Wastewater Laboratory Supervisor

City of Redding•Redding, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under direction of the Municipal Utilities Manager, plan, direct, and supervise all functions of the Wastewater environmental services laboratory(ies). Exercise actual day-to-day supervision of laboratory operations including the analysis of water, wastewater, stormwater and related materials. Ensure sampling, monitoring and testing comply with city, state, and federal requirements for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. This position serves as the “Technical Manager”, “Laboratory Director” and/or “Quality Assurance/Quality Control Officer” for ensuring compliance with the State of California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards. Incumbents assigned to this classification are capable of supervising lab staff performing advanced journey level work in chemical, biological, and bacteriological analysis of wastewater and related solids and liquids in support of efficient operation of water and wastewater treatment operations. Provide overall supervision and management of all aspects of the laboratory(ies). Individuals working in this classification are expected to ensure compliance with all requirements of local, state and federal law pertaining to the operations of an environmental services laboratory.

Requirements

Knowledge of physical plant characteristics, seasonal changes in treatment system operation and available options in process operations
Knowledge of steps to be taken to effectively communicate all requirements (and safety hazards) to operations staff
Knowledge of The Clean Water Act (and amendments) and applicable EPA and state regulations
Knowledge of safety procedures surrounding the handling of reagents and chemicals and laboratory glassware
Knowledge of operating principles of analytical instrumentation spectrophotometers, pH meters, D.O. meters, etc.
Knowledge of State Laboratory Accreditation procedures and required records
Capability of evaluating the analytical data from procedures using such instrumentation
Knowledge of principles of personnel supervision and training
Knowledge of chemical and microbiology as applied in a water and wastewater treatment laboratory
Knowledge of methods, techniques and software for advanced data manipulation and analysis used in quantitative and statistical analysis of laboratory data
Ability to interact effectively with the public and employees
Ability to execute calculations accurately; recognize treatment process efficiency or problems by observation of physical properties and/or chemical examination
Ability to operate appropriate safety equipment
Ability to recognize health and safety hazards connected with plant operations and maintenance
Ability to set up and maintain California ELAP including an acceptable QA/QC program
Ability to manage data and compliance forms
Ability to supervise, direct, train and oversee the work of laboratory personnel
Ability to provide effective leadership
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Ability to prepare a wide variety of reports and records
Ability to perform complex chemical and biological tests on treated and polluted water, potable water, and domestic wastewater and related materials
Ability to analyze and interpret laboratory test results, understanding nuances of testing protocols upon results
Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree in Biology, Chemistry or related Physical Science
Four years progressive relevant experience working in an accredited environmental laboratory performing routine and advanced laboratory analysis, including detailed testing of water or wastewater
Possession of the appropriate California driver's license, or the ability to acquire one within ten days of appointment
EITHER A baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering; and three (3) years' experience in the analysis of chemical, biological, or microbiological samples in an environmental laboratory, prior to being designated Technical Manager, subject to the following allowances: - A master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience; - A doctorate in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
OR An employee of a drinking water or wastewater treatment facility, who holds a valid CWEA Laboratory Analyst certification or CA-NV/AWWA Water Quality Analyst certification (Grade III or IV), shall be deemed to meet the qualifications of Technical Manager if the grade of certification has educational and experience requirements appropriate to the scope of analytical testing in the facility's laboratory.
OR An individual who has continuously held the position of Technical Manager at an environmental testing laboratory since the laboratory was first accredited, provided that the accreditation date was on or before December 31, 1994; and a director of a public health laboratory, pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 101150 and 101160.

Responsibilities

Coordinate various laboratory administrative functions
Monitor the ELAP certification
Ensure compliance with State Water Resources Control Board requirements to maintain laboratory certification
Develop, revise and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program
Communicate regularly with various regulatory agencies
Oversee and perform routine and advanced laboratory analysis, including detailed testing of wastewater to ensure meeting discharge requirement for NPDES permit
Conduct and coordinate a variety of special tests, studies, projects and research
Collect, analyze and summarize data
Identify problems regarding drinking water, wastewater and biosolids
Prepare comprehensive reports on findings
Provide recommendations related to implementation of solutions for compliance with regulations
Conduct a variety of chemical and bacteriological tests to determine composition and disposition of wastewater components
Prepare, review, and/or verify a variety of records and reports, including the NPDES permit and other regulatory requirements, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control records required for State Laboratory accreditation
Manage and participate in the quality assurance programs
Develop and implement new methods for laboratory analysis consistent with EPA guidelines and the Manual of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater
Develop and maintain SOPs and CHP
Conduct oral/written presentations to City staff and the public
Maintain test equipment and laboratory facilities
Order supplies and minor testing equipment
Operate a variety of equipment, such as atomic absorption spectrophotometer, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, and turbidimeters
Assist other departments with testing when requested
Plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, train, review and oversee the work of assigned laboratory staff
Effectively operate and maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software to ensure data quality, retention and adherence to all regulatory record keeping and chain of custody requirements
Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job classification