Local recruitment: Water Quality Action Specialist (WQAS)

I. TITLE: Water Quality Action Specialist (WQAS)

FLSA status: Exempt

II. POSITION SUMMARY: Provides technical assistance to help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities identify and evaluate solutions to wastewater management challenges and improve decentralized wastewater systems.

Salary Range: $65,000-$75,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborate locally to support stakeholders to advance projects that improve community health, environmental quality, and access to water and wastewater funding while increasing the number of communities with knowledge and access to water and waste disposal loans and grants.
• Provide technical assistance that improves the management, operation, maintenance, and sustainability of decentralized wastewater systems.
• Ensure completion and compliance of the goals, objectives, and deliverables required by Texas’s sub-award of the NRWA USDA-RD Decentralized Wastewater Program, including completion of all required reports and requested documents accurately and on time.
• Facilitate and mediate local stakeholders’ planning meetings between various cross-jurisdictional entities.
• Provide presentations and technical assistance to local officials, community groups, consumers, and others, including response to inquiries.

IV. OTHER ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Act as a liaison to create better coordination, communication, and collaboration between rural and small communities and local, county, state, and federal agencies.
• Maintain thorough knowledge of all state and federal regulations as they apply to wastewater systems, including decentralized systems.
• Develop informational articles for dissemination.
• Actively promote TRWA membership.
• Attend NRWA in-service training sessions.
• Maintain a valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. Responsible for maintaining the TRWA vehicle to ensure it is properly maintained and in reliable condition.
• In addition, perform any other duties as assigned by the Technical Services Director or the Executive Director to promote the strategic goals of the Association.

V. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to travel up to 75% including some evenings and overnight stays. Includes driving and/or flying to out-of-state events as well.
• Work environment may include inclement weather, small meeting areas, and near or with hazardous chemicals related to wastewater treatment.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds.

VI. PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in managing, operating, or maintaining a small wastewater system.
• Knowledge of the financial, managerial and technical aspects of a small wastewater system.
• Bachelor’s or associate degree in environmental sciences or business management. Relevant experience in a related field may be substituted for direct wastewater system experience.
• State of Texas Class C (or higher certification) in wastewater classified by TCEQ.

VII. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Maintain thorough knowledge of state regulatory requirements and rules that apply to public wastewater systems, decentralized systems, wastewater treatment, and collection systems.
• Demonstrate effective and professional communication, in person, by phone, in writing, or electronically, with staff, utility boards, and community stakeholders.
• Skilled in composing, analyzing and communicating technical reports to support community wastewater systems.
• Demonstrated ability to provide independent guidance to utilities on business operations.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines efficiently.
• Proficient in MS Word, MS Excel, and MS Outlook.

VIII. ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to Technical Assistance Director and Assistant TA Director
• Supervises (if any): None
• Peer collaboration/communicates with (internal, external):
  • Internal: Coordinates activities with other Technical Assistance Department staff in support of federal contract. Works cooperatively with other Association staff as directed by the Technical Assistance Director or the Assistant TA Director.
  • External: Frequent contact with local community leaders and utility staff.