The Position

Are you passionate about water quality and conservation? Are you looking to be part of a City that strives to enhance the quality of life for residents and business owners by ensuring that a clean, plentiful water supply is available? Then the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company has an exciting opportunity for you! The City of Ontario is currently searching for a dedicated candidate to join the Water Quality Programs Division as a Water Quality Specialist. The Water Quality Specialist is a technical level position responsible for the coordination of the City's drinking water quality monitoring program. The Water Quality Specialist participates in reviewing and comprehending changes to federal and state regulations to effectively review and provide comments on the impacts of upcoming regulations regarding water quality monitoring programs and regulatory compliance. This role also assists in the review of laboratory analytical data for compliance with water quality standards, regulations, and operating permit; communicates results to appropriate personnel.

The ideal candidate will possess knowledge of applicable, federal, and state regulations as well as basic chemistry and math and their application to water quality, recycled water, and drinking water standards; exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with a customer service orientation; exhibit problem solving skills leading to sound judgment and quality decisions; and have outstanding analytical skills. Additionally, the successful candidate will be a model for the City's Approach to Public Service - Commitment to the Community, Achieving Excellence Through Teamwork, and Doing the Right Thing the Right Way – and emulate the qualities of a 5 Tool Player – Leader, Thinker, Operator, Communicator, and Public Servant.

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  The Eligibility List will consist of both internal and external applicants who best meet the qualifications and successfully complete any required selection processes.
• The hiring department has the discretion to consider internal applicants on the Eligibility list prior to considering all applicants on the Eligibility list.

Water Quality Programs

The Water Quality Programs Division oversees drinking water monitoring and compliance, groundwater and treatment quality, backflow prevention and cross-connections, and recycled water usage. These programs ensure the City’s drinking water meets all mandated water quality standards and delivered in a responsible manner that protects public health.

The Ontario Municipal Utilities Company

The Ontario Municipal Utilities Company is committed to the protection of the environment, public health, and its sewerage system through regulating the quality of wastewater that passes into its sewerage system. The Ontario Municipal Utility Company consists of seven Divisions; Administration and Customer Service, Engineering, Environmental Programs, Operations, Water Production, Water Resources, and Water Quality Programs. Collectively, these Division's responsibilities include water production and treatment; conservation, water distribution operation, maintenance and repair; customer service/meter reading; backflow prevention and cross-connections; recycled water; drinking water quality; wastewater collection system operation, maintenance, and repair; and regulation of wastewater discharges. These activities play a vital role in ensuring that the water system is operated and maintained to deliver drinking water that meets our residents and businesses water needs and the sewer collection system is maintained to prevent sewer overflow and unauthorized discharges. The Municipal Utilities Company provides affordable, high-quality drinking water that meets all Federal, State, and local requirements.

The City of Ontario serves more than 13 billion gallons of water annually to the City's 170,000-plus residents and 6,000-plus businesses through the operation and maintenance of 17 active groundwater wells, over 600 miles of potable and recycled water pipelines, and 12 water reservoirs that store 75 million gallons of water. Approximately 80% of Ontario's drinking water comes from local groundwater sources, including groundwater supplied to the City of Ontario from 27 wells and two water treatment plants operated by the Chino Basin Desalter Authority (CDA). The remaining 20% of Ontario's drinking water is imported surface water supplied through the State Water Project and treated at the Agua de Lejos Treatment Plant before it is delivered to the City for use. Recycled water is provided for non-potable uses such as outdoor irrigation and some industrial applications. During the past ten years, more than 500 recycled water service connections have been completed, supplying nearly 10% of Ontario's total water demand.

The City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including; Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Economic Development, Housing & Neighborhood Preservation, Public Works and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,400 full-time and 300 part-time diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

We invite you to learn more about the City of Ontario by reviewing the City's website including the City’s 2023 State of the City Address to learn more about the exciting opportunities this position will play in the vital growth of the City in becoming the Premier Community of the Inland Empire!
Please click on other useful links below to learn more about the City of Ontario:

Approach to Public Service (Download PDF reader) (Core Values for City of Ontario employees)
Downtown Ontario (What to do in Downtown Ontario)
The Ontario Plan (The City's Comprehensive Business Plan for Development)
OntarioCityEmployees.org (Information about City of Ontario employee benefit plans)

Examples of Essential Functions

The functions typically performed by the Water Quality Specialist include the following:

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  Coordinates one or more programs for water quality, water conservation, and industrial wastewater pretreatment.
• Provides routine, daily organization of personnel and contract laboratories involved in a variety of water and wastewater permits.
• Collects samples and performs field analysis.
• Prepares compliance reports for water, recycled water, and wastewater regulations.
• Maintains records and documents; prepares reports.
• Assists in the administration of contracts.
• Conducts state-mandated tailgate safety meetings.
• Communicates with the public to answer questions and respond to and resolve complaints.
• Provides public education at environmental fairs.

Qualification Guidelines

Possession of California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 and/or Industrial Waste Inspector Grade 2 certificate at time of application.

Desirable

Associates of Science degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or recognized equivalent degree, supplemented by specialized training or coursework in drinking water system operations, water quality, or water treatment.

California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 2 or 3.

Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding water quality, hazardous waste, industrial waste pretreatment, and storm water pollution prevention programs; previous lead or supervisory experience.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

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  List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including, if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

Supplemental Questions

To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.

Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.

Email Notices

Email is the primary way that the Human Resources or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the city of Ontario will come from "@ontarioca.gov" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here www.ontariocityemployees.org.

Employees in this classification are represented by Teamsters Local 1932.