Laboratory Director

Veolia•East Providence, RI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Laboratory Director administers the implementation of the City Sewer Use Ordinances to regulate the discharge of industrial wastewater into the City sewer system, which may require the industry to pre-treat their wastewater before discharging to the City sewer. This role administers the Industrial Pretreatment Program and supervises the Industrial Pretreatment Technicians (if applicable). The position schedules and manages the compliance inspections and sampling of industrial users (IU). The role manages the efficient operation of the laboratory and lab work including physical, bacteriological, microscopic, organic and inorganic chemical analysis of raw, plant and finished waters to accurately determine their content and assure compliance with company, regulatory and permit requirements. The Laboratory Director prepares Monthly/Quarterly/Annual IP Reports to clients and regulatory agencies (state/EPA), prepares industrial wastewater discharge permits, and prepares IU enforcement actions for implementation by the City. The role evaluates testing and inspection data for compliance, attends IP Audits conducted by regulatory agencies, and supervises the maintenance of IU records and monitoring data. The position keeps abreast of regulatory changes and interprets local, state, and federal regulations and implements the regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in chemistry, biology, environmental science or a closely related field.
Ability to read and interpret City Ordinances, Discharge Permits, State and Federal Codes, Technical Manuals and Journals.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and fundamental mathematics.
Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to grasp mechanical and chemical industrial concepts and processes.
Ability to deal with non-verbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc) in more difficult phases.
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a range of intellectual and practical problems.
Ability to develop proficiency with sophisticated laboratory apparatus and equipment and ability to calibrate instrumentation.
Ability to perform accurate, repeatable work, to correlate data, make logical analysis and interpret laboratory reports and industrial compliance reports.
Proficiency in the use of computer software Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets, email communications.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence and documentation of evidence gathered through facility inspections.
Demonstrated ability to effectively present information and to tactfully respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, industrial facility managers and the general public.
Ability to adhere to Company policies and procedures and demonstrates proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
Must present a professional attitude and appearance at all times.
Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record if performing field work.
Requires close visual and hearing observation.
Constantly uses hands to finger, handle or feel and frequently reaches with hands and arms.
Must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds distances of 10 feet.
Occasional stooping, bending or kneeling, crouching, crawling, climbing, balancing and entering confined spaces.
Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus are special requirements.

Nice To Haves

Preferred qualifying experience may include wastewater operator training/experience and or laboratory training/experience.

Responsibilities

Perform all activities of the IP Technician, including the set up of equipment and instrumentation required for tests, research, or process control following QA procedures.
Manages the Laboratory Quality Assurance Program.
Ensures that consistent quality control and lab procedures are followed.
Responsible for preparing wastewater samples and completing the chain of custody documentation for the contract laboratory regarding compliance testing.
Measures and verifies laboratory performance and ensures the integrity of the data presented to management.
Cleans and makes minor repairs on sampling apparatus and equipment and ensures a high standard of housekeeping, quality control and safety.
Calibrates instrumentation as assigned.
Collects industrial discharge samples for field and laboratory analysis.
Reviews, interprets, and applies local, state and federal regulations applicable to the industrial pretreatment program.
Schedules Significant and Non-significant Industrial User compliance testing and inspections.
Reviews sampling and inspection protocols with IP Technicians and assists IP Technicians in the SIU Records review prior to conducting an industrial facility inspection or sampling event.
Prepares Industrial User Discharge Permits (new user and permit renewals); established Discharge Limits; Best Management Practices and Slug Discharge Requirements.
Meets with industrial users prior to issuance of permit and responds to all user comments and questions.
Distributes the permit issued by the City and prepares the industrial user files.
Coordinates Industrial User Enforcement Actions with IP Technicians and City Representatives and Attorneys.
Prepares the Industrial User Enforcement Documents.
Distributes the City signed Enforcement Orders.
Reports non-conformance events to Project Manager, Lab QA Coordinator and EHS&S QA Manager.
Initiates corrective action immediately to avoid adverse effects on quality.
Establishes standards for sample collection and analyses to determine compliance.
Coordinates the analysis and reporting of Proficiency Testing Samples.
Prepares Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for sample collection and field analysis.
Prepares industrial facility inspection protocols and compliance evaluation of monitoring data.
Responds to and documents any necessary corrective action.
Prepares all regulatory, client requested, and company requested reports and data documentation.
Specifically, the preparation of the State/EPA Annual Industrial Pretreatment Status Report.
Interacts with industry managers to resolve compliance and implementation of the industrial wastewater discharge permits.
Assists in the preparation and adoption of upgrades to the Industrial Pretreatment Program and Local Regulations.
Conducts industrial user compliance reviews for determination of significant non-compliance status; compliance to enforcement orders and tracking of accomplishments and reporting under compliance orders issued by the City.
Reviews current technologies, protocols, regulations and proposed regulations that impact pretreatment program.
Provides training to IP Technicians and schedules outside training for IP Staff.
Reviews IP Technician performance.
Assists in planning and implementation of special projects as needed.