Laboratory Supervisor

City of Modesto; Modesto (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's 

5% Education Incentive - Master's 

Job summary

The City of Modesto is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor to lead the Wastewater team, directing staff, and ensuring compliance with federal and state mandates, QA/QC, and environmental monitoring for storm water, pretreatment, and industrial discharges.

The role emphasizes budgeting, staff development, accreditation readiness, client coordination, safety, and public communication, with credentials like Grade II/III certificates and a California driver’s license required within set timelines.

Qualifications

• Three years of laboratory experience with supervisory responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or physical sciences.
• Must obtain California driver’s license and lab certificates within set timelines.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise laboratory staff and operations.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state mandates and QA/QC for water/industrial discharges.
• Coordinate with Water Services Division and clients for monitoring, sampling, and reporting.
• Develop budgets and monitor expenditures.
• Oversee accreditation of the laboratory for regulatory submission.
• Meet with City groups to discuss laboratory results.

Skills

Laboratory analysis

Environmental monitoring

Supervision

Safety programs

Budget monitoring

Communication

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field

Tools

Word processing / Spreadsheets / Databases

Job description

Seeking highly qualified and skilled Laboratory Supervisor to join our Wastewater team

Upcoming Salary Increases and Incentives

• 2.5% Education Incentive - Bachelor's Degree
• 5% Education Incentive - Master's Degree

The Laboratory Supervisor is responsible to plan, organize, direct, and supervise staff and operations in support of the City’s Laboratory and Environmental Monitoring Program; to maintain the consistency of the City’s laboratory and manage compliance with federal and state mandates, approved standards, and quality assurance and control pertaining to storm water and pretreatment sampling, as well as industrial discharges into the City’s wastewater collection system; and to direct the monitoring, sampling, and record keeping associated with compliance with discharge permits.

The City of Modesto is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusion. A City application is required, including Supplemental Questionnaire. The City of Modesto does not sponsor H-1B Visas. Salary offered depends on candidate’s experience.

Essential Functions

Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for laboratory analysis and program administration; implement policies and procedures.

Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of staff involved in the Industrial and Water Quality Control sampling and testing programs in accordance with regulations, standards, and quality assurance requirements.

Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.

Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare costs estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications; monitor and control expenditures.

Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.

Recommend the purchase of additional laboratory equipment based on cost effectiveness or the need to meet regulatory requirements.

Coordinate with the Water Services Division and other existing clients to ensure client monitoring, sampling, testing, and reporting needs are being met.

Oversee development and accreditation of the laboratory for submission to Federal and State regulatory agencies associated with programs.

Monitor and coordinate contractual service activities related to sampling activities associated with effluent discharges, storm water, and pretreatment activities.

Meet with various City and community groups and committees to discuss laboratory results associated with monitoring issues.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

Observe and maintain a safe working environment in compliance with established safety programs and procedures.

Marginal Functions

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of

Principles and practices of water and waste water pretreatment, sampling, and testing; approved related laboratory practices and procedures.

Equipment, tools, and materials used in laboratory and environmental monitoring programs.

Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Principles and practices of budget monitoring.

Principles and practices of safety management.

Program planning and development methods and techniques.

Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.

Chemical, biological, physical, and environmental sciences.

Principles and practices of environmental sampling and testing.

Functions and operations of federal and state environmental health and regulatory agencies.

Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to

Organize, implement, and direct laboratory and environmental monitoring programs and staff to ensure compliance with federal and state programs.

Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.

Learn the policies and procedures of the City’s Environmental Compliance Programs.

Interpret, explain, and apply City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned budget.

Analyze and interpret environmental and laboratory data to reach valid conclusions.

Operate technical equipment in the performance of laboratory sampling, testing, and environmental monitoring.

Effectively represent the Laboratory and Environmental Services Section of the Wastewater Services Division in contacts with the public, businesses, engineers, architects, and other City staff.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

Three years of increasingly responsible experience performing laboratory analyses and/or a variety of laboratory work with emphasis on environmental monitoring, sampling, and analysis of water, wastewater, or other closely related environmental samples, including one year of supervisory responsibility.

Training

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, biology, environmental science, physical sciences, or a related field.

License or Certificate

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.

Must obtain a valid Grade II Laboratory Analyst Certificate as issued by the California Water Environmental Association, within two and a half years of appointment.

Must obtain a valid Grade III Laboratory Analyst Certificate as issued by the California Water Environmental Association, within four years of appointment.

Must complete hazardous material forty (40) hour First Responder Training, as prescribed by the State Office of Emergency Services within two years of appointment.

Failure to obtain any of the required licenses/certificates within the prescribed time may result in release from probation or termination.

Mobility

frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending, kneeling or squatting. Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds. Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work, color and depth vision. Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching. Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone. Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone. Environmental: frequent exposure to noise; frequent exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed primarily in an indoor laboratory environment, but duties are frequently performed in an outdoor environment with some exposure to year-round weather conditions. May be subject to indoor laboratory equipment or field noise. Work frequently involves offsite and/or remote locations. Positions may require occasional overtime and weekend work and travel is rare.