure high standards of performance and safety.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Strong knowledge of water quality parameters (e.g., pH, chlorine, turbidity, microbial content) and their significance in water treatment processes.
- Proficiency with water quality testing instruments, laboratory equipment, and field instrumentation (e.g., turbidity meters, pH meters, chlorine analyzers).
- Experience with data analysis and performance monitoring tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, SQL).
- Familiarity with regulatory standards for drinking water quality and wastewater treatment (e.g., EPA, WHO).
- Strong troubleshooting skills for diagnosing and resolving issues with water treatment processes, instrumentation, and control systems.
- Knowledge of water treatment processes, including filtration, disinfection, chemical dosing, and the role of instrumentation in maintaining water quality.
- Good communication skills to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and present data analysis and recommendations to management.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Certifications in water quality testing, environmental management, or water treatment technologies are a plus.
Experience:
- 3-5 years of experience in water quality control, water treatment, or related fields, with hands-on experience in monitoring, testing, and optimizing water quality systems.
- Experience in laboratory testing, water quality analysis, and managing regulatory compliance in water treatment plants.
- Familiarity with SCADA systems and PLCs for integration with water quality control and monitoring systems is advantageous.
Tools and Technologies:
- Proficiency in water quality testing instruments and laboratory equipment.
- Experience with SCADA systems, PLCs, and process control technologies.
- Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Excel, SQL).
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to guide and develop junior engineers and technicians.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team, managing multiple tasks and priorities.
- Willingness to work in both field and laboratory environments, with the flexibility to respond to operational needs and emergencies.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and staying current with new technologies and best practices in water quality control and treatment.