Racine Wastewater Utility

Laboratory DirectorJob Description

POSITION CLASSIFICATION
JOB TITLE: Laboratory Director / DATE: March 2018
DEPARTMENT: Laboratory / REPORTS TO: Wastewater Superintendent
FLSA: Exempt/Full-Time / PAY GRADE: K
JOB SUMMARY
The purpose of this position is to direct, supervise and ensure proper operations of all wastewater treatment plant laboratory functionswith a high degree of competency according to Environmental Protection Agency and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources standards and protocols.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
  • Manages laboratory operations and personnel to ensurepollutant analysis complies with established test procedure guidelines (Title 40, Part 136) of the federal code; and laboratory test certification complies with Wisconsin state protocols (Chapter NR 149)
  • Serves as the responsible party to establish, implement, assess, and revise the laboratory quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program
  • Records Initial Demonstration of Capability, as needed
  • Reviews, amends, and prepares monthly EDMR for approval and submittal by Utility management to the WDNR
  • CompletesWDNR generated forms using laboratory data as part of the annual sludge reporting requirements; works with superintendent to submit annual report to WDNR
  • Plans and prepares annual laboratory capital improvement budgets; recommends laboratory purchases, orders laboratory equipment, and directsequipment repairs
  • Coordinates sampling and contract lab analysis for specialty pollutants, such as Whole Effluent Toxicity, priority pollutant scans (plant effluent or biosolids), biogas, ultra-low detection (such as mercury or arsenic), and certification proficiency testing
  • Conducts special lab projects, as directed
  • Acts as laboratory safety director; writes and updates Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plan; trains new employees in safe laboratory practice;adheres to all plant safety procedures
  • Files, photocopies, responds to phone or electronic internal or external inquiries
  • Supervises/trains all laboratory personnel, andperformsall laboratory technician/technologist/chemist duties, as needed
  • Rotates weekend and holiday on-call responsibility with other Utility supervisors

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Minimum training and experience required to perform essential job functions.
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university of recognized standing with major courses in life sciences, such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, water resources, environmental science, or related program; a Master’s Degree in a like program is a plus
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources General Wastewater Operator and Laboratory Subgrade (L) certification required within one year of hire, preferably advanced standing
  • Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) Laboratory Analyst certification is a plus
  • Six years satisfactory performance as a laboratory technician or equivalent certified laboratory experience
  • Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office and web research
  • A valid state-issued motor vehicle operating license

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
  • Knowledgeable in modern municipal wastewater operation process technologies, analytical practices, mechanical maintenance procedures, and regulatory standards
  • Familiarity with federal (40 CFR Part 403) and state (Chapter NR 211) Industrial Pretreatment Program regulations
  • Considerable analytical ability and technical training with good managerial knowledge. Requires considerable attention to detail to assure absolute accuracy and defensibility of laboratory output
  • Full working knowledge of quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures associated with laboratory analysis
QA/QC Officer Roles and Responsibilities
  • Reviews all lab data before the data is finalized for reporting or process control uses
  • Alertslaboratory staff of QC problems and initiates review and corrective actions
  • Prepares charts and reports or otherwise interprets QA/QC data
  • Directs the training of new analysts
  • Documents analyst initial demonstration of capability (IDCs)
  • Gathers and organizes records, documents, correspondence, and data for laboratory audits, as needed
  • Applies the requirements of state code NR149
QA/QC Officer Duties
  • Reviews data daily by checking math, dilutions, proper sample ID, sample weight or volume
  • Prepares quality control comments for monthly EDMR data reports
  • Maintains LOD/LOQ records; coordinates LOD analysis and requirements
  • Advises corrective action and maintains corrective action log book
  • Maintains quality control notebook
  • Coordinates receipt of reference samples (ERA) and proficiency samples (WSLH)
  • Reviews and revises laboratory quality assurance manual, as needed
  • Oversees data entry into the internal plant data system
  • Reviews sampling schedules for required parameters
  • Oversees coordination of monthly water/wastewater samples
  • Oversees receipt of sample bottles for special analysis by contract lab(s)
  • Oversees sampling, preservation, COC and shipping of samples for contract lab(s)
  • Calculates geometric means and completes biosolids fecal coliform report
  • Oversees annual tabulation of plant metals results

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ABILITY REQUIREMENTS
Language and Interpersonal Communication.
  • Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, classify, compute, tabulate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.
  • Ability to utilize, interpret, and apply a variety of advisory data and information such as lab test results records and reports, charts, graphs, quality assurance documents, laboratory certification manuals, testing protocol and standards, federal and state lab operating and reporting regulations and guidelines, SDS, scientific supply catalogs, technical operating manuals, and procedures
  • Ability to manage and direct a group of diverse workers, including the ability to provide counseling and discipline. Ability to advise and interpret the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations
  • Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical reports; and communicate with varied and diverse contacts, such as Utility personnel, waste haulers, general public, vendor representatives, customers, students, and regulatory personnel
  • Considerable ability to assess and understand complex policy, procedural, and technical regulatory issues
Mathematical Application
  • Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas, and interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data
  • Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data using hand-written bench sheets and electronic integration in analyzing, recording, and interpreting data
Judgement and Situational Reasoning
  • Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria
  • Ability to work independently to provide primary oversight and direction for the successful performance of the laboratory to perform and interpret laboratory tests
  • Must possess demonstrated organizational abilities in maintaining laboratory documentation systems that verify laboratory operations, provide legally defensible results, and comply with all regulations
Physical Requirements
  • Must have good dexterity with ability to hand operate equipment and instruments, some requiring complex and rapid adjustments in coordination with eye movement
  • Ability to stand for long periods of time
  • Ability to exert light to moderate physical effort to lift and carry objects up to 25 lbs, typically involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling
  • Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarity or difference between characteristics of color, sound and odors as associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks
Work Environment and Conditions
  • The majority of time will be spent in a laboratory setting in an atmosphere maintained comfortably by climate controlled systems per laboratory specifications
  • Occasional exposure to plant and outdoor conditions and atmosphere where exposure to weather, noise, and odors is expected
  • Ability to work under mildly unsafe and uncomfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as heat, odors, smoke, chemicals, toxic agents, noise, wetness,pathogens, electrical currents, broken glass and/or dusts can cause discomfort and where there is risk of injury

EQUIPMENT USED
  • Variety of laboratory meters, distillation units, analytical balance, vacuum pump, steam table, water bath, muffle furnace, drying oven, spectrophotometer, fume hoods, dishwasher, miscellaneous laboratory glassware, water purification units, computer terminal, telephone, calculator
  • Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) spectrophotometer and various accessories, mercury analyzer, distillation, digestion and extraction units
  • Software technology used may include Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Time Management Software (TMS),Linko, and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Other software may be applied

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The Laboratory is audited every three years by the Wisconsin DNR. Analysts are interviewed and questioned on their knowledge, work practices, records and procedures by audit staff. All records are required to be available to the auditor for review. These are very thorough evaluations. Failures can lead to the loss of certification.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the Utility or City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

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