Laboratory Supervisor

Job Description

Job Description

All applicants must apply online at www.bjwsa.org / jobs.

SUMMARY : Under minimal supervision, performs duties related to the operation of the water and wastewater laboratory according to South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) regulations. Directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates laboratory activities and operations. Employee coordinates lab activities with other departments / divisions, outside agencies, and the general public and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance. Performs an extensive range of analytical tests for the chemical and biological analysis of water and wastewater.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include but are not limited to :

• Ensures safety policies and procedures are completely implemented, enforces these policies and procedures and makes recommendations for change when necessary.
• Performs various supervisory duties including scheduling, assigning, counseling, appraising, training, and providing recommendations for disciplinary action and / or discharge.
• Utilizes a variety of laboratory instruments and equipment such as GC / MS, AA, FlowCam, automated chemical analyzers, balances, ovens, spectrophotometers, DO, conductivity meters, pH meters, and ISE meters.
• Performs daily routine calibrations and preventive maintenance of lab equipment.
• Performs a variety of chemical and biological analyses for both water and wastewater treatment.
• Maintains adequate quality control and quality assurance program for all parameters which includes method blanks, laboratory fortified blanks, laboratory fortified matrixes, laboratory fortified matrix duplicates, and method detection levels.
• Prepares reagents, chemicals, forms, and sample containers used for various analyses and calibrations utilized by lab staff, contract laboratories, and water / wastewater operators.
• Maintain continuing demonstration of capability requirements (CDOC) for lab certification by completing and passing proficiency tests (PT) yearly.
• Ensures analyses are performed within holding times and confirms accuracy of results.
• Maintains appropriate bench sheets for all laboratory analyses performed.
• Uses various data programs to record, analyze and process lab data such as, Hach WIMS, Tracefinder, Xcalibur, ISQ Dashboard, visual spreadsheet 4.0, WinLab32, Gallery 5.1A, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
• Provide data results used to prepare a variety of reports including biological reports, SCDES Ground Water Monitoring Reports, SCDES Discharge Monitoring Reports, and SCDES Monthly Operating Reports.
• Drives to multiple groundwater monitoring well sites and treatment plants to collect water samples.
• Provide technical and administrative support to the Laboratory and Water Quality Manager in managing the day to day operations of the Authority’s water and wastewater laboratories.
• Performs other related duties as required within the scope of their job.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE : Requires a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology or related field. Minimum of three years of experience working in an environmental laboratory required. Prefer one year of supervisory experience. Must possess strong writing and verbal communication skills. Computer skills in word processing and spreadsheet software (prefer Word and Excel), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) administration, advanced laboratory instrumentation skills, (such as TOC analyzer, Atomic Absorption and GC Mass Spectrophotometer) required. The ability to read, write and perform basic statistical calculations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. Must possess South Carolina Class “B” Water Treatment Operator, Class “B” Water Distribution, and Class “B” Biological Wastewater Operator Certifications or obtain within 3 years of hire.

Data Conception : Requires the ability to compare and / or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications : Requires the ability of speaking and / or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes gathering information for supervisor as well as receiving assignments and / or directions from supervisor. Also includes providing information concerning laboratory activities to staff members.

Language Ability : Requires ability to read a variety of methods, handbooks, manuals, regulations, charts, etc. Requires the ability to prepare routine reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with clarity, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence : Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written information. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons from a variety of educational backgrounds using technical terminology as required.

Numerical Aptitude : Requires the ability to accurately utilize mathematical formulas, add and subtract totals, multiply and divide, determine percentages, decimals, time and weight.

Form / Spatial Aptitude : Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually reads various information.

Motor Coordination : Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in operating job-related equipment and motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity : Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, tools, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye / hand / foot coordination.

Color Discrimination : Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.

Interpersonal Temperament Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a slight degree and to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.

Physical Communications : Requires the ability to talk and / or hear : (talking : expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing : perceiving nature of sounds by ear).

All applicants must apply online at www.bjwsa.org / jobs.