How to Become a Water Quality Control Manager: Career Guide
To become a water quality control manager, your first step will be to determine if this career is right for you.
If you’re interested putting your education to use in a lucrative career that allows you to have an impact on the safety of our water supply, and are able to delegate work to others, this may be a suitable career option for you.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to succeed in a career as a water quality control manager. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed to Become a Water Quality Control Manager
For water quality control managers that begin their careers as water quality technicians or scientists, their education level will need to reflect that level of expertise.
In such cases, a degree in engineering, a master’s degree or a Ph.D. level degree in an area such as environmental science, chemistry or water resources is often needed to gain employment.
For water quality control managers that begin their career immediately in management, an MBA or other graduate degree relating to management is typically needed.
Water quality control managers must maintain current knowledge in their field; taking courses in their field periodically, attending training seminars or reading trade journals can accomplish this.
Water Quality Control Manager Job Description
Water quality control managers plan, direct and organize water quality activities for a city, municipality or region. They must also ensure that the activities and operations of the city, municipality or region comply with water quality standards and regulations.
Water Quality Control Manager Job Duties
• Manage watershed monitoring activities
• Analyze watershed monitoring data
• Participate in programs and activities pertaining to preventing watershed pollution
• Review and comment on documents relating to new projects and land use planning
• Review and approve contracts and schedules for imported water supplies
• Help direct activities in the event of a hazardous material spill jeopardizing water quality
• Conduct and oversee water systems engineering studies
• Initiate and direct special studies to improve and maintain water treatment and production performance
• Develop implementation strategies and plans to meet more stringent regulations and customer requirements
Who Hires Water Quality Control Managers?
There are a few different types of organizations that are interested in employing the skills, knowledge and competencies of water quality control managers; they may be hired by these organizations on a part-time, full-time, temporary or contract basis, depending on the needs of the employer.
• Federal, provincial/state and municipal governments
• Private water, sewage and sanitary utility services companies (contracted by governments)
• Universities and colleges
• Private research firms
• Environmental and engineering consulting firms
Water Quality Control Manager Salary
The salary level of water quality control managers can vary quite a bit depending on many factors, such as their level of experience and education, where they work, whether they are in the public or private sector, and many others.
It is difficult to accurately determine the salary level for water quality control managers, as no reliable salary data can be found for this specific career; however, we can get a good idea of their salary level by looking at the salary levels of very closely related careers.
Water Quality Control Manager Salary United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees in the Natural Science Managers occupational group earn a median salary of $116,020 per year.
Water Quality Control Manager Canada: According to ECO Canada, Water Quality Technicians with plenty of industry experience can earn between $44,800 and $70,500 per year.
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Careers Related to Water Quality Control Manager
Listed below are jobs that are similar in nature to Water Quality Control Manager, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
• Municipal Environmental Coordinator
References: Water Quality Control Manager Career
Please use the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as a water quality control manager.
Occupations in Alberta: “Water and Wastewater Operator.” (December 19, 2016). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Life, Physical, and Social Science: “Natural Sciences Managers.” (December 11, 2019). Bureau of Labor Statistics - United States Government website. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Career Profiles: “Water Quality Technician.” (n.d.) ECO Canada website. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
Scholarships for Becoming a Water Quality Control Manager
Scholarships in Canada and the United States listed for majors that apply to becoming a Water Quality Control Manager can be found on the following pages:
Environmental Science Scholarships
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Becoming a Water Quality Control Manager: Applicable Majors
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point to becoming a water quality control manager. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
