What does a water quality specialist do?
Typically working for government agencies, a water quality specialist is in charge of conducting studies to test the quality and environmental sources of water, identifying potential issues should there be any. Among their responsibilities include traveling to various areas with water access points, gathering samples for laboratory tests, performing site inspections, and maintaining records of procedures. Through the research and test findings, a water quality test specialist draws conclusions and alerts the authorities for any problems. Moreover, aside from government agencies, a water quality specialist may also work for other institutions and private companies.
Water quality specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real water quality specialist resumes:
- Manage IDDE program that consists of GIS documentation, field sampling and reporting.
- Manage performance improvement and quality improvement projects design to assess and improve health outcomes for Medicaid members.
- Map interpretation for wetland, floodplain and shoreland.
- Field orienteering using GPS, topographical maps, aerial photos, basic compass
- Gather data points using survey quality GPS units at sample site locations.
- Analyze soil and water extracts according to EPA commercial and contract laboratory protocols.
- Stake out wetland projects and other construction layout projects, to include wildlife habitats.
- Create databases using ArcView GIS to query potential hazards and also create maps for county.
- Perform CRP inspections for status reviews and re-enrollment field checks to check compliance for farm bill program.
- Assist in preparing samples for cation/anion testing and for the ICP-MS. Data entry of results into LIMS software.
- Analyze domestic potable water distribution system sites in compliance of EPA regulations
- Investigate complaints by analyzing initial information and following up with patients by phone.
- Maintain and repair filter systems and pond/pool plumbing.-Plant and maintain aquatic plants.-Salt water and fresh water tank maintenance.-Emergency services
- Perform general grounds maintenance on city parks and playing fields: mowing, edging, and weeding.
- Update QMS documentation to reflect current processes and to streamline documentation requirements.
Water quality specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Water Quality Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Extraction, and Water Damage. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Water Quality Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 32%
Recognized by company and customers for excellent customer service.
- Extraction, 20%
Water extraction, Dry outs, Mold Damage Tear out damage structure and replace with new construction.
- Water Damage, 16%
Work with Remediation 911 contractors to inspect and remove mold and water damage from residencies.
- MSDS, 5%
Replenished and properly discard unacceptable materials according to MSDS guidelines.
- Plumbing, 3%
Maintain and repair filter systems and pond/pool plumbing.-Plant and maintain aquatic plants.-Salt water and fresh water tank maintenance.-Emergency services
- Site Inspections, 2%
Perform site inspections when properties are in question or non compliant.
Most water quality specialists use their skills in "customer service," "extraction," and "water damage" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential water quality specialist responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a water quality specialist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "natural sciences managers must be able to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences, such as scientists, policymakers, and the public." Additionally, a water quality specialist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "maintained clear communication to the finance department regarding policy holders' payment requests. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling water quality specialist duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "natural sciences managers must be able to organize, direct, and motivate others." According to a water quality specialist resume, here's how water quality specialists can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "provided technical and leadership support in strategic planning, program development, and outreach. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of water quality specialists is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday water quality specialist duties, as "natural sciences managers use scientific observation and analysis to find answers to complex technical questions." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "performed water quality tests using a multiprobe: temperature, ph, turbidity, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. "
Time-management skills. For certain water quality specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "time-management skills." The day-to-day duties of a water quality specialist rely on this skill, as "natural sciences managers must be able to perform multiple administrative, supervisory, and technical tasks while ensuring that projects remain on schedule." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what water quality specialists do: "perform on time investigations for manufacturing excursions occurred during process perform regular safety and quality audits to gmp areas during production. "
Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a water quality specialist to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what water quality specialists relies on this skill, since "natural sciences managers lead research teams and therefore need to work well with others in order to reach common goals." How this skill relates to water quality specialist duties can be seen in an example from a water quality specialist resume snippet: "audit all services provided by exelis utilizing strong analytical, problem solving, auditing interviewing/communication and interpersonal skills. "
The three companies that hire the most water quality specialists are:
- BELFOR Franchise Group6 water quality specialists jobs
- Navarro Group2 water quality specialists jobs
- Americorps2 water quality specialists jobs
Compare different water quality specialists
Water quality specialist vs. Senior hydrogeologist
A senior water resources engineer is an individual who is in-charged in supervising, planning, and implementing project management ideas for stormwater. His/Her or her roles also include establishing business relationships, analyzing the quality of water, and preparing contracts and project cost estimates. The core skills for the position include excellent leadership, communication, and time management skills and proficiency in project management and civil engineering. The job's education requirements include a degree in civil or environmental engineering.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between water quality specialists and senior hydrogeologist. For instance, water quality specialist responsibilities require skills such as "customer service," "water damage," "msds," and "water extraction." Whereas a senior hydrogeologist is skilled in "osha," "groundwater flow," "technical support," and "geotechnical." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that senior hydrogeologists earn slightly differ from water quality specialists. In particular, senior hydrogeologists are 18.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a water quality specialist. Additionally, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Water quality specialist vs. Senior water resources engineer
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that water quality specialist responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "extraction," "water damage," and "msds." But a senior water resources engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "hec ras," "project management," "civil engineering," and "hec-ras."
In general, senior water resources engineers achieve higher levels of education than water quality specialists. They're 10.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Water quality specialist vs. Water resource consultant
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from water quality specialist resumes include skills like "customer service," "extraction," "water damage," and "msds," whereas a water resource consultant is more likely to list skills in "community resources," "independent living," "hec ras," and "contract compliance. "
Most water resource consultants achieve a higher degree level compared to water quality specialists. For example, they're 8.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Water quality specialist vs. Water resources business segment leader
Updated January 8, 2025
