Laboratory Manager

Dublin San Ramon Services District; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The Dublin San Ramon Services District seeks a Laboratory Manager to oversee the Laboratory & Technical Services within the Regulatory Compliance division. You will ensure high-quality analytical work, regulatory compliance, and effective management of technical and quality functions.

Responsibilities include managing the environmental laboratory operations, sustaining ELAP/TNI accreditation, budgeting, policy development, and coordinating with leadership and external agencies.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a California ELAP/TNI accredited laboratory.
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting GC/MS, ICP/MS, or IC.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience with staff development and teamwork.
• Strong communication skills to convey technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Collaborating across teams and coordinating with regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders.
• CWEA CA-NV AWWA Lab Analyst/Water Quality Analyst Level IV certification desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operations of the environmental laboratory and ensure compliance with ELAP/TNI standards and regulatory programs.
• Supervise laboratory staff and maintain impartial oversight between technical and quality functions.
• Develop and administer the laboratory budget and manage resources for equipment and supplies.
• Maintain and improve laboratory policies, procedures, and the Chemical Hygiene Plan; monitor new developments in standards and quality practices.
• Direct regulatory reporting, data review, LIMS management, and communication with leadership and external agencies.
• Provide technical assistance and analytical expertise to Operations staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Staff development

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, or related field

Tools

GC/MS

ICP/MS

IC

LIMS

Job description

The Dublin San Ramon Service District is currently recruiting to fill one regular, full-time Laboratory Manager to oversee the Laboratory & Technical Services section of the Regulatory Compliance division. The Laboratory Manager provides oversight for the District's environmental laboratory, ensuring high-quality analytical work, regulatory compliance, and effective management of technical and quality functions. Primary responsibilities of the Laboratory Manager include:

• Managing all operations of the District's environmental laboratory, ensuring compliance with ELAP/TNI standards and regulatory program requirements (NPDES, biosolids, drinking water, recycled water) and maintaining the District's ELAP accreditation.
• Overseeing laboratory staff and maintaining impartial oversight between the technical and quality functions of the laboratory.
• Developing and administering the laboratory budget and managing resources to support equipment, supplies, and instrumentation needs.
• Maintaining and improving laboratory policies, procedures, and the Chemical Hygiene Plan; monitoring and implementing new developments in TNI standards, laboratory regulations, and quality practices.
• Directing regulatory reporting, data review, LIMS management, and coordinated communication with District leadership, other divisions, and outside agencies.
• Providing technical assistance and analytical expertise to Operations staff.

Participation in the District's Telework Programmay be made available for this position after three (3) months of employment (for employees newly hired to the District).If telework is offered and/or made available for this position,it will be for no more than two (2) days per week (Monday and/or Friday only)and would apply to a new hire or promotional candidate, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the District's Telework Program.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate for the Laboratory Manager will have demonstrated the following:

• Experience managing a California ELAP/TNI accredited laboratory.
• Hands-on experience operating and troubleshooting advanced analytical instrumentation such as GC/MS, ICP/MS, or IC.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience with a commitment to staff development and teamwork.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Effective at collaborating across teams and maintaining strong relationships with regulatory agencies and internal stakeholders.
• Possession of a Laboratory Analyst/Water Quality Analyst Level IV certification from CWEA or CA-NV AWWA is desirable.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED and EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Operations - Regulatory. Exercises direction over professional staff, and direct supervision over technical staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a mid-management classification responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, and evaluating all activities of the Laboratory and Technical Services section, including maintaining impartial oversight between the technical and quality functions of the laboratory. The classification is intentionally structured to ensure independent decision-making, prevent conflicts of interest, and uphold the integrity of both operational and quality-system activities. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and procedures for assigned programs, budget administration and reporting, and program evaluation. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

This class is distinguished from the Deputy Director of Operations Regulatory in that the latter has overall management responsibility for the Regulatory Compliance Division.

For information on the essential functions and duties of the position, please view the .

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, or a closely related field

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in wastewater and industrial laboratory testing, analysis, and control, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a Class C Driver's License required by the State of California, Department of Motor Vehicles, to perform the duties of the position. Continued maintenance of said driver's license in compliance with established District vehicle operation standards, and the ability to be insured for the operation of a vehicle/District vehicle in accordance with the terms and conditions of the District's insurance program are conditions of continuing employment. The CSRMA driving standards are included herein by reference.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Dublin San Ramon Services District employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the District may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property. Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency. If a “Local Emergency” is declared during the employee’s shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community. If a “Local Emergency” is declared outside of the employee’s shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

The selection process may consist of an evaluation of the applicant's qualifications, supplemental questionnaire, appraisal board interview, written examination, practical exercise and/or internal Department interviews, reference check, and a review of prior performance evaluations. Upon completion of the selection process, an offer of employment may be conditionally based upon the successful completion of a criminal background check, credit check, and pre-employment medical exam.

RECRUITMENT TIMELINE

Application Deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026,at 5:00 p.m.
Appraisal Board Interview (virtual): Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Hiring Interview (in-person): Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
All dates are subject to change.