Sr. Sampling Associate

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference-in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Ensures that the sampling done by TRAC meets programmatic requirements and is consistent among the TRAC sampling staff. Co-Manages TRAC's sampling operations area at the Chelsea facility.

Posting Period: 5/1/2026 - 5/14/2026

Location: Chelsea, MA

Salary: $98,087.44 - $137,144.76 Annually $1,886.30 - $2,637.40 Weekly

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Supervises TRAC sampling staff and provides overall direction to the TRAC sampling staff concerning technical requirements for sampling to ensure that there is consistency and coordination among and within the staff on sampling practice, procedure, and implementation.
• Schedules field activities for assigned staff using pretreatment and other software. Reviews sampling done by TRAC staff to help ensure that it meets programmatic and legal requirements. Reviews monitoring reports and recommends corrections as necessary.
• Manages TRAC's sampling operations area at the Chelsea facility to ensure a clean and safe working environment; ensures that sampling equipment and supplies are available and maintained, and develops the TRAC sampling field equipment budget.
• Reviews and recommends sampling procedures (Monitoring Manual), drafting new and updating existing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensures that SOPs are followed by the team.
• Provides orientation and training on sampling and safety issues and procedures to other TRAC staff.
• Assists Program Manager, Monitoring in field to office communications, acting as field liaison to Program Manager, Monitoring.
• Serves as lead coordinator on special projects and emergency sampling. Performs sampling, flow measurements and dye testing for multimedia sample types including but not limited to CSO activations.
• Initiates Data Anomaly Investigation Reports as necessary and follows through until data/reports and computer systems accurately reflect information.
• Tracks sampling goals and accomplishments to help ensure that TRAC meets its sampling goals and requirements and provides reports on sampling achievements.
• Assures the training of employees in sampling, quality control, administrative, and safety procedures, and provides instruction as appropriate.
• Conducts employee performance reviews in accordance with MWRA procedures, and recommends hires and promotions.
• Assists in maintaining harmonious labor management relations through application of collective bargaining agreement provisions and established personnel policies.
• Works on TRAC's sampling initiatives.
• Responsible for assigned vehicles and monitoring equipment.
• Assists in reviewing and responding to requests from sewer users to be approved to take their own wastewater samples.
• Participates in liaison, coordination, and educational activities within the MWRA and with other governmental agencies and the public.
• Drafts reports, memoranda, and other documents.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, a related engineering or science discipline, or other related field; and
• At least Five (5) years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment and discharge including a detailed understanding of industrial wastewater sampling techniques and requirements;
• At least two (2) years of experience managing employees, consultants, projects, or programs, or completion of the MWRA supervisory development program, or completion of the program within six months of being in the position; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A Massachusetts Class D Driver's license (or equivalent) is required for travel between MWRA locations.
• OSHA 40-hour training and confined space entry.
• May be eligible to telework part-time after an initial waiting period.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of environmental engineering, science, law, policy and practice related to industrial wastewater treatment and discharge.
• Ability to plan and implement programs.
• Familiarity with computers, including word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and other information systems and an ability to perform data analyses.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Tools and Equipment Used

Mobile radio, telephone, personal computer, including word processing and other software, copy and fax machine.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside-weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. Employee must be able to successfully complete Confined Space Entry training program. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in office settings.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Program Manager, Monitoring. Exercises direct supervision of and provides overall direction to approximately five to seven TRAC Sampling Associates. Ensures activities conducted by TRAC sampling staff adhere to established federal, state and MWRA pretreatment program regulations, policies and guidelines.

Other Position Information

PCR: 2210060

Division: Operations

Department: Toxic Reduction and Control

Union/Grade: MOSES (Unit 9)/Grade 25

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.