Drinking Water Compliance Officer

The Role

Responsible for the coordination and completion of the Region’s regulated drinking water monitoring program. Schedules and coordinates the sampling of well supply and distribution system locations in accordance with provincial drinking water legislation, the laboratory testing license, and quality management system. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Administers the drinking water monitoring program, including associated database and program records. Coordinates/schedules sampling of regional well supply and distribution sites per strict legislative requirements. Monitors compliance and adjusts the sampling program as required.   
• Liaises with clients (cities, townships, contractors, other internal departments) to intake new/ revised/urgent sampling requests. Triages and provides regulatory expertise to understand client requirements and confirm internal accreditation and licensing for sampling and analytical services. Creates and distributes report summaries to clients. Summarizes program related overtime for invoicing purposes. 
• Immediately reports adverse or abnormal drinking water chlorine residual results per strict protocols and legislative requirements. Coordinates resampling due to adverse, analytical issues or client requests. 
• Oversees and participates in the collection of operational and compliance water samples for bacteriological, inorganic, and organic parameters, per strict sampling protocols at private and public premises (e.g., regional well supply sites, businesses, public facilities, private homes, at active construction sites during new/temporary watermain commissioning). 
• Uses instruments and chemical test kits for on-site analyses and comments on results (e.g. pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorine and turbidity). Follows/ensures sample collection/handling and submissions meet quality system requirements. 
• Maintains detailed field notes. Enters analytical and field data into the Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS). Assists other staff with troubleshooting issues related to drinking water program technology (e.g., login issues). 
• Assesses the ongoing suitability of existing/proposed sampling locations and provides feedback to clients for necessary changes as required. 
• Develops continuous improvement recommendations for management and provides input into program related work instructions, policies, and procedures. 
• Initiates non-conformance reports for the drinking water program. Participates in the investigation of and implements corrective/preventive actions.  
• Participates in audits performed by external accreditation bodies and internal auditors. Analyzes performance evaluation samples as part of maintaining the Section’s quality system accreditation. 
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water quality and takes appropriate samples to identify problems. 
• Provides information for Ministry laboratory and drinking water license inspections as required.  
• Schedules and collects samples for research, studies, and pilot projects as requested.
• Has a p-card to purchase equipment, chemicals, reagents, and supplies. Maintains and inventories materials, equipment, and supplies. 
• Maintains vehicles and sampling/monitoring equipment in good working order to ensure they are safe and readily available for use. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills acquired through a 3-year diploma or degree in a related field (e.g., Environmental Science), plus 3 years of related experience.
• Knowledge of water chemistry, bacteriological and chemical sampling techniques, sample collection and preservation methods, water supply and distribution operations, and equipment operation (e.g., chlorine meters, other field analysis kits). 
• Must be certified as an Operator in Training, Water Quality Analyst, or be licensed as a Water Treatment Operator or Water Distribution Operator, as required by regulation. Must complete ongoing mandatory training to maintain certification. 
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with legislation, policies, procedures, and health and safety protocols, including drinking water standards and regulatory sampling and testing requirements.  
• Knowledge of quality control procedures associated with sampling, analytical parameter measurements, equipment operation, quality system audits, Standard Council of Canada, and ISO 17025. 
• Skill using, maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, and performing minor technical servicing of field equipment.  
• Knowledge of sample collection and field measurement techniques, sample quality control procedures, analytical parameter measurements, and equipment operation, and quality system requirements. 
• Organization, problem solving, and time management skills to work independently; assign, monitor, and coordinate others’ work to ensure compliance; meet inflexible deadlines and program requirements; adapt to scheduling and sudden priority changes; and resolve problems in the field. 
• Communication and human relations skills to facilitate discussions and resolve conflicts, exchange technical information with others, describe corrective actions, provide detailed explanations and advice regarding sampling and field analysis techniques, participate in meetings, gather information and explain findings and recommended solutions to staff, and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to create and maintain detailed correspondence, sampling summaries, field notes, overtime summaries, and procedures using specialized technical terminology. 
• Ability to interpret and apply scientific and technical information, legislation, reports, sampling and field analysis procedures, health and safety manuals, safety data sheets, and quality system documents. 
• Computer skills with ability to use program specific databases, a LIMS, Power BI, Microsoft Office, and GIS. 
• Must have a valid G driver’s license (or G2 and 3 years of driving experience) and acceptable driving record to operate corporate vehicles.
• Ability to flex/alter hours when urgent water sampling is required. 
• Participates in a stand-by rotation for weekend and after hours work for water related emergencies.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.