Under general administrative direction, plans, manages, organizes, and directs the activities of the District’s Laboratory Division, provides technical direction for the operation and certification of a public laboratory, develops and manages division budget, and manages the District’s pollution prevention and pretreatment programs, including annual recertification, data integrity, quality assurance, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a single-position, management-level classification that performs duties related to the administration of the Laboratory Division, including overall management of division functions, short- and long-range planning and implementation of the laboratory, pollution prevention, and pretreatment programs. The Laboratory Manager is distinguished from the Chemist Ill in that the former is responsible for the overall management of the District's laboratory services and activities. The Laboratory Manager is distinguished from the Resource Recovery Services Director in that the latter is responsible for the overall performance and operation of the Resource Recovery Services Department.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Under general administrative direction from the Resource Recovery Services Director and may receive direction from the General Manager or other department directors. This classification exercises supervision and direction over lower-level classifications within the Laboratory Division. May act as a leader for assigned District teams and projects, and as such, may coordinate or oversee the work of other District staff directly related to the assigned activity.Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plan, direct, organize, and oversee the day-to-day operations of a public laboratory and the Laboratory Division and related pollution prevention and pretreatment programs, the preparation, and implementation of operating procedures, and the allocation of divisional resources and functional responsibilities.
- Manage and participate in the development and implementation of short- and long-term goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned functions and programs; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
- Develop and monitor a division budget and participate in the District’s budget cycle and preparation.
- Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees on performance issues and make disciplinary recommendations.
- Ensure completion of division work activities in a manner consistent with District policies and procedures, and applicable laws, codes, statutes, and regulations; identify revised or new policies and procedures to address changes in work processes, legal requirements, and regulatory considerations.
- Stay abreast of regulatory, legislative, and industry changes that impact District operations and recommend approaches to address these changes, including advocacy, as needed.
- Supervise, participate in, and oversee staff providing services and administering programs of the Laboratory Division, pollution prevention, and pretreatment programs.
- Ensure regulatory compliance for all laboratory and environmental programs and laboratory operations including agreements for stormwater inspection, solid waste management, and waste diversion or reduction.
- Develop and draft specific language and detailed provisions of new or revised ordinances for inclusion in the district code related to laboratory operations and quality assurance, pollution preventions, discharge, and other water quality standards or requirements.
- Develop and administer laboratory related plans and programs mandated by the regional boards and other regulatory bodies.
- Perform periodic audits, proficiency testing, reporting, and data or process reviews as mandated for laboratory and pollution prevention and pretreatment program compliance.
- Develop pretreatment audit preparation plans for third-party auditors and write pretreatment audit responses, act as point of contact for laboratory and pretreatment program audits.
- Coordinate response to claims and litigation in cooperation with District Counsel and indemnity coverage providers as directed.
- Gather and accumulate information and data on developments and trends in applicable legislation, rules, regulations, and professional practices of related industries.
- Prepare a variety of analyses, reports, schedules, recommendations, and position papers work on programs and special projects of laboratory and pollution prevention programs.
- Coordinate division activities with other District departments and divisions during the course of business and as part of an emergency or disaster plan.
- Prepare recommendations, reports, and other materials; make presentations to management, the Board, other agencies, industry organizations, and the public; and represent the District at meetings, seminars, and conferences.
- Effectively perform other work duties and responsibilities consistent with the position on an as-needed and/or assigned basis.
General Organizational Duties- Assist in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives related to the District’s Strategic Plan.
- Oversee the development and implementation of activities related to key success indicators of the department and division.
- Identify and oversee the implementation of relevant, innovative processes, technologies, and approaches for implementation at the District.
- Actively promote the District’s focus on effective and respectful communications to build better work relationships at all levels in the organization.
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with other staff members, staff at other agencies, professional organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Participate in regional collaboration opportunities and learning from peer agencies to serve the District’s needs.
- Participate and lead teams engaged in District projects and organizational activities.
- Provide appropriate, timely, and customer service focused responses to public inquiries.
- Understand and conform with the District’s Policies and Procedures.
- Understand and conform with the District’s Safety Program.
- Assume responsibility for covering a part of the work assignments of other staff during short absences.
A combination of training and experience that demonstrates that an individual has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation if needed). A person with the following combined training and experience would most likely qualify to compete in a selection process:
Education:A Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a closely related field is required.
Experience:Seven (7) years of experience in water quality control laboratory operations and compliance work and at least two (2) years of which was in a water or wastewater treatment plant facility.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS- Expected to respond or report to duty in emergency situations, which may occur after hours, on weekends, and/or holidays.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESKnowledge of:- Principles, practices, and functions of laboratory operations in public utility water and wastewater quality control.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to the work.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards applicable to the National Pollution Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements.
- Legal and regulatory requirements applicable to water and wastewater treatment, water quality laboratory analysis, continuous industrial waste monitoring and reporting.
- Chemical laboratory and water quality control principles, standards, practices, and technical support functions.
- Sampling methodology under EPA protocols.
- Wastewater pretreatment technologies and applications.
- Techniques for preparing long and short-term departmental service projections, budget requests, and supportive justification.
- Techniques used in estimating time, material, and supply cost estimates.
- Principles of supervision, techniques for training, motivating, and developing employee skills and conducting formal performance evaluations.
- Methods and techniques of data analysis and reporting, creating accurate documentation, and effective presentation techniques.
- Organization and functions of an elected board of directors, the Brown Act and other laws and regulations governing the conduct of public meetings.
- Principles and practices of research analysis and management.
- Principles and practices of budget preparation, implementation, and monitoring.
- Practices of coordinating operations with outside agencies.
- Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Skills and Abilities to:- Interpret and apply the specific provisions of regulations, legislation, policies, agreements, and procedures to conditions.
- Organize, implement, and direct department operations and activities, develop, implement, interpret, explain, and enforce effective operating standards, and district and department policies, and procedures.
- Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
- Perform mathematical, statistical, geometric and algebraic calculations common to water quality control laboratory analysis and public agency budget work.
- Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, work standards and internal controls in support of department activities.
- Prepare, administer, adhere to, and monitor department and program budgets.
- Evaluate, plan and establish a sequence of actions for multiple organizational segments to accomplish specific objectives.
- Maintain awareness of the District’s strategic plan and ensure performance and behavior is consistent with and in support of the District’s strategic goals.
- Supervise, direct, mentor, coach, develop, and correct division staff; interpret and enforce administrative/operational policies, practices, and procedures.
- Analyze complex administrative and program information and problems, evaluate alternative solutions and recommend or adopt effective courses of action.
- Operate laboratory equipment, devices, and tools safely and effectively in normal and hazardous environments.
- Effectively define and deliver optimum customer service at the most competitive cost and effort; work collaboratively and cooperatively in a team environment; develop and nurture self-directed work teams; seek out and encourage innovation and initiative from front line employees.
- Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential personnel and employee issues, sensitive situations, and concerned people and customers, both internal and external.
- Prepare clear, concise and effective reports, presentations, correspondence, and other related documents communicating clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
- Assure the provision of proper training and instruction to all employees to work safely and effectively.
- Effectively utilize a variety of software and database programs to enter and track data, develop meaningful reports and schedules, and perform essential functions of the position.
- Evaluate, plan and establish a sequence of action for work projects to progress; organize multiple work tasks data and records, maintain steady progress on various projects under pressure of varying deadlines.
- Exercise initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Fair Labor Standards Act Classification
: Exempt – Administrative Exemption
Collective Bargaining Representation Unit: Management Association
Pay Level: M 180
Job Specifications Approved by: Board of Directors
Approval Date: 9/12/2002
Appointment and Removal Authority: General Manager
Revision Approval Authority: General Manager
Revision Date 3/12/2009, 10/19/2021, 8/30/2024
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