Position Title
REF 1789: Technical Officer (Chemistry)
About Our Organisation

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.

Position Objective

The Technical Officer – Chemistry is responsible for coordinating and supervising chemical laboratory operations within the National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL), including the planning, allocation and execution of chemical analysis for drinking water, wastewater, trade waste and environmental samples in accordance with WAF Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ISO/IEC 17025:2017, APHA Standard Methods and other applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. The position supports the Head of Laboratory Operations and the Manager – Water Quality & Treatment by ensuring the effective implementation of laboratory work programmes, maintaining laboratory quality management systems, supervising laboratory staff and delivering accurate and timely laboratory results that support regulatory compliance, operational decision-making, public health and environmental protection. The position reports to the Head of Laboratory Operations.

Key Accountabilities
  1. 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.
    • Effective leadership of a team of Laboratory Analyst and 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
      • Ensure laboratory activities comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements, including method validation and verification, Measurement uncertainty estimation, Equipment calibration and maintenance. Quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA)
      • Quality and timely analysis on all water, wastewater, environmental completed and water samples received as allocated.
      • Coordinate and participate in Inter Laboratory Comparison Programmes or Proficiency Testing schemes. Review performance results and investigate non-conformities. Implement corrective and preventive actions. Maintain records of ILCP performance and ensure continuous improvement
      • Ensure all non-conformance work documented, reported to the Head of Laboratory Operations and successfully addressed
      • Effective and timely liaison with Bio-security Authority of Fiji and Fiji Medicine Regulatory Authority for permits to import lab consumables and reagents for overseas suppliers within the required timelines ensured
      • Work schedules for direct reports (from Lab Technicians) to be 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 delivered.
      • Timely receipts of external customer samples, with proper records and details as per the requirements of sample receipt and the chain of custody process at the Laboratory
    • Receiving, labelling and safely storing samples to be tested.
    • Determining and performing tests needed for the analysis and report.
    • Recording tests and analyses and then reporting the results 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.
    • Maintaining equipment records and daily work logs and oversee operation, calibration, and maintenance of laboratory instruments such as:  Spectrophotometers (UV-Vis) pH, EC, and DO meters TOC analyzers, Titration systems. Liaise with suppliers and service providers for repairs and servicing.
    • Ensure proper calibration schedules are maintained. Cleaning and maintaining lab equipment, including recalibration of equipment.
    • 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 Laboratory Reports for Water & Wastewater provided to Head of Laboratory Operations
  2. Timely, relevant and compliant reporting delivered
    • Executive management are informed on a timely basis on the following
      • Laboratory Operations Compliance with Annual Work Plan
      • Resourcing requirements/challenges
      • 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
      • 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
  3. Effective development of human capital
    • Effective oversight and supervision and mentoring of Laboratory Chemistry staff especially in terms of ISO Standards and ILCP (Inter Laboratory Comparison Programme) – Proficiency Testing
    • 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
Qualification and Experience Requirement
  • The Applicant must possess a Degree in Science in Chemistry & Biology or equivalent with at least 3 years of relevant experience in an ISO Accredited Lab or relevant Chemistry Background in Water and Wastewater or an Advanced Diploma in Industrial Laboratory Technology with at least 5 years of relevant experience
Skills and Abilities
  • Sound knowledge of laboratory operations, water and wastewater chemistry and analytical testing methods.
  • 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 laboratory staff, coordinate work programmes and monitor laboratory performance.
  • Ability to operate, calibrate and maintain laboratory instruments and analytical equipment.
  • 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.
How To Apply For Position

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.

Employment Type
Established
SBU

Operations

Sub-Section

Lab

Salary Scale
$35,200.00-$44,000.00 Per year
Job Location
National Water Quality Lab, Kinoya
Vacancy Valid Till
July 31, 2026
APPLY NOW
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Position: REF 1789: Technical Officer (Chemistry)

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