Job Information
City and County of San Francisco Water Quality Technician - Citywide (2481) - (U00033) in San Francisco, California
Department: SFPUC
Job Class: 2481-Water Quality Technician | City and County of San Francisco (https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/)
Salary Range: $83,720 to $117,754
Role Type: Permanent Civil Service
Hours: Full Time
Exam Type: Class Based Test
Rule: Rule of the List
List Type: Entrance
Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding the Exam Process, please contact the exam analyst, Ivy Hankins at IHankins@sfwater.org. For questions through 1/17/25, you can contact Eric Christensen at EChristensen@sfwater.org.
THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) (https://youtu.be/inc4CF4VKFE)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.
We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https: /www.sfpuc.org/.
We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.
To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site at https: /www.sfpuc.org/about- us/careers-sfpuc
Specific information regarding this recruitment process are listed below:
Application opening: January 10, 2025
Application Deadline: January 17, 2025
Apply immediately. Application filing will be open at least through January 17, 2025 and will close any time thereafter.
Under general supervision, performs field and laboratory technician duties to evaluate water and wastewater treatment plant operation, and to determine industrial discharge compliance with pretreatment and source control standards; conducts chemical and microbiological analyses, keeps detailed and accurate records and enters laboratory data into information management systems; conforms to laboratory safe practices.
The essential duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
Performs simple to increasingly skilled physical, chemical and microbiological laboratory analyses of drinking water, wastewater, and other environmental samples; prepares samples for inorganic and organic analysis.
Collects samples from reservoirs, transmission lines, industrial dischargers, sewer lines, water and wastewater treatment plants, wastewater collection systems, beaches, marine and estuarine water bodies and other sources as required using established techniques and procedures; performs field tests for pH, chlorine residual, temperature, dissolved sulfides, oxidants, dissolved oxygen; and other related tests; follows quality assurance protocols to ensure proper sample collection and identification prior to delivery to the laboratory.
Documents the collection of samples and flow data by following established protocols; submits clear and detailed daily field records and site sheets documenting all sampling and monitoring activities.
Conducts various physical, chemical, and biological analyses on samples of various sources.
Assists biologists and chemists conducting bacteriological analyses and whole effluent toxicity tests on water, wastewater, and seawater samples; assists chemists to complete sample analyses within client stipulated deadlines.
Conducts analyses in accordance with established Quality Assurance (QA) protocols, records accuracy and precision measurements, evaluates contamination through analyses of blanks, works with QA/QC section to improve technique; follows all laboratory safety practices, wears protective clothing and equipment.
Operates, calibrates, maintains, and properly documents the use of automated sampling equipment, gas detectors, continuous pH monitoring meters, flow meters; maintains maintenance and calibration records for a variety of field equipment; may operate chemical test instrumentation.
Receives samples, creates batches, and performs analyses according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other approved standard protocols; enters data generated for review.
Prepares reagents, sterilizes glassware, uses sterile technique to minimize contamination, sterilizes and disposes of laboratory waste, maintains an adequate inventory of laboratory supplies and materials; may clean, calibrate, and otherwise maintain delicate laboratory instruments.
Prepares reports, charts, and graphs as required.
Maintains laboratory and assigned work areas clean and organized, in ready-to-use status.
Performs related duties as needed or assigned.
Completion of high school or its equivalent AND eighteen (18) months (equivalent to 3,000 hours) verifiable experience in a water or wastewater utility performing laboratory and/or field technician duties as described in Note A and Note B, OR
Possession of an associate degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in biology, chemistry, microbiology, engineering or a related field OR
Participation in the 9916 Public Service Aide Training Program with twelve (12) months of laboratory experience performing laboratory and/or field technician duties as described in Note A or Note B.
Notes on Qualifying Experience:
A. Qualify laboratory experience must include conducting routine analyses such as turbidity, total suspended solids and pH; or assisting chemists or biologists conducting more advanced analyses such as bioassays..
B. Qualifying field experience must include collecting water samples; conducting analyses such as free and toal chlorine, free ammonia and nitrite; and completing sample documentation and chain of custody records.
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION
Possession of a valid California driver's license; certification as a Water Distribution Operator – D1 may be required for certain positions.
One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.) Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.
Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring:
Chemistry course work with laboratory
Ability to lift and/or carry 50 pounds
Other related science course work
Mathematics related skills
Computer and database related skills and experience
Strong reading skills
All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
Selection Procedures: After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:
Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (Weight: Qualifying): Candidates will be required to complete a Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.
Multiple Choice Exam 100% weight
Candidates who meet minimum qualifications will be invited via to the multiple -choice exam which will evaluate the experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in job-related areas, which have been identified as critical for this position and include, but are not limited to:
Knowledge of the basic principles of water and wastewater treatment
Knowledge of general organic and inorganic chemistry
Knowledge of field monitoring and laboratory procedures, including field and laboratory safety practices, ability to learn procedures for the analysis of samples and demonstrate good laboratory and field monitoring technique, and skill in handling, operating and maintaining laboratory and field monitoring materials and equipment
Ability to follow detailed oral and written instructions
Ability to read water meters
Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
Ability to learn proper traffic control and confined space entry safety practices
Ability to work independently
Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships, and interact with the general public
The multiple-choice exam is a standardized examination and, therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review. A passing score must be achieved on the Multiple -Choice Examination in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list.
Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.
The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions.
Verification: Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements
Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at http://sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=456.
Verification of required work experience typically must be on the employer’s letterhead, and must include the applicant’s name, job title, description of job duties, dates of employment, hours per week, and signature of the employer, supervisor, or appropriate representative.
Employees of the City and County of San Francisco may submit performance evaluations showing duties performed to verify qualifying City experience. City employees will receive credit for the duties of the class to which appointed. Credit for experience obtained outside of the employee's class will be allowed only if recorded in accordance with the provisions of Civil Service Commission Rules. CCSF employees will not receive credit for experience obtained outside of their classification unless recorded in accordance with the provisions of the Civil Service Rule 110.9.1/111A.11.2.
Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.
Verification of required valid licensure/certification typically must be a photocopy of the license/certificate including the name of the issuing agency as well as the name of the license/certificate holder, license/certificate number, and expiration date.
Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:
Information About The Hiring Process (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process)
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview (https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview)
Equal Employment Opportunity (https://sfdhr.org/equal-employment-opportunity)
Disaster Service Worker (https://sfdhr.org/disaster-service-workers)
ADA Accommodation
Right to Work (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#identification)
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement (https://sfdhr.org/information-about-hiring-process#diversitystatement)
Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of 12 months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/CityAndCountyOfSanFrancisco1/ .] The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4. Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement. Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at http://sfgov.org/civilservice/rules.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.
• Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).
Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.
Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the exam analyst, Ivy Hankins at ihankins@sfwater.org.
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.