Description

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

Description

Why it’s a Great Opportunity:

We are seeking a QA/QC and/or environmental laboratory professional to join our Quality Assurance Team and contribute to our comprehensive QA/QC programs. In this role, you will have the opportunity to support environmental compliance, wastewater treatment operations, and regulatory reporting programs. This position provides the opportunity to have a real environmental impact within a complex technical environment.

You will be evaluating data quality from both internal and external laboratories. Specifically, you will be ensuring that analytical results meet strict regulatory and scientific standards, while utilizing systems for data verification, documentation, and tracking. You will be working with other QA/QC specialists, preparing COC’s for sampling events, and supporting audits, corrective actions, and proficiency testing programs. This role allows you to uphold the department’s quality systems, contribute to SOP’s and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), and support continuous improvement across analytical and sampling programs.

Additionally, the position provides the opportunity to work across Metro’s various departments. You will be supporting internal stakeholders, participating in training staff in QA/QC protocols, and assisting with internal and external outreach while attending industry engagements.

Overall, it’s an opportunity to support high-impact quality assurance work that ensures reliable environmental data, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence for Metro, while supporting our mission to protect the region’s health and environment.

Why It's a Great Department:

The Quality Assurance Team is situated within the Quality Assurance and Sampling Division of the Environmental Services Department.  Our department has a terrific culture that is built on continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration and fun. We believe in fostering a work environment that encourages teamwork, problem solving, creativity, and personal growth. Our team members have the opportunity to work on meaningful assignments and contribute to making a difference across Metro. The Environmental Services Department also includes the Pretreatment, Laboratory Services, Regulatory Compliance, and Water Quality Divisions, making it a dynamic and diverse work environment.

How to be Successful in the Role:

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Have an understanding of environmental laboratory QA/QC
• Are comfortable performing data review for a significant portion of your work day
• Can take a structured and detailed-oriented approach to daily tasks, with an emphasis on thorough documentation
• Can interpret analytical methods and regulatory guidance to make sound technical decisions
• Work effectively across teams to meet the needs of various stakeholders
• Are comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while proactively managing deadlines and competing priorities

We value excellence, integrity, inclusion and collaboration, and we're looking for someone who shares these values. 

This position will be filled at one of the following levels depending upon the candidate's qualifications:

QA/QC Specialist I ($68,452.80 - $95,472.00 Annually)
Performs and assists with a variety of duties related to Metro’s analytical quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure adherence to regulations and sound analytical practices. Works under the direct supervision of the QA Manager.?

QA/QC Specialist II ($73,923.20 - $103,105.60 Annually)
Performs a variety of duties related to Metro’s analytical quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure adherence to regulations and sound analytical practices. Provides QA/QC training and mentorship to Environmental Services personnel. Works under the direct supervision of the QA Manager.

Examples of Duties

This position is being posted at multiple levels. For Typical Duties, please select the appropriate job description below and wait for pop-up on the right of the screen. 

QA/QC Specialist I

QA/QC Specialist II

Qualifications

QA/QC Specialist I

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Principles of quality assurance and quality control associated with the collection and analysis of environmental samples (e.g. wastewater/water, air, soil, biosolids) for both laboratory and field sampling operations
• Sampling methodologies, data management, and analytical techniques
• EPA 40CFR Part 136, ASTM, and Standard Methods for water/wastewater testing methods and requirements
• Mathematical principles, including statistics
• Computer software including Microsoft Office 365, including specific knowledge with utilizing MS Excel, MS Word, Teams

Skilled at:

• Reading, evaluating and applying analytical methods 
• Analyzing technical data to ensure accuracy 
• Utilizing Microsoft Office 365 and data analysis and management software for analyzing data, communicating and reporting
• Effectively communicating verbally and in writing

Ability to:

• Demonstrate a high attention to detail in their work
• Follow Metro SOPs and procedures
• Develop, review and evaluate SOP’s and lab procedures
• Interact and collaborate with a diverse audience
• Access/review/manage analytical data in a LIMS system
• Analyze technical data to ensure regulatory adherence
• Assist with conducting audits of laboratory and field sampling activities
• Effectively adapt and operate with evolving and fluid priorities and/or other requirements
• Make data validity determinations following QA/QC criteria and procedures

Education, License, and Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, biology, engineering, statistics, mathematics, or related field. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

QA/QC Specialist II 

Knowledge of:

• Principles of quality assurance and quality control associated with the collection and analysis of environmental samples (e.g. wastewater/water, air, soil, biosolids) for both laboratory and field sampling operations
• Advanced understanding of sampling methodologies, data management, and analytical techniques
• In depth knowledge of EPA 40CFR Part 136, ASTM, and Standard Methods for water/wastewater testing methods and requirements
• Mathematical principles, including statistics
• Computer software including Microsoft Office 365, including specific knowledge with utilizing MS Excel, MS Word, Teams

Skilled at:

• LIMS system to access/review/manage analytical data
• Following SOPs and procedures
• Developing, reviewing and evaluating SOP’s and lab procedures
• Making data validity determinations following QA/QC criteria and procedures
• Supporting audit efforts of both internal and external data
• Analyzing technical data to ensure accuracy and regulatory adherence
• Utilizing Microsoft Office 365 and data analysis and management software for analyzing data, communicating and reporting
• Demonstrating a high attention to detail in their work
• Effectively communicating verbally and in writing

Ability to:

• Interact and collaborate with a diverse audience
• Conduct audits of laboratory and field sampling activities
• Effectively adapt and operate with evolving and fluid priorities and/or other requirements
• Develop and implement a QA/QC Program 
• Develop and implement comprehensive QA/QC and sampling programs to support regulatory and financial requirements and needs
• Accurately interpret National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements and adjust QA/QC and sampling programs as necessary for compliance
• Review environmental laws and regulations (e.g. Clean Air Act) to identify sampling and analytical requirements and update QA/QC, sample collection and other programs as needed

Education, License, and Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, biology, engineering, statistics, mathematics, or other related fields. A valid driver’s license. Valid RMWQAA Laboratory Analyst I Certification. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Working Conditions

Typical Work Environment  
Working on a variety of floor surfaces including tile, carpet, sidewalks; Work in parking lots; Uneven Surfaces; Slippery surfaces; Wet surfaces; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and overhead lighting; Inside environment; Outside environment; Vibration due to vehicle driving
 

Body Position Demands
Reaching in front; Standing; Walking; Balancing; Object handling; Typing; Simple hand grasping; Driving a vehicle; Sitting; Climbing stairs; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Fine hand coordination; Firm hand grasping
 
Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 40 lbs. 
Max Weight Carried: 20lbs
Max Force Pushed: 3 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 3 lbs
 
Sensory Requirements

Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Far, Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Hearing

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Applicants for employment with Metro Water Recovery must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.