Laboratory Supervisor

 


THE JOB & IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Lab Supervisor will provide technical guidance, mentorship, and development for their team, and take ownership of the lab’s annual accreditation process with ELAP and TNI. With a focus on strategic planning and continuous improvement, this role will coordinate the laboratory’s workflow, administer the budget, and work schedule, and ensure efficient operations. This role will involve liaising with other M1W departments, executive leadership, regulatory agencies and the public, which will require excellent communication skills and the ability to effectively convey technical information to a variety of audiences. 
 
 The ideal candidate will be a detailed, analytical, and hands-on leader, with an enthusiasm for learning and teaching others. Familiarity with wastewater or potable water systems is ideal, as is a strong background in environmental compliance. M1W cultivates a work environment that prioritizes collaboration, integrity, and humility; these values, as well as an innovative and forward-thinking mindset, are key to success. The Lab Supervisor should also be transparent, approachable, personable, and eager to act as a resource for their team.

DEFINITION
Under general direction, provides work direction and supervision to laboratory staff including scheduling, assigning, training, and planning work activities; performs a variety of technical and administrative support functions; serves as principal analyst; assists with and perform the most difficult and complex duties; performs other job- related duties as required.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the supervisory-level class in the laboratory series that supervises the day-to-day functions of all laboratory procedures, and directs laboratory staff to abide by the quality control and assurance requirements.  Responsibilities include coordinating with various departments the work direction of the laboratory staff engaged in sampling of water, wastewater, laboratory analysis, quality assurance and compliance, and overall planning, organizing, scheduling, and assigning of work to laboratory staff.  This class is distinguished from the Assistant General Manager in that the latter has overall responsibility for all functions of the Operations, Maintenance and Environmental Services departments and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

• Plans, supervises, and oversees the daily functions and activities of the Agency’s Laboratory; provides work direction, supervision, support, and guidance to laboratory personnel to ensure work meets Agency objectives and federal and state requirements.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Recommends and administers department policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory, and legal requirements are met.
• Collaborates with the Operations Manager to ensure successful permit monitoring, compliance and reporting activities for all Agency facilities.
• Ensures state and county required analyses are performed in accordance with required schedules.
• Ensures data generated for permit compliance purposes is legally defensible.
• Reviews and interprets both special and standard laboratory analysis on all wastewater treatment and plant processes through advanced water treatment, recycled water quality, pathogen food safety testing, industrial waste discharge compliance and special studies.
• Oversees the laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control program, ranging from sampling procedures through report submittal.
• Oversees and ensures ELAP Certification #1195 and serves as the Agency’s ELAP Technical Manager with the SWRCB.
• Evaluates trends and predicts outcomes for the interpretation of laboratory analyses.
• Makes recommendations from the interpretation of laboratory analyses on plant process control changes, and industrial and commercial user discharge fees.
• Collaborates with Operations to implement studies, programs, and tests to improve process performance, operating cost reduction, and to improve overall water quality.
• Prepares and submits various reports, statements, and projections. Coordinates, oversees, and participates in the preparation of information related to areas of assignment for Agency management, Board of Directors, employees, and other government agencies.
• Attends staff and Board of Director meetings to provide information, as needed.
• Establishes employee performance standards, monitors performance, and develops performance improvement plans, when warranted.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department’s annual budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments, as necessary.
• Responds to complex and difficult complaints and/or information requests from citizens, other agencies, Agency employees and officials.
• Serves as Agency representative on various outside committees and groups including those discussing technical and policy matters.
• Provides and coordinates training for assigned personnel on standard laboratory analytical procedures.
• Serves as liaison to and coordinates services with other plant staff, agencies, and outside groups.
• Oversees purchase, acquisition, and inventory control of laboratory supplies, materials, and equipment.
• Oversees and coordinates the function of the laboratory information management system.
• Keeps records and facilitates payment authorizations for laboratory purchases.
• Prepares technical reports and correspondence including those to regulatory agencies.
• Stays current with technology and regulatory developments as they relate to wastewater and water treatment and analysis.
• Performs research and recommends new laboratory techniques and procedures.
• Prepares laboratory procedures and standards including the development of laboratory manuals.
• Ensures required preventive maintenance and repairs are completed.
• May be required to respond to emergency calls.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods, procedures, techniques, and equipment of chemical, biological, bio-chemical, physical, and instrumental laboratory analyses.
• ELAP Certification Requirements.
• Chemical and microbiological characteristics of water and wastewater.
• Federal Environmental Protection Agency, State Department of Health, and State Water Resources quality control standards regarding water and wastewater.
• Practices of researching laboratory issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Laboratory and analytical methods for the examination of water and wastewater.
• Principles and practices of wastewater through advanced water treatment plant operations.
• Repair, maintenance, and adjustment procedures for laboratory testing and analysis equipment.
• Safe work practices.
• Principles of supervision, training, and work scheduling.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and Agency staff, in person and over the telephone. 
• Techniques of advanced arithmetic and statistics.

Ability to:

• Perform routine laboratory responsibilities, such as sample collection, sample preparation, and sample analysis.
• Perform complex mathematical calculations.
• Interpret laboratory analyses, comprehend technical reports, evaluate complex issues, and draw sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Serve as technical advisor on laboratory matters, effectively representing the Agency with the public, businesses, community organizations and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure ELAP certification requirements are met.
• Apply problem solving, prioritizing, assimilating information, and formulating timely decisions.
• Follow oral and written instruction.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and perform the full range of laboratory functions.
• Provide work direction, training, and coaching for laboratory staff.
• Oversee and perform a wide range of laboratory testing and analysis work at wastewater treatment facilities.
• Assist in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures.
• Develop and administer comprehensive sampling and monitoring system to include sampling requirements resulting from an SSO.
• Maintain manual and automatic logs, records, reports, and charts.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and policies.
• Conduct research and recommend application of evolving laboratory equipment, techniques, and methods.
• Certify the accuracy of the work and testify as an expert witness.
• Oversee and participate in the preparation and dissemination of technical and statistical documents and reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Make presentations before various groups.
• Operate computer terminal and related software.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Effectively communicate in person, in virtual meetings, over the telephone, and in writing; prepare clear and accurate letters, reports, and training material for various audiences.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Pass Agency physical examination, which may include pre-employment assessment of safe work capacity in comparison to the essential job functions for the position.
  
  

Education and Experience:
Any combination of experience and education/training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental engineering, biochemistry, or a closely related field and four years progressively responsible laboratory experience performing technical analysis work, including a minimum of two years of supervisory and administrative experience. Two to three years of experience in water or wastewater field are preferred. 

Licenses or Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Driver’s license and be insurable with the Agency’s insurance at the standard rate and continue to meet the established driving standards as a condition of employment for this position.
• Possession of a Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association and continued maintenance of a valid certificate as a condition of employment for this position with the ability to obtain Grade IV within 12 months after completion of probation.
• Persons employed in this classification are required to participate in Agency provided training to acquire basic First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificates during the initial 12 months of employment and continued maintenance of valid certificates as a condition of employment for this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standing & Walking - Standing for extended periods of time and/or walking distances (1 or more miles): 30 minutes up to 5 hours per day.
• Lifting - Ability to safely lift 60 pounds to waist level: this requirement includes bending at knees to facilitate proper lifting techniques: 1 minute up to 15 minutes per day.
• Manual Dexterity - The ability to perform multiple work activities requiring a significant level of physical and mental coordination, such as, repair an calibration of instruments, computer keyboard: 1 hour up to 8 hours per day.
• Visual - Acuity for reading literature and computer screens; ability to detect subtle color changes which are encountered in routine chemical analyses: 30 minutes up to 8 hours per day.
• Reflexes - Ability to quickly and automatically respond to emergency and safety situations: 1 minute up to 2 hours per day.
• Ability to don and carry on back a self-contained breathing apparatus weighing up to 45 pounds for short periods of 0 minutes up to 30 minutes per day.

M1W VALUES

• Accountability - I take ownership of my job as demonstrated through my words, actions, and attitude.
• Integrity – I am guided by strong ethics and consistently do the right thing.
• Respect – My actions demonstrate that I care about the well-being of others, the organization, and the environment.
• Transparency – My communication and actions are honest, complete, timely and open to public review.
• Collaboration – I value and seek diverse input to optimize opportunities and solutions.

Salary : $70 - $89