Laboratory Supervisor

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) seeks a Laboratory Supervisor to lead the Water Quality Protection Division’s analytical operations. You will allocate staff, oversee budgets, and ensure data quality and regulatory compliance for environmental samples.

Responsibilities include prioritizing work, supervising staff, coordinating resources, and maintaining testing standards. Weekend/on-call coverage and strong communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biology, or a related field.
• Four years of job-related experience (advanced degrees considered).
• Two years of experience analyzing environmental samples.
• Previous supervisory experience or leadership training.

Responsibilities

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with MMSD policies and applicable laws.
• Supervise laboratory staff to ensure compliance in performing, analyzing, and logging of collected samples.
• Ensure data reported is of known and documented quality and in compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Review laboratory-generated data and assessment reports to recognize trends and issues.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership experience

Communication

Data analysis

Education

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

Four years of job-related experience

Two years of experience analyzing environmental samples

Tools

Laboratory software

Job description

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is a regional governmental agency that serves 1.1 million people in the greater Milwaukee area. MMSD provides water reclamation, flood management, and green infrastructure services for our community. Our mission is to protect public health and the environment through world-class, cost-effective water resource management, leadership, and partnership. Join our diverse team and support your community while protecting our environment.

MMSD is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Laboratory Supervisor in the Water Quality Protection Division. Reporting to the Laboratory Manager, you will provide the proper allocation of staff and resources to accomplish all laboratory analyses and operations. You will be responsible for providing scientifically valid and defensible analytical data, of known and documented quality, in response to regulatory requirements and to provide an accurate measure of how well MMSD is achieving its mission.

• Prioritize, schedule, and delegate work assignments. Supervise laboratory staff to ensure compliance in performing, analyzing, and logging of collected samples.
• Ensure the quality of the data reported is documented and in compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Secure the necessary resources such as equipment and supplies. Ensure that facilities are adequate and maintained to meet testing requirements.
• Review laboratory-generated data and assessment reports to recognize trends, qualifiers, or indicators of technical or quality issues and take action to resolve them.
• Implement and foster a system of cross-training for coverage in all assigned areas, weekend and holiday coverage, and special needs. Ensure team members are adequately trained and have demonstrated capabilities in the activities for which they are responsible and that such demonstration is documented.
• Determine laboratory needs, oversee purchase orders and vendor accounts, and research the economic and analytical requirements needed for the annual laboratory budget.
• Complete special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, microbiology, biology, or a related field.
• Four years of job-related experience (advanced education degrees will be considered in lieu of experience).
• Two years of experience analyzing environmental samples.
• Previous supervisory experience, leadership training, or transferable operational management skills.
• Knowledge of laboratory certification requirements from regulatory agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and accreditation through the National Environmental Laboratories Accreditation Program (NELAP).
• High degree of interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to resolve conflict.
• Ability to understand laboratory analytical methods, statistics, and complex reporting.
• Computer software proficiency.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with MMSD policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

The position requires being on call during selected weekends and holidays.

Physical Requirements:

• This work requires occasional exertion of up to 25 lbs. of force.
• Work regularly requires using hands. Work frequently requires sitting, speaking, and hearing. Work occasionally requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, kneeling or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, and repetitive motions.

Sensory Requirements:

• Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word and hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating machinery, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Environmental Exposures:

• Work frequently requires exposure to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. Work occasionally requires exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), to the risk of electrical shock, and to bloodborne pathogens.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location.

Requires the use of safety glasses and other personal protective equipment as dictated by the nature of work being performed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

MMSD is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to being equitable and fair in providing access to opportunities for all!

MMSD is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.