Chemist Supervisor QA/QC Officer

City of Tucson

3d • $29 - $44

About The Position

The Chemist Supervisor QA/QC Officer manages the Tucson Water Quality Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Program, including the laboratory’s quality assurance requirements and the laboratory's certification with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Work is performed under the supervision of the Laboratory Manager. This position exercises supervision over Water Quality Analysts and or Chemists. Essential duties include but are not limited to: Review Contract Laboratory Data - Review all analytical results performed by outside laboratories for correctness and inclusion of required quality control elements, before data is entered into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); review data for correctness after entry into LIMS. Utilize EPA Compliance Monitoring Data Portal - Perform all steps of CMDP process for Drinking Water Compliance data as needed, including final approval of data in LIMS, generation of XML file required for CMDP upload, uploading data to CMDP & initial review, and certification of CMDP data. Maintain QA Manual and other laboratory SOPs - Perform annual and interim revisions of QA Manual to keep it up to date with laboratory personnel, procedures, and policies; perform annual and interim revisions of various QA-section SOPs. Review annual and interim updates of all SOPs generated by laboratory personnel to assure adherence to referenced method requirements. Review Laboratory Corrective Action Reports and in-house Laboratory Data - Review data associated with out-of-control events in the laboratory; determine appropriate data qualifier(s); determine data usability. Perform peer and/or final review of laboratory data when Chemist Supervisor or Chemist is unavailable. Review laboratory chains of custody against LIMS login receipts for errors (final or peer review as needed). Act as Liaison between Laboratory and State Agencies, including Maintaining Laboratory Licensure with ADHS - Act as contact person for laboratory with ADHS and ADEQ if laboratory personnel have method, QC or regulatory questions. Complete and submit annual application for ADHS license renewal, updating methods, instruments and software used in the laboratory as needed, plus notifying ADHS of key personnel changes. Administer Proficiency Testing Studies and Audit Laboratory - Order, login, and distribute ADHS-required semi-annual PT study samples and related materials; review all results; report to required agency; receive Final Report and arrange for make-up PT if any results are unacceptable. Perform internal review of laboratory logbooks for completeness. Perform internal data audits on laboratory-generated data packets. Coordinate official bi-annual ADHS audit required for licensure. Schedule Maintenance and Certification of Laboratory Equipment and Verify Laboratory Balance Calibration - Schedule on-site maintenance and calibration of laboratory autoclave and balances annually. Send out laboratory chart recorders for calibration annually. Send out laboratory NIST thermometers and ASTM 1 weights for calibration/recertification every 5 years. Clean, recalibrate and verify calibration on the three laboratory balances monthly. Manage and supervise unit projects, coordinating and assigning responsibilities, tasks, goals, training, and objectives to ensure smooth operation and completion. Review, verify, and approve employee timecards, ensuring accurate reporting of hours worked, leave usage, and adherence to departmental policies and labor regulations. Analyze processes to identify inefficiencies, communicate employee performance goals and objectives within the unit, and perform annual employee evaluations. Participate in hiring process for staff. Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned. Working Conditions: Mostly office environment. This position will be expected to operate a city vehicle. All duties and responsibilities listed are subject to change.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree
• Experience: Three (3) years of relevant experience
• Driving Requirement: A valid and unrestricted driver’s license with two (2) years of licensed driving is required
• Equivalency: Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or related science
• Master’s degree or Ph.D in related science
• Three (3) or more years working in a licensed Drinking Water Laboratory
• Familiarity with the required Quality Assurance/Quality Control elements within a licensed Drinking Water Laboratory
• Familiarity with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Standard Methods analytical methods
• Familiarity with Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) rules and policies that pertain to a licensed Drinking Water Laboratory
• Familiarity with ADEQ’s Compliance Monitoring Data Portal (CMDP) and Central Data Exchange (CDX)
• Proficiency with MS Office applications and Laboratory Information
• Management System (LIMS)

Responsibilities

• Review Contract Laboratory Data - Review all analytical results performed by outside laboratories for correctness and inclusion of required quality control elements, before data is entered into Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS); review data for correctness after entry into LIMS.
• Utilize EPA Compliance Monitoring Data Portal - Perform all steps of CMDP process for Drinking Water Compliance data as needed, including final approval of data in LIMS, generation of XML file required for CMDP upload, uploading data to CMDP & initial review, and certification of CMDP data.
• Maintain QA Manual and other laboratory SOPs - Perform annual and interim revisions of QA Manual to keep it up to date with laboratory personnel, procedures, and policies; perform annual and interim revisions of various QA-section SOPs. Review annual and interim updates of all SOPs generated by laboratory personnel to assure adherence to referenced method requirements.
• Review Laboratory Corrective Action Reports and in-house Laboratory Data - Review data associated with out-of-control events in the laboratory; determine appropriate data qualifier(s); determine data usability. Perform peer and/or final review of laboratory data when Chemist Supervisor or Chemist is unavailable. Review laboratory chains of custody against LIMS login receipts for errors (final or peer review as needed).
• Act as Liaison between Laboratory and State Agencies, including Maintaining Laboratory Licensure with ADHS - Act as contact person for laboratory with ADHS and ADEQ if laboratory personnel have method, QC or regulatory questions. Complete and submit annual application for ADHS license renewal, updating methods, instruments and software used in the laboratory as needed, plus notifying ADHS of key personnel changes.
• Administer Proficiency Testing Studies and Audit Laboratory - Order, login, and distribute ADHS-required semi-annual PT study samples and related materials; review all results; report to required agency; receive Final Report and arrange for make-up PT if any results are unacceptable. Perform internal review of laboratory logbooks for completeness. Perform internal data audits on laboratory-generated data packets. Coordinate official bi-annual ADHS audit required for licensure.
• Schedule Maintenance and Certification of Laboratory Equipment and Verify Laboratory Balance Calibration - Schedule on-site maintenance and calibration of laboratory autoclave and balances annually. Send out laboratory chart recorders for calibration annually. Send out laboratory NIST thermometers and ASTM 1 weights for calibration/recertification every 5 years. Clean, recalibrate and verify calibration on the three laboratory balances monthly.
• Manage and supervise unit projects, coordinating and assigning responsibilities, tasks, goals, training, and objectives to ensure smooth operation and completion.
• Review, verify, and approve employee timecards, ensuring accurate reporting of hours worked, leave usage, and adherence to departmental policies and labor regulations.
• Analyze processes to identify inefficiencies, communicate employee performance goals and objectives within the unit, and perform annual employee evaluations.
• Participate in hiring process for staff.
• Performs all other duties and tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• The City of Tucson offers a generous benefits package for benefit-eligible positions. The comprehensive, flexible, and affordable coverage is designed to optimize health and well-being, security and future, and peace of mind.
• Benefits begin with medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and FSA coverage, surpassing your standard 401(k) program by offering a rich pension plan plus optional Roth and pretax deferred compensation savings.
• With your well-being in mind, our paid time off program provides new hires with 38 paid days off in the first year of employment, with time off increasing steadily in subsequent years.
• We offer twelve weeks of paid parental leave, paid tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, off- and on-the-job training, and opportunities to forge connections with peers and the community through employee resource groups and paid volunteer hours.
• You can learn more about our benefits at https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Human-Resources/Employee-Benefit-Snapshot.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees