Water Pollution Control Technician - City of Bessemer

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

04/24/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 20

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

The City of Bessemer is seeking a Water Pollution Control Technician to collect and analyze water and wastewater samples for state and federal regulatory reporting. Responsibilities include performing chemical and biological laboratory tests; analyzing industrial wastewater, treatment plant influent and effluent, stormwater runoff, and surface water samples; conducting field inspections to identify and report violations of water pollution laws; and assisting with administrative duties. This position exercises independent judgment within established policies and procedures.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Bessemer provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:


$21.24 - $32.95

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

Option A:

• Driver's license.

• Experience performing laboratory analyses in a laboratory setting.  

Option B:

• Driver's license.

• Experience field collecting and testing environmental samples, such as soil, water or air.

Option C:

• Driver's license.

• Completed college laboratory coursework in the area of Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Sciences.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by the City of Bessemer. These qualifications may be considered by a hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Hazardous Material and Chemical Spill Certification (OSHA, DOT, IATA or EPA). 

• Certified Quality Inspector (CQI).

• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry or other Environmental Science.

• Laboratory experience using automated instrumentation.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Accepts and prepares various wastewater samples for testing by inspecting, measuring, and logging the sample for various biological and chemical testing.

• Maintains records and reports results in accordance with best practices and Standard Methods textbook (Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance) to aid in report writing, publishing findings, documenting training, and lab safety measures.

• Collects samples in the field through the use of and adherence to various techniques, policies, and procedures for the purpose of testing and analysis.

• Conducts field analyses of various samples and follows quality assurance and quality control procedures for conducting field analyses outlined in the Standard Methods textbook.

• Conducts water inspections to proactively detect and stop illicit discharge or sources of contamination in accordance with federal, state, and local agencies, laws, and best practices such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Water Act, Alabama Department of Environmental Management.

• Conducts laboratory analyses of various samples by checking standards, measuring samples, and calculating biological and chemical standards in order to determine water quality.

• Maintains equipment, laboratory supplies, and instruments in accordance with best practices and Standard Methods textbook (Standard Operating Procedures and Quality Assurance) to ensure sterile environment free of contamination in order to conduct accurate and valid assessments.

• Communicates with various types of individuals to inform and advise and alert them to potential dangers involving water quality, pollution control, and various other issues and activities.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing. May involve occasional light lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed both within employer-owned facilities such as a laboratory, warehouse, or station and in field locations such as outdoor water location sites. Work involves the use of various laboratory testing equipment and requires working in all types of weather conditions. Job may require exposure occasionally to biological and/or chemical hazards as well as exposure to unpleasant smells (e.g., urine, feces, noxious fumes, and waste).

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.