Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Analyst I

West Basin Municipal Water District is a global leader in the water industry in water recycling, conservation, water resource management, youth and adult education, and ocean-water desalination.  West Basin provides drinking water and recycled water to eight local retail water agencies including four cities, three private water companies, and one county water agency.  The District serves a population of nearly one million residents in 17 cities and unincorporated areas along the coastal corridor from Palos Verdes to Malibu.  The District is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors and is a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

West Basin operates the state-of-the-art Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility and three satellite locations.  It is the largest treatment and water purification facility of its type in the world providing nearly 40 million gallons of water each day to over 300 sites.  West Basin utilizes various advanced treatment processes to produce five types of high-quality “designer” waters used for commercial, industrial, and landscape purposes, including three ultra-pure waters.

West Basin owns and operates over 100 miles of recycled water pipeline, and supplies recycled water to customers for non-potable use.  To expand the use of recycled water, the District assists customers with the process of converting their sites to utilize recycled water.  In addition, the District conducts site inspections to ensure compliance with the safe use of recycled water.

West Basin is an equal opportunity employer, promoting diversity in its recruitment process and programs.  The District is committed to customer service and seeks to provide its customers with the most qualified and exceptional professional services through those they employ while offering an excellent benefits package to its employees.  

THE POSITION:

West Basin is seeking a qualified Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Analyst I to join the Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Division of the Operations Department to provide assistance in a variety of technical compliance and water quality programs. The Water Quality & Environmental Analyst I will work under the direct supervision of the Water Quality & Environmental Compliance Supervisor to organize and manage compliance permits, projects, and programs focused on the water quality/environmental compliance needs of West Basin, including overseeing various permits compliance and reporting. The desired incumbent will also ensure work quality and adherence to established West Basin policies and procedures.

Key responsibilities are:

• Assists the Supervisor to oversee the District’s reporting and compliance programs associated with the treatment and distribution of recycled water.
• Assists in obtaining complex permits; researches, develops, and recommends procedures and strategies to ensure compliance with federal and state environmental laws and regulations.
• Ensures all reports to local, state, and federal regulators are submitted on time in compliance with District operating permits for recycled water such as hazardous material and waste programs, air quality permitting programs, and water quality monitoring programs.
• Assists the Operations staff with a variety of inquiries, questions, and issues; utilizes directed analysis to help with optimization of Operations related to compliance programs; responds as directed to water quality and compliance issues related to the operation of the recycled water facilities as well as drinking water programs. Provides customer service-oriented work environment, and ensures timely delivery of required reports to local, state, and federal regulators.
• Serves as Project Manager for compliance programs related to the environmental and regulatory requirements affecting District operations. 
• Proposes strategies and creative solutions to complex permitting and environmental problems; effectively communicates goals and objectives with Supervisor.
• Assures organization and management of assigned compliance permit reporting deadlines.
• Assesses environmental issues and recommends compliance and operations requirements.
• Assist in obtaining permits and maintaining permit schedules for compliance requirements such as Hazardous Material and Waste Management, Air Quality Permits, and Water Discharge Permits.
• Assists in environmental regulatory compliance auditing, inspections, and reporting for the District.
• Assists the Supervisor and Department with requests from various regulators, such as the USEPA, State Water Resource Board, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Air Quality Management District, Department of Public Health, County Environmental Health, Sanitation Districts, Department of Toxic Substance Control, Local Fire Department’s and other federal, state and local environmental regulatory agencies and organizations.
• Reviews and researches federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, rules, compliance orders, and court decisions relating to environmental protection issues; recommends changes in compliance procedures and policies to comply with environmental regulations to Supervisor Reviews and maintains Standard Operating Procedures for Compliance reporting.
• Assists the Supervisor as a technical resource on environmental compliance issues; responds to plant spills and other emergency situations, and supervises the preparation of all required reports.
• Assists with the coordination and development of the District’s Facilities’ Emergency Response Plan. Collaborates with the plant operator Health and Safety officer to assure compliance issues are brought to the attention of the Supervisor and Department Manager.
• Assists the Supervisor to comply with Title 22 Standards, the National Pollutant Discharge System (NPDES), Industrial Storm Water Programs, Air Emissions Reporting, and Hazardous Waste Reporting. Collaborates with the Department team to troubleshoot water quality issues related to recycled water. Performs directed analysis to assist Operations staff with optimization of processes related to compliance programs.  
• Responds to inquiries in a courteous manner; provides information within the area of assignment.
• Assists the Engineering Department as liaison for capital projects related to environmental compliance.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate will have:

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, or a closely related field; AND 1-2 years of progressively responsible water quality and compliance experience. A California Water Treatment Operator I certification is desired.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory requirements applicable to monitoring and reporting water quality, including drinking water, wastewater, recycled water, and storm water and environmental data.
• Knowledge of principles, theories, methods, and techniques of environmental science, water resources management, and environmental protection. Knowledge of principles and practices of environmental compliance program administration, including permitting and reporting requirements.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of sound business communication and scientific writing.
• Familiarity with water and wastewater treatment and water recycling plant processes and operations.
• Knowledge of laboratory functions and procedures including sampling and water quality analysis methods, Chain of Custody, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) techniques.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the environmental compliance and permitting activities of a large, complex recycled water treatment and distribution system.
• Collaborate effectively with Supervisors and Regulators. Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies, and other written materials.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines; plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Work well with team and Supervisor; exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential issues and situations.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software applications including word processing, spreadsheet, and databases.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the management, staff, all levels of representatives of governmental and member agencies, the public, and others encountered in the course of work.
• Occasional after-hour/weekend response may be required for urgent compliance matters.
• Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License, proof of insurance, and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continued employment.  The employee is required to use his or her own vehicle with mileage reimbursed at the standard IRS rate.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

There is one (1) vacancy currently available for this position.  The salary range is $78,087 to $97,608 annually, depending on qualifications. This position is eligible for benefits.

Application deadline: August 17, 2022.  Apply online at: www.westbasin.org

For questions or additional information, please contact:  West Basin Municipal Water District, Human Resources Department, 17140 S. Avalon Boulevard, Carson, CA 90746, (310) 660-6228.  Email:  hr@westbasin.org

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed West Basin Online Application and Supplemental Questionnaire.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and a possible written exercise.