Laboratory Supervisor

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Designated as Lab Supervisor by the State North Carolina Division of Water Resources Wastewater/Ground Water (NC DWR WW/GW) Lab Certification.
• Maintains State lab certification through participation in PT studies and ensures compliance with all laboratory regulations.
• Collects and analyzes samples required by Mebane WRRF National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, for process control, including jar testing and microscopic examination of activated sludge samples.
• Generates new and updates existing laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) in accordance with 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 136 -EPA approved methods for wastewater analyses.
• Serves as the City representative during State lab inspections.
• Prepares solutions and standards.
• Establishes new testing methods and makes modifications to test procedures as needed.
• Performs record keeping duties to ensure that all data is reported in an accurate, timely, and legally defensible manner and to keep supervisors, operators, and management informed.
• Interprets laboratory results and reports unusual or concerning findings to supervisor.
• Coordinates with commercial laboratories for sample pickup and analysis for industrial samples and WRRF samples not analyzed in-house.
• Operates and maintains automated sampling equipment and field and laboratory monitoring instruments.
• Maintains inventory of chemicals, solutions, and lab equipment. Includes ensuring proper disposal of chemicals and reagents and makes purchases as necessary.
• Works with staff and consultants to prepare for new regulatory requirements or responding to regulatory issues including inspections, regulatory interpretation, preparation, design, and
• Develops and implements safety programs and training; prepares new employee safety training for laboratory operations.
• Oversees monthly regulatory reporting for laboratory wastewater operations.
• Prepares monthly and annual reports for laboratory operations.
• Provides solutions for customer inquiries, concerns, and questions.
• Assists WRRF Director or designee in review proposed legislation at the state and national levels to determine the impact of legislation on City operations and services, especially regarding laboratory related operations.
• Plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates the work of technical employees in the City's wastewater laboratory.
• Develops and modifies testing procedures, quality control measures, intervals for sampling at the treatment plant, collection systems, receiving stream, industries, and wastewater samples of biosolids, compost, and sewage collection system overflows.
• Completes, reviews, and signs off on all laboratory regulatory reports; maintains various reports on operations and other reports required for laboratory services.
• Serves as a technical liaison, making site visits and taking samples for analysis.
• Provides chemical and biological analysis in response to environmental emergencies regarding wastewater issues.
• Authorizes or provides continuing education to laboratory staff and plant operating personnel to ensure retention of knowledge and retain required certifications regarding laboratory operations.
• Assists WRRF Director in developing and administering an annual laboratory budget; oversees and authorizes purchases of equipment, chemical inventories, supplies, and employee compensation regarding laboratory operations.
• Manages the City's wastewater plant laboratory management system database; enter test results or from contracted laboratories and assists WRRF Director evaluate new technologies and advanced equipment to assess its applicability for City Utilities Department use.
• Provides input to WRRF Director or designee who oversees the Pretreatment program in compliance with Federal and State Pretreatment Program regulations in their efforts to assure guidelines are in place to prevent pass-through, interference, or other adverse impacts to the system, workers or the environment; to promote the beneficial reuse of biosolids.
• Oversee and ensure that all regulations related to Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program are met.
• Maintain all certification and accreditation standards and assure facilities are in good standing with all accrediting and review bodies at all times in regard to laboratory operations.
• Supervises, coordinates, and schedules chemical and biological analysis of samples from treatment plant process, discharges, and surface waters.
• Monitors laboratory analysis to ensure proper procedure and representative & accurate results.
• Maintains Quality Assurance/Quality Control Program to validate lab results generated.
• Assists in generating (NPDES) reports.
• Attends professional training and takes advantage of career development opportunities.
• Utilizes various laboratory equipment to conduct various types of tests on samples of wastewater and samples from certified pretreatment compliance sampling points.
• Troubleshoots and calibrates thermometers, meters, and growth check on media for quality control procedures and completes state forms to document practices.
• Collects samples at wastewater treatment plant and off-site at industries, as needed to maintain proper treatment plant operation and compliance.
• Types letters and chain of custody forms; files and performs other clerical duties.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of basic and analytical chemistry sufficient to execute and supervise the work of technical staff in a wastewater laboratory.
• Thorough knowledge of the theory and practices of wastewater treatment plants and the chemistry of the processes employed.
• Considerable knowledge of the city's policies and procedures related to personnel, budgeting, and purchasing.
• Considerable knowledge of federal/state water/wastewater laws and regulatory requirements including proposed state and federal regulations and legislation.
• Knowledge of control and countermeasures to mitigate environmental hazards.
• Knowledge of human relations sufficient to interact with the public and regulatory officials.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory principles and practices sufficient to plan, organize and evaluate the performance of those supervised.
• Ability to apply laboratory practices to ensure compliance with state and federal agencies.
• Ability to teach plant operating personnel the methods and practices for testing and troubleshooting wastewater treatment requirements regarding laboratory operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and be sensitive to perceptions of citizens, other government officials, and the news media.
• Ability to collect and manage varied data, ensure accessibility, and troubleshoot variances.
• Ability to apply computer skills in the performance of assigned duties.
• Knowledge of chain of custody requirements required by state and federal laws.
• Ability to collect wastewater samples and perform necessary laboratory tests.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records; ability to create statistical and narrative reports; ability to document chain of custody of samples.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Physical requirements - Work in this class is medium work requiring exertion of more than 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amounts of force constantly to move objects. Must have visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, operate a computer, and use measurement devices. Employee is required to speak to exchange or convey detailed information and instructions and hear normal sounds without correction.

Working conditions

• Employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions including hazards such as electrical current or exposure to chemicals and atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation as well as blood borne pathogens and other hazardous chemicals and biological waste.

Education and Experience

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's or Associates (2 yr) degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Science or related field and 2 - 5 years practical lab experience in a municipal or commercial laboratory; OR equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Wastewater certification is preferred but not required.

Special Requirements

• Valid NC Driver's License.
• Class 2 Wastewater Laboratory Analyst certification or ability to obtain within one year of employment.
• Pretreatment I Certificate or the equivalent or ability to obtain within one year of employment.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt