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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Quality Assistant

💰 $ - $

EnvironmentalWater QualityLaboratoryField Sampling

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Quality Assistant supports field and laboratory programs that monitor and protect surface water, groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater systems. This role executes sample collection, conducts routine laboratory analyses, maintains equipment and chain-of-custody documentation, and assists scientists and engineers in data QA/QC and reporting. The ideal candidate has hands-on sampling experience, familiarity with Standard Methods and EPA procedures, strong attention to detail, and the ability to work safely in diverse field conditions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Field Technician / Environmental Field Aide
  • Laboratory Assistant or Lab Technician (environmental chemistry/microbiology)
  • Environmental Science Technician (intern or seasonal)

Advancement To:

  • Water Quality Technician / Senior Water Quality Technician
  • Environmental Scientist / Environmental Analyst
  • Laboratory Supervisor / Field Crew Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Wastewater Treatment Operator
  • Environmental Health & Safety Technician
  • GIS/Environmental Data Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Collect water, wastewater, sediment, and biological samples in accordance with project-specific sampling plans, Standard Methods, and EPA-approved protocols; maintain strict chain-of-custody documentation and sample preservation requirements.
  • Perform routine and non-routine field measurements using portable instruments (turbidity meters, dissolved oxygen probes, pH meters, conductivity meters, fluorometers) and calibrate/maintain field equipment daily.
  • Conduct laboratory analyses for parameters such as turbidity, pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, ammonia, total phosphorus, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and basic metals using Standard Methods and laboratory SOPs.
  • Perform microbiological analyses including membrane filtration for total coliforms and E. coli, incubation and colony counts, and aseptic technique to prevent contamination.
  • Prepare reagents, culture media, and standards following laboratory SOPs and laboratory safety protocols; verify reagent concentrations and expiration dates.
  • Accurately log sample data and analytical results into Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) or electronic data sheets; ensure timely and error-free data entry for QA/QC review.
  • Follow QA/QC protocols: collect field and laboratory blanks, duplicates, spikes, and standards; document deviations and corrective actions; support data validation and flagging.
  • Maintain and service sampling gear and laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers, photometers, atomic absorption (AAS)/ICP sample prep, incubators, and autoclaves; coordinate repairs with vendors.
  • Drive to field sites and/or operate small boats or ATVs to access sampling locations; adhere to safe driving and boat operation policies and maintain vehicle logs.
  • Assist in the preparation of monthly and project-specific field and laboratory reports, including tabulation of results, creation of charts, and concise written summaries for project leads.
  • Follow all health and safety procedures (PPE, confined space entry protocols, HAZWOPER where applicable), perform site-specific safety assessments, and document near-misses or incidents in safety reports.
  • Collect, prepare, and ship environmental samples to contract laboratories ensuring proper preservation, temperature control, and chain-of-custody paperwork for offsite analyses.
  • Participate in field reconnaissance, equipment installation (e.g., dataloggers, sondes, auto-samplers), and basic sensor deployments; perform routine downloads and data integrity checks.
  • Support aquatic biological sampling (benthic macroinvertebrate kick nets, habitat assessments, fish sampling coordination) under supervision and assist in specimen handling and labeling.
  • Implement sample handling procedures for hazardous or regulated analytes (e.g., heavy metals, pesticides), following local, state, and federal guidelines for transport and disposal.
  • Assist senior scientists in calibration of continuous monitoring equipment and in the QA/QC of long-term monitoring datasets, including identification of instrumentation drift and data anomalies.
  • Coordinate scheduling and logistics for multi-site monitoring programs, including stakeholder communications, permit compliance, and access arrangements with landowners or agencies.
  • Conduct basic laboratory troubleshooting and method optimization, document SOP updates, and propose improvements to increase throughput and reduce analytical uncertainty.
  • Provide support during emergency response sampling (e.g., spills, illicit discharges, algal blooms), rapidly deploy to sites, collect priority samples, and communicate preliminary results to supervisors.
  • Train and mentor seasonal staff and interns on proper sampling techniques, laboratory safety, and data recording to ensure consistent program quality.
  • Maintain inventory of consumables, reagents, and PPE; place orders, track lot numbers and expiration dates, and manage storage conditions for chemicals and standards.
  • Assist with environmental permit compliance sampling (NPDES, SDWA, stormwater), track sampling schedules, and ensure analyses meet regulatory method detection limits and holding times.
  • Participate in project meetings and contribute to proposals, workplans, and scope development by providing realistic field and lab effort estimates and logistical considerations.
  • Archive physical and digital records (chain-of-custody forms, raw data, instrument logs) to maintain traceability and support audits and regulatory inspections.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc field projects such as source-tracking studies, wet-weather monitoring, and post-storm event sampling; adapt sampling protocols under supervision to meet study objectives.
  • Assist with simple GIS tasks: georeference sample sites, import field locations, and create basic maps for reports and field routing.
  • Help maintain and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance project plans (QAPPs) by providing practical feedback from field and lab activities.
  • Support client and stakeholder communications by preparing routine status updates and answering basic technical questions under direction of senior staff.
  • Participate in training programs and cross-train with other teams (e.g., laboratory chemists, microbiologists, data analysts) to broaden operational capability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Field sample collection: surface water, groundwater, wastewater, stormwater, sediment, and biological samples; strict adherence to SOPs and chain-of-custody procedures.
  • Laboratory analysis: proficiency with Standard Methods for water and wastewater testing (turbidity, pH, DO, BOD, nutrients, basic metals).
  • Microbiology techniques: membrane filtration, plate counts, sterile technique, incubation and colony enumeration for coliform/E. coli testing.
  • Field instrumentation: operation and routine calibration/maintenance of portable meters (YSI, Hach, Thermo), turbidity meters/nephelometers, handheld probes.
  • Instrument familiarity: spectrophotometers/photometers, ICP/AAS sample prep basics, autosamplers, incubators, and autoclaves.
  • Data management: experience with LIMS, Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables), electronic field data capture, and accurate data transcription.
  • QA/QC practices: blanks, duplicates, spikes, calibration checks, control charts, data flagging, and documentation of corrective actions.
  • Chain-of-custody and sample preservation: knowledge of sample holding times, refrigeration/freezing, acidification, and preservation techniques.
  • Field safety and compliance: OSHA standards, confined space awareness, HAZWOPER (8- or 40-hour preferred), PPE use, and emergency response sampling.
  • GIS and mapping basics: georeferencing samples, reading maps, basic GIS or ArcGIS Online familiarity.
  • Vehicle and small boat operation: valid driver’s license; experience operating small boats or working from docks and shorelines beneficial.
  • Equipment maintenance: troubleshooting, routine maintenance, and coordination of professional repairs for field and lab equipment.
  • Regulatory familiarity: basic understanding of SDWA, CWA/NPDES, and EPA analytical method requirements.
  • Sample shipping and preservation: familiarity with dry ice shipping, UN3373 (biological samples), and FedEx/UPS hazardous materials guidance for lab samples.
  • Basic chemistry and microbiology laboratory math: dilutions, standard curve preparation, percent recoveries.

Soft Skills

  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy in field and laboratory record-keeping.
  • Clear verbal and written communication for reporting field observations and analytical results.
  • Ability to work independently in remote field conditions and as part of interdisciplinary teams.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to meet tight holding times and project deadlines.
  • Problem-solving mindset and flexibility to adapt protocols in dynamic field situations.
  • Professional client-facing demeanor when interacting with stakeholders, landowners, and regulatory inspectors.
  • Commitment to safety culture and proactive identification of hazards.
  • Mentoring and training aptitude for seasonal staff and interns.
  • Organizational skills for inventory management, scheduling, and documentation.
  • Cultural competence and teamwork for collaborative multi-stakeholder projects.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with relevant certifications (e.g., water quality sampling, HAZWOPER 8-hour, first aid/CPR).

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Technology, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Environmental Science / Environmental Studies
  • Chemistry (Analytical or Environmental)
  • Biology / Microbiology
  • Hydrology / Water Resources
  • Environmental Technology / Lab Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level to early-career) for assistant roles; seasonal/temporary experience also common.

Preferred:

  • 1–3 years of hands-on field sampling and laboratory analysis experience in water quality, wastewater, or environmental monitoring programs.
  • Experience with Standard Methods and EPA-approved analytical methods, LIMS, and field instrumentation calibration.
  • Preferred certifications: OSHA HAZWOPER (8- or 40-hour as applicable), TWIC/boat operator license if working on navigable waters, confined space entry training, and First Aid/CPR.
  • Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to remote/regional field sites; ability to lift 50 lbs and perform physical field tasks.
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