Job Title:             Laboratory Manager      

Department:      Public Works     

Reports To:         Wastewater Superintendent

Open Date:         12/09/2024

Close Date:         Open Until Filled

Salary Range:    $7,224.60 per month

To Apply Please Visit: https://apps.meridiancity.org/jobs/


Job Summary:
Manage, evaluate, and prioritize the operation of the City’s Wastewater Laboratory.  As part of the Wastewater Leadership Team, this position is directly responsible for regulatory compliance and oversight.  Requires significant collaboration and coordination with plant operations.  Responsible for laboratory budgeting, capital improvement project execution, and purchasing.  Supervise wastewater analysts and laboratory support employees; manage the generation of test results (for IPDES monitoring compliance, Reclaimed Water Compliance, Air Permit Compliance, and process control) by approved analytical methods;  guide use of highly technical automated analytical instrumentation; oversee the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program; manage the wastewater laboratory information management system (LIMS);  responsible for generation of final laboratory reports; generate permit- defined reports for the EPA and IDEQ for permit compliance; Responsible for regulatory compliance with EPA’s NetDMR website; provide vision and forecasting for future laboratory activities and plans for further development of the laboratory’s scope of work necessary to meet future demands on resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION:

• Directly responsible for the oversight and operation of a multimillion dollar laboratory facility with an annual operating budget of over $500,000;
• Plan, prioritize, assign, and supervise the work performed by five laboratory personnel (365 day/year operation); to include the QA/QC program and all analyses performed at the Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) including samples related to NPDES compliance, process monitoring, ambient monitoring, reclaimed water and biosolids monitoring;
• Monitor and communicate abnormal sample results to Wastewater Superintendent, operations staff, and Wastewater Plant Operations Manager;
• Responsible for the in-depth technical interpretation of regulatory documents, such as Federal NPDES permits, State issued Reclaimed Water and Air permits, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act;
• Implement programs and procedures to achieve state and federal mandates and compliance;
• Coordinate and collaborate with other section managers, divisions, agencies, municipalities, and engineering firms;
• Monitor regulatory rulings and advisories; develop compliance implementation plans;
• Prepare lab related non-compliance letters for Wastewater Superintendent, data base reports for EPA and reviews contract lab data for proper analysis. Interpret EPA findings and explain errors or inaccurate results using required laboratory technique and terminology;
• Coordinate planned and participate in unannounced on-site regulatory audits conducted by the EPA or Idaho DEQ; respond to questions; provide requested documentation; respond to audit deficiencies; and provide direction and documentation of corrective action;
• Responsible for regulatory record keeping necessary for NPDES compliance;
• Determine and designate approved analytical methods to employ in the laboratory;
• Identify subcontract laboratories for performance of methods not employed at the City’s laboratory; evaluate subcontract laboratory qualifications and accreditations;
• Establish goals and objectives for the lab personnel considering available resources;
• Manage 7-day a week testing and operating schedules;
• Provide constructive feedback for improvement of job performance; provide training and development opportunities for laboratory staff; provide performance evaluations and work plans;
• Interview and evaluate potential laboratory staff members;
• Identify, evaluate, and procure new equipment and analytical instrumentation, software programs and ongoing technical support from providers, such as Laboratory Information Management software (LIMS) and Operator10 Wastewater;
• Authorize all expenditures necessary to support laboratory operations;
• Perform cost savings comparisons and analyses to confirm efficiency and effectiveness;
• Oversee management of LIMS. Within the program, administers and is responsible for the development and use of the following:
• Client set-up for various entities for which analyses are performed, such as the City Wastewater Division, the City Parks Department, and the City Water Division;
• Analysis and method creation, specifying critical items such as method reference, holding times, reporting units, method detection limits, and reporting limits;
• Bench sheet creation, formatting, generation, and use;
• Quality Control acceptance limits, for such elements as: method blanks, sample duplicates, matrix spikes, matrix spike duplicates, initial calibration verifications, continuing calibration verifications;
• Sampling schedules for both compliance and process samples (for regular, repeating work orders);
• Data entry format set-up decisions;
• Exceedance limits for each sample type, for each analytic type, and set-up for auto-generated reports and emails for exceeded limits;
• Final laboratory report formats for each sample and analysis, including applicable data qualifiers and comments;
• Electronic Data Deliverables (EDD’s) generated from the LIMS, such as the monthly plant data summary, the DMR report, and the seasonal Reuse data summary report;
• Oversee management of WIMS software. Responsible for the development of the following:
• Data reports, data entry forms, dashboards, graphs, trigger reports and other reports and forms as required;
• Set up and maintenance of WIMS variables;
• Set up and maintenance of data import from LIMS and SCADA;
• Evaluate requests for special projects and testing in respect to capabilities and budget. Coordinate timing, methods, and performance of special projects. Provide data set and additional information (such as narratives, qualifiers, summaries, and charts) to plant administration, consultants, and/or engineers;
• Generate final laboratory reports subsequent to review by QA/QC Coordinator of all applicable data. Review final data package, including chain of custody forms for anomalous values, completeness, and accuracy. Check for presence of necessary data qualifiers. Finalize and sign complete, reviewed laboratory reports;
• Prepare and finalize Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMR). Assist in submitting DMR using the NetDMR system.
• Assist in preparing annual compliance documents and reports.
• Review multi-year data sets and assist in permit reapplication process

WASTEWATER RESOURCE RECOVERY FACILITY:

• Communicate laboratory results of compliance and process sample testing to operations staff and facility management;
• Provide general scientific context of laboratory results;
• Provide interpretation and explanation of laboratory results;
• Direct control over process and operational decisions;
• Provide testing services for special projects and engineering initiatives as needed;

QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL:

• Develop, maintain, and update the laboratory Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) to ensure regulatory compliance;
• Establish program goals, policies, analytical procedures, methods, and guidelines;
• Ensure adherence to internally developed standard operating procedures, based on regulatory-approved methods;
• Manage laboratory records, both physical and digital. Adhere to established City records retention policies as well as NPDES permit required record policies;
• Manage review of contract lab data to ensure errors are found prior to data submittal;
• Direct proper use and interpretation of established acceptable container types and holding times;
• Coordinate performance of annual blind QC analysis for EPA. Review, check and interpret results obtained for reporting analysis results;
• Manages laboratory proficiency testing (PT) program, including performance of EPA mandated DMR QA studies;
• Oversee production of monthly Air Permit report;
• Determine method detection limits, as required;
• Temporarily fill in as QA/QC Coordinator during absences;
• Foster an environment that values data integrity and analytical ethics;
• Provide guidance to Laboratory Analysts regarding data quality objectives;

LABORATORY:

• Manage analysis of a variety of sample types and matrices, including, but not limited to the following: wastewater (compliance and process control samples), sludge, surface water (creeks and rivers), reuse water, and biosolids;
• Manages analyses required for compliance with facility permits: IPDES Discharge Permit, Water Reuse Permit, and Air Permit;
• Edit and approve SOP’s prepared by analytical staff;
• Monitor and maintain the laboratory facility including water purification and distribution systems;
• Coordinate necessary repairs or facility modifications to ensure continuity of operations;
• Enforce laboratory safety measures involving requirements for personal protective equipment, laboratory techniques, and staff behavior;
• Occasionally perform quantitative analysis of samples using a variety of techniques and instruments; prepare analytical standards; determine standard curves; calculate and report results; operate, maintain, repair, and install complicated laboratory equipment;
• Maintain and enforce the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP);

FIELD:

• Direct the sampling of a variety of sample types and matrices (as listed above) for process control and for compliance with facility permits;
• Provide training to operators on composite equipment, procedures, and proper grab sampling techniques;
• Oversee surface water sampling procedures and performance;
• Oversee performance of parameters measured in the field;
• Oversee field QA/QC sample program.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires advanced knowledge of the operation of analytical instrumentation including but not limited to flow injection analyzers and spectrophotometers, programmable auto samplers, microbiological incubators, pH meters, specific ion meters, turbid meters, drying ovens, muffle furnaces, autoclaves, laboratory dishwashers, fume hoods, analytical balances and microscopes;
• Must be able to work independently and make sound judgments towards the needs of the City’s WWTP;
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state and city policies, procedures, laws, codes, rules and regulations;
• Substantial knowledge of the principles of analytical chemistry and microbiology, statistics, laboratory analysis, laboratory techniques and equipment; sample collection and preservation; quality assurance; chemicals, and laboratory safety practices;
• Possess an advanced understanding of laboratory and chemical inventories;
• Substantial knowledge of requirements of QA for labs and be able to audit all analyses;
• Substantial knowledge of federal and state QA/QC requirements pertinent to NPDES reporting, laboratory safety procedures, plans and formal written documents required by regulating entities;
• Advanced understanding, operation, and maintenance of advanced, complex laboratory instrumentation
• Proficient Computer Skills Including:
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), such as Promium Element;
• Respective Instrumentation operation software, such as Lachat Omnion software;
• Water Information Management System (WIMS) by Hach;
• Must be able to perform tests for accuracy and validity of testing and be able to write, re-write or modify procedures to meet EPA mandated requirements;
• Must know and be familiar with plant safety procedures including confined space entry;
• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently;
• Must be able to work night shift, call outs, and holidays;
• Must be physically able to lift 20 pounds;
• Must be capable of walking, climbing, and bending without undo strain;
• Must display an attitude of cooperation and the ability to work well with others;
• Ability to keep excellent records to maintain regulatory compliance;
• Ability to work as a team player;
• Ability to communicate with management, supervisors and co-workers with respect in a pleasant, courteous manner.
  

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with moderate noise level. The position also requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to function in the general office environment to accomplish tasks;
• Occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration;
• Requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time, up to 8 hours and ability to lift up to 20 lbs.;
• Requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work;
• Requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Travel Requirements

• Local travel is frequently required;
• Some regional travel is required.

Job Specifications:

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in science related field (chemistry, biology, or equivalent);
• Requires 3-5 years supervisory experience over a technically complex laboratory facility;
• Desire 3-5 years of experience in handling and troubleshooting a computer database management system.

Licensing and Certification:

• State of Idaho Wastewater Laboratory Operator License Class IV or the ability to obtain within 18 months of hire;
• Must hold a valid State of Idaho Driver’s License (30 days after start date) and safe driving record.

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