Laboratory Supervisor

City of Thousand Oaks; Thousand Oaks (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Thousand Oaks is seeking a Laboratory Supervisor for the Wastewater Treatment Laboratory Division. The role oversees daily lab operations, complex analyses of drinking water and wastewater, and compliance with environmental laws and permit requirements.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and experience managing laboratory quality systems, reporting, and coordination with agencies and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related field.
• Six years of responsible chemical, environmental, or biological laboratory experience with analyses in drinking water or wastewater; includes 2 years of supervisory responsibility.
• Experience maintaining laboratory accreditation and complying with discharge permit regulations.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and evaluates laboratory staff and daily operations.
• Oversees chemical, bacteriological, and physical testing for drinking water and wastewater processes.
• Maintains accreditation and compliance with discharge permits and Quality Manual requirements.
• Directs quality assurance/quality control programs and validates laboratory data.
• Prepares technical reports, permit applications, and regulatory documentation.
• Coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, City staff, and the public.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Laboratory management

Data analysis

Communication

Quality Assurance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science

Tools

LIMS

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

• Leadership Opportunity: Lead and mentor a skilled laboratory team supporting critical water and wastewater operations while maintaining compliance with the facility’s discharge permit and laboratory certification
• Meaningful Public Impact: Help protect public health and the environment through laboratory analyses and oversight of regulatory monitoring and reporting requirements
• Advanced Technical Work: Oversee complex laboratory testing using sophisticated instrumentation and modern environmental laboratory analytical practices
• Professional Development: Stay current with evolving environmental regulations, laboratory accreditation standards, and industry innovations

The City has an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Supervisor within the Wastewater Treatment Laboratory Division of the Public Works Department. Under direction, the Laboratory Supervisor oversees the daily operations of an environmental laboratory fully accredited to TNI-2 standards by the State of California’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. This position supervises laboratory staff performing complex chemical, bacteriological, and physical analyses of both drinking and wastewater while ensuring compliance with environmental laws, discharge permit regulations, and quality standards.

The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills, along with extensive technical knowledge in environmental laboratory operations, quality management systems, and wastewater treatment processes. The successful candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, a commitment to safety and customer service, and the ability to coordinate effectively with regulatory agencies, consultants, City staff, and the public.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and evaluates laboratory staff and daily laboratory operations
• Oversees complex chemical, bacteriological, and physical testing related to drinking water and wastewater treatment processes
• Maintains laboratory accreditation and ensures compliance with discharge permit regulations and internal requirements of the laboratory’s Quality Manual
• Directs quality assurance and quality control programs and validates laboratory data
• Prepares technical reports, permit applications, and regulatory documentation
• Monitors treatment plant efficiency and provides data to Operations staff for process adjustments
• Participates in budgeting, resource planning, and special environmental studies
• Coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, City staff, and the public regarding laboratory operations and compliance activities

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS

• Strong leadership, communication, and customer service skills with the ability to effectively supervise staff and collaborate with regulatory agencies, consultants, and City personnel
• Extensive knowledge of environmental laboratory operations, wastewater treatment processes, and applicable environmental laws and regulations
• Experience overseeing complex chemical, bacteriological, and physical analyses using advanced laboratory instrumentation
• The ability to develop and manage the laboratory’s Quality Management System as outlined in the Manual while maintaining laboratory accreditation standards
• Experience preparing technical reports, regulatory documentation, permit applications, and environmental compliance records
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, oversee laboratory operations, and support departmental goals and objectives
• Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, permit compliance requirements, and modern trends in environmental laboratory practices
• Experience supervising, training, mentoring, and evaluating technical laboratory staff in a collaborative, high-performing work environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and laboratory data management systems

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or a related field
• Six years of responsible chemical, environmental, or biological laboratory experience involving chemical, bacteriological, and physical testing analyses typically performed in a wastewater treatment laboratory. 2 years of supervisory responsibility. Other qualifications in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Section 64812.00 (ELAP modified) are required.
• Experience in a drinking water or wastewater treatment laboratory is required

CERTIFICATIONS

• A Grade III Certification from the California Water Environmental Association or CA-NV/AWWA is required