Quality Assurance/Control Specialist

About the role

Illinois American Water is seeking a Quality Assurance/Control Specialist professional to join our team in Woodridge, IL. This position is a union position with starting pay at $36.58 an hour. Annual incentive pay and contracted increases are possible based on the collective bargaining agreement, and there is potential for continued salary growth.

American Water offers a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs, and much more!

Responsibilities

• Maintain IDPH laboratory certification by thoroughly reading, understanding, and adhering to 77 IL Administrative Code Part 465
• Prepare laboratory ahead of the biannual IDPH audit including all logs and required information
• Prepare information for the annual laboratory quality assurance reports
• Ability to read and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and develop SOPs as needed
• Bacteriological and various chemical analysis, assessment, and reporting
• Provide technical expertise to assist in ensuring that correct interpretations are made and that there are no Notice of Violations (NOVs)
• Basic data entry skills in entering laboratory data into Microsoft Office 360
• Wastewater analysis of samples for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), ammonia nitrogen (NH3), fecal coliform, total phosphorus, and data reporting to various agencies and entities
• Coordination and collection of bioassay samples, effluent metals analysis and sludge management and analysis as required under the 503 Sludge Regulations
• Proper laboratory disposal methods such as operating the autoclave or preparing for lab packs
• Assist Water Quality in duties needed to direct and carry out the management of operations of process facilities to meet all Water Quality, and Clean Water Act Requirements as per National Pollutant Discharge permits
• Perform chemical, bacteriological, and radiological sampling – independently following Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) web-schedules and Belleville Lab schedules, ensuring that there are no NOVs
• Order and maintain inventory of bacteriological and chemical laboratory materials – adhering to the approved budget and approved vendors
• Accurate preparation of information for IEPA monthly reports within the necessary time frame, and providing technical assistance
• Resolve customer complaints in a timely manner with an emphasis on troubleshooting customer complaints to the root cause, to increase customer satisfaction ratings
• As needed, Assist quality control of new main construction – ensuring that contractors adhere to proper installation protocols, coaching contractors when necessary, along with bacteriological sampling, analysis, assessment, and reporting
• Handle boil orders following IEPA requirements for reporting to regulatory agencies in a timely manner, update H2O online database, and communication of boil order status to State and County agencies
• Assist plant operators with testing problems – including troubleshooting and calibrations
• Work with laboratory couriers to ensure samples are collected and received into the laboratory on a timely basis
• Any other duties and special projects assigned by management
• Assist WQ Sr Supervisor in the Lead and Copper sampling program

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science or related science field
• 0-2 years in the water/wastewater industry and/or laboratory experience

Skills

• Strong chemistry and biology skills, mathematical aptitude (including algebra), ability to keep thorough and accurate records, and excellent computer skills are necessary in this position
• An analytical-minded, detail-oriented individual who can conduct themselves in a professional and ethical manner
• Hardworking, strives for excellence, troubleshoots analytical methods, critical thinking skills, and employs the scientific method
• A strong work ethic, time management, and a team builder committed to continuous development and self-improvement
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, ability to communicate well, and work with minimal supervision
• Aptitude for evaluating and repairing laboratory equipment
• Aptitude for learning and applying chemical and bacteriological techniques, and for handling delicate equipment
• Ability to learn advanced computer operations
• Strong knowledge in the utilization of the Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs
• Ability to stand for long periods of time

Benefits

American Water offers a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs, and much more!

Pay

$36.58 an hour, with potential for annual incentive pay and contracted increases as determined by the collective bargaining agreement.

Schedule

The scheduled hours of work are forty (40) per week from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm of Sunday-Thursday (emergencies and extenuating circumstances may require temporary schedule changes). Overtime will be required for sampling and laboratory coverage on an as needed basis.