The Water Authority of Fiji is a corporate body established under the Water Authority of Fiji Act 2007 to make provision for the effective management and administration of the Water and the wastewater systems.
We are responsible for providing access to quality drinking water and wastewater services to over 159,000 and 33,540 residential and non-residential metered customers in the urban areas of Fiji and also setting up water supply systems in rural areas.
The Technical Officer – Field Sampling is responsible for coordinating and supervising WAF's national field sampling programme, including the planning, allocation and execution of drinking water, wastewater, trade waste, raw water and environmental sampling activities across all operational regions. The position supports the Head of Laboratory Operations and the Manager – Water Quality & Treatment by ensuring field sampling programmes are implemented in accordance with WAF Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ISO/IEC 17025:2017, APHA Standard Methods and other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The role is responsible for supervising Field Technicians and Laboratory Technicians, ensuring sample integrity, maintaining Chain of Custody requirements and delivering timely, accurate and reliable field data to support laboratory analysis, regulatory compliance, operational decision-making and the protection of public health. The Position reports to the Head of Laboratory Operations.
- Effective and efficient Laboratory services
- Superiors (Head of Laboratories Operations and Manager Water Quality & Treatment) effectively assisted in successfully delivering the following:
- Relevant annual budget preparation
- Unit's progress effectively monitored against the approved annual budget
- Organizing and monitoring the day-to-day sampling and analysis programs as allocated for all three regions.
- Effective leadership of a team of Laboratory and Field Technicians for the successful delivery/achievement of the following:
- Water, wastewater and environment quality and trade waste sampling and analysis as per the APHA 24th Edition Standard Methods for the Examination of water and wastewater. Completed and reported in a timely manner
- Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for water quality analysis and sampling, surveying and assessment as per NZS ISO/IEC 17025:2005, “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories” reviewed and updated to comply with standard requirements.
- Quality and timely analysis on all water, wastewater, environmental completed and water samples received as allocated.
- Ensure laboratory instruments and equipment that are used in the field are operational and maintained at all times
- Ensure all non-conformance works are documented, reported to the Head of Laboratories Operations and successfully addressed.
- Plan sampling and monthly testing carried out effectively in a timely manner to comply with standards and requirements
- Complaints attended to and escalated where necessary and special sampling completed when required
- Complaints data analysis undertaken and key observations noted and reported to superiors
- Work schedules for direct reports (analysts, technicians etc.) developed and successfully implemented
- Timely and relevant support/guidance/on-the-job training provided to direct reports ensuring outcomes are successfully achieved
- Effective supervision of all data gathering exercises and documentation works for the Laboratory function in terms of sampling are delivered
- Timely receipt of external customer samples, with proper records and details as per the requirements of sample receipt and the chain of custody process.
- Receiving, labelling and safely storing samples to be tested.
- Determination and Performance of relevant tests that are needed for the analysis and provision of report.
- Recording tests and analyses and then reporting the results.
- Discussing and answering any questions regarding the results.
- Organizing and storing samples in accordance with all safety and other requirements to ensure the safety of personnel and integrity of the sample.
- Cleaning and maintaining lab equipment, including recalibration of equipment.
- Maintaining equipment records and daily work logs.
- Full compliance with set policies and procedures of WAF, relevant Government ministries and the requirements of legislations/regulations during the execution of outcomes.
- Relevant documents/records appropriately completed, accessible and maintained in a safe place and in appropriate order.
- Timely lab and field reports for water & wastewater systems provided to Head of Laboratories Operations
- Superiors (Head of Laboratories Operations and Manager Water Quality & Treatment) effectively assisted in successfully delivering the following:
- Timely, relevant and compliant reporting delivered
- Executive Management are informed on a timely basis on the following;
- Laboratory Operations and the Compliance with Annual Work Plan.
- Resourcing requirements/challenges faced.
- Any other matter pertaining to relevant WAF goals and Key Performance Measures.
- All internal and external (if any) reporting requirements in relation to the outcomes of this role includes the
- Robust and relevant daily and periodic reports/documents prepared and submitted
- Superiors provided with useful information combined with analysis and interpretation, for the purpose of decision making
- Ad-hoc information request by superiors addressed in a timely manner
- Executive Management are informed on a timely basis on the following;
- Effective development of Human Capital
- Effective oversight and supervision and mentoring of Laboratory staff especially in terms of ISO Standards and ILCP (Inter Laboratory Comparison Programme)
- Training needs for staff effectively monitored in partnership with the Head of Laboratories Operations and appropriately addressed in consultation with the HR Department
- Disciplinary actions carried out in consultation with the Head of Laboratories Operations and HR Department and in full compliance with all relevant policies, legislations and internal requirements.
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Cooperation within the Sampling Team and the relevant lab teams.
- Cooperation across WAF Departments achieved especially with the Environment, Liquid Trade Waste, Rural and Projects.
- Worked collaboratively to achieve the set targets and meets the deadline.
- Any other duty assigned by Head of Laboratories Operations and Manager Water Quality & Treatment completed in a timely manner.
- Organisational Values promoted and demonstrated at all times
- Support of the environment aligning deliverables to organisational values and strategic directions.
- Ensure Organisational values and good corporate and governance practices are complied with in delivering outcomes.
- The Applicant must possess a Degree in Science in Chemistry & Biology or equivalent with at least 3 years of relevant experience in Field Sampling or relevant sampling experience in Water and Wastewater or an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Laboratory Technology with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
- Sound knowledge of water quality monitoring, field sampling and environmental sampling programmes.
- Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, APHA Standard Methods, the Fiji National Drinking Water Quality Standards and the Environment Management Act 2005.
- Ability to supervise Field Technicians, coordinate field sampling programmes and monitor operational performance.
- Ability to operate, calibrate and maintain field sampling equipment and laboratory instruments.
- Proficiency in Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Microsoft Office applications and laboratory reporting systems.
- Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills with the ability to prepare accurate technical reports.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively while providing technical guidance and mentoring to staff.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, confidentiality and commitment to Occupational Health and Safety, quality management and continuous improvement
Interested candidates are advised to apply online and complete the recruitment requirements on the portal. All applications should be received no later than 31st July, 2026
INCOMPLETE & LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.
Operations
Lab
