Wastewater Laboratory Supervisor

City-of-Redding; Redding (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Redding seeks a technical leader to plan, direct, and supervise all functions of the wastewater environmental services laboratory. You will ensure sampling, testing, and reporting meet ELAP and regulatory standards across water, wastewater, and stormwater programs.

You will oversee advanced analyses, manage QA/QC, and maintain LIMS data integrity while coordinating with regulatory agencies and city staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biology, or related physical science.
• Four years progressive relevant experience in an accredited environmental laboratory.
• Experience supervising lab staff performing advanced journey level analyses.

Responsibilities

• Direct, supervise and coordinate all laboratory operations for water, wastewater, and stormwater testing.
• Ensure ELAP certification and QA/QC programs are maintained.
• Prepare and review regulatory reports including NPDES-related documents.
• Develop SOPs and CHP; manage laboratory records and data quality.

Skills

Lab supervision

Water/wastewater analysis

ELAP compliance

QA/QC

LIMS proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Biology/Environmental Science

CWEA/CA-NV/AWWA Lab Analyst cert (Grade III/IV)

Tools

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer

pH meters

D.O. meters

Turbidimeter

LIMS software

Job description

Under direction of the Municipal Utilities Manager, plan, direct, and supervise all functions of the Wastewater environmental services laboratory(ies). Exercise actual day-to-day supervision of laboratory operations including the analysis of water, wastewater, stormwater and related materials. Ensure sampling, monitoring and testing comply with city, state, and federal requirements for water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities. This position serves as the “Technical Manager”, “Laboratory Director” and/or “Quality Assurance/Quality Control Officer” for ensuring compliance with the State of California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Incumbents assigned to this classification are capable of supervising lab staff performing advanced journey level work in chemical, biological, and bacteriological analysis of wastewater and related solids and liquids in support of efficient operation of water and wastewater treatment operations. Provide overall supervision and management of all aspects of the laboratory(ies). Individuals working in this classification are expected to ensure compliance with all requirements of local, state and federal law pertaining to the operations of an environmental services laboratory.

• Coordinate various laboratory administrative functions; monitor the ELAP certification; ensure compliance with State Water Resources Control Board requirements to maintain laboratory certification; develop, revise and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) and Quality Assurance/ Quality Control (QA/QC) program; communicate regularly with various regulatory agencies.
• Oversee and perform routine and advanced laboratory analysis, including detailed testing of wastewater to ensure meeting discharge requirement for NPDES permit.
• Conduct and coordinate a variety of special tests, studies, projects and research; collect, analyze and summarize data; identify problems regarding drinking water, wastewater and biosolids; prepare comprehensive reports on findings; provide recommendations related to implementation of solutions for compliance with regulations. Conduct a variety of chemical and bacteriological tests to determine composition and disposition of wastewater components.
• Prepare, review, and/or verify a variety of records and reports, including the NPDES permit and other regulatory requirements, and Quality Assurance/Quality Control records required for State Laboratory accreditation.
• Manage and participate in the quality assurance programs; develop and implement new methods for laboratory analysis consistent with EPA guidelines and the Manual of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater; develop and maintain SOPs and CHP.
• Conduct oral/written presentations to City staff and the public.
• Maintain test equipment and laboratory facilities.
• Order supplies and minor testing equipment.
• Operate a variety of equipment, such as atomic absorption spectrophotometer, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, and turbidimeters.
• Assist other departments with testing when requested.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, supervise, train, review and oversee the work of assigned laboratory staff.
• Effectively operate and maintain a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software to ensure data quality, retention and adherence to all regulatory record keeping and chain of custody requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned within the scope of the job classification.

Knowledge of:

• Physical plant characteristics, seasonal changes in treatment system operation and available options in process operations.
• Steps to be taken to effectively communicate all requirements (and safety hazards) to operations staff
• The Clean Water Act (and amendments) and applicable EPA and state regulations.
• Safety procedures surrounding the handling of reagents and chemicals and laboratory glassware.
• Operating principles of analytical instrumentation spectrophotometers, pH meters, D.O. meters, etc.
• State Laboratory Accreditation procedures and required records.
• Capability of evaluating the analytical data from procedures using such instrumentation.
• Principles of personnel supervision and training.
• Chemical and microbiology as applied in a water and wastewater treatment laboratory.
• Methods, techniques and software for advanced data manipulation and analysis used in quantitative and statistical analysis of laboratory data.

Ability to:

• Interact effectively with the public and employees.
• Execute calculations accurately; recognize treatment process efficiency or problems by observation of physical properties and/or chemical examination.
• Operate appropriate safety equipment.
• Recognize health and safety hazards connected with plant operations and maintenance.
• Set up and maintain California ELAP including an acceptable QA/QC program.
• Data and compliance form management.
• Supervise, direct, train and oversee the work of laboratory personnel.
• Provide effective leadership.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Prepare a wide variety of reports and records.
• Perform complex chemical and biological tests on treated and polluted water, potable water, and domestic wastewater and related materials.
• Analyze and interpret laboratory test results, understanding nuances of testing protocols upon results.

Education and Experience:

• Any combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.
• Typical education would include a Bachelor of Arts/Sciences degree in Biology, Chemistry or related Physical Science.
• Typical experience would include four years progressive relevant experience working in an accredited environmental laboratory performing routine and advanced laboratory analysis, including detailed testing of water or wastewater.

Special Requirements:

Possession of the appropriate California driver's license, or the ability to acquire one within ten days of appointment.

In accordance with California Code of Regulations section 62812.00, incumbents must meet one of the criteria below:

EITHER

• A baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering; and three (3) years' experience in the analysis of chemical, biological, or microbiological samples in an environmental laboratory, prior to being designated Technical Manager, subject to the following allowances:
• - A master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience;
• - A doctorate in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

OR

• An employee of a drinking water or wastewater treatment facility, who holds a valid CWEA Laboratory Analyst certification or CA-NV/AWWA Water Quality Analyst certification (Grade III or IV), shall be deemed to meet the qualifications of Technical Manager if the grade of certification has educational and experience requirements appropriate to the scope of analytical testing in the facility's laboratory.

OR

• An individual who has continuously held the position of Technical Manager at an environmental testing laboratory since the laboratory was first accredited, provided that the accreditation date was on or before December 31, 1994; and a director of a public health laboratory, pursuant to Health and Safety Code sections 101150 and 101160.

You will receive notifications pertaining to this recruitment at the e-mail address and text message number provided on your application. Email correspondence may go to your spam and junk mail folders. Applicants requesting a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the testing or interview process should contact Personnel at [phone] by the application deadline.

Examination Process:

The examination process may include an oral board examination, a written examination, practical examination or any combination thereof. This recruitment will establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

Selection Process:

Final appointment is contingent upon:

• Positive past employment references
• Passing a city paid fingerprint criminal conviction check (applicants 18 and older)
• Passing a pre-employment medical exam and drug and alcohol screening test.

Veteran's Credit:

Applicants who attach a copy of the DD-214 to their application indicating “Honorable Discharge” from military service and receive a passing score on the examination process will have two (2) additional points added to their final examination score.

The City of Redding adheres to Cal/OSHA COVID-19 requirements.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/FEDERAL AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER