WTP LABORATORY MANAGER - WATER

WTP LABORATORY MANAGER - 4246

GRADE - 118

PAY RANGE - $71,864.00 - $102,440.00/yr - plus a comprehensive benefits package

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Plans, organizes, manages, and administers the operations and activities of the Water Works Laboratory; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of Water Treatment Plant (WTP) laboratory staff. The work is performed under the direct supervision of the assigned supervisor but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over the work of employees in the classes of WTP Laboratory Technician I and II. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other city employees, as well as outside contractors, local business, community organizations, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a laboratory, office, and outdoor work environment with potential personal hazards.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Manages, directs, and reviews the performance of Water Works laboratory personnel, delegating daily tasks, procedures, and records;
• Supervises, trains, and schedules WTP Laboratory staff to ensure compliance and operations; establishes training schedules; documents credit hours; oversees annual ethics & data integrity training for staff;
• Oversees all laboratory functions, protocols, and procedures; creates and maintains laboratory Quality Assurance Manual;
• Ensures compliance for water quality analysis with Federal, State, and local regulations;
• Develops and administers Laboratory budget; interacts with finance department to resolve issues;
• Provides status reports to the department Director and Water Works Deputy Director – Water Treatment & Supply on laboratory operations, special projects, water quality issues, and/or problems within the operational processes;
• Prepares reagents and biological media, orders and receives supplies, maintains laboratory inventory, and schedules hazardous waste removal for chemicals;
• Participates in employee evaluations and hiring processes;
• Trains and offers technical assistance to field personnel in the Manchester Water Works (MWW) Distribution Department, Watershed Division and staff of the Water Supply Division;
• Responds to customer complaints regarding water quality; schedules sampling, performs analysis, reviews results, and compiles reports;
• Documents all training activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations;
• Coordinates daily activities of the laboratory between water department personnel on multiple projects;
• Works with Operations staff on water quality, treatment plant, and dosage issues; Coordinates the laboratory sampling and analysis schedule in compliance with all local, State, and Federal regulations;
• Oversees the daily collection of samples from water treatment plant processes, source, and treated waters throughout Manchester and surrounding franchise area;
• Schedules monthly, quarterly, and annual compliance sampling in accordance with Safe Drinking Water Act;
• Oversees the performance of and interprets complex laboratory analyses on environmental samples;
• Oversees the Lake Monitoring, Cyanobacteria, and Lead and Copper Programs;
• Oversees laboratory internship program and MWW Youth Education Public Outreach program;
• Analyzes and interprets data, policy, and procedures, and/or operates specialized equipment in order to arrive at logical conclusions or recommendations;
• Oversees compliance with the most recent TNI (The NELAC Institute) laboratory certification standards and ensures laboratory accreditation based on said standards in compliance with New Hampshire Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NH ELAP);
• Ensures laboratory staff meet all yearly accreditation requirements;
• Serves as the Water Works Laboratory’s Quality Assurance Officer (QAO);
• Plans policies and long-term strategies, formats conclusions based on available criteria and data, and evaluates the effectiveness of the laboratory objectives;
• Presents data reports and objectives to Water Works staff and the general public;
• Acts as the Deputy Director – Water Treatment & Supply during an absence, relative to their responsibilities;
• Presents water quality information to Water Commissioners Board and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen as necessary;
• Oversees laboratory projects such as evaluating and/or validating new procedures or equipment;
• Ensures all procedures are up to date and staff are trained on methods and procedures;
• Actively participates in the Laboratory Association of New Hampshire (LANH);
• Participates in general laboratory housekeeping duties including bottle washing and sterilization, lab cleaning and sterilization, routine equipment maintenance, media preparation, and sterility checks;
• Submits reports electronically to State and EPA;
• Performs annual internal audits on chemistry, management, microbiological, and quality systems; prepares for annual on-site audit by State of NH ELAP certification officer;
• Completes the New Hampshire Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NH ELAP) Data Integrity and Ethics training on an annual basis;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of analytical methods, laboratory procedures, facilities, and equipment;
• Thorough knowledge of scientific discipline pertinent to the laboratory’s function;
• Thorough knowledge of water treatment processes and water quality;
• Thorough knowledge of all standard methods utilized in the MWW Laboratory including physical, chemical, biological, and microbiological procedures;
• Thorough knowledge of TNI Accreditation Standards;
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory safety guidelines;
• Thorough knowledge of proficiency testing requirements and laboratory staff competence to meet NH ELAP accreditation requirements;
• Thorough knowledge of the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act in addition to knowledge of compliance requirements in regards to New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES);
• Ability to prepare comprehensive analytical reports, detailed standard operating procedures and implement Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedures in the laboratory;
• Ability to apply logical expertise to resolve problems of a specialized or professional nature in a wide range of applications, including but not limited to water quality and water treatment;
• Ability to navigate City Geography Information Systems (GIS) and distribution plans as necessary;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both scientific and non-scientific language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology, or other closely related field; and
• Three to five years of experience in an Environmental or Water laboratory; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• TNI accreditation through New Hampshire Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NH ELAP) (Must obtain accreditation within 12 months of date of hire);
• TNI New Hampshire ELAP Certified Laboratory Analyst;
• Valid Driver’s License;
• State of New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Water Treatment Operator Certification – Grade IV (preferred).

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision in the normal visual range, with or without reasonable accommodation; visual deficiencies must not interfere with the ability to perform laboratory analyses;
• Superior manual dexterity and coordination, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform complex laboratory analyses which involve specialized equipment as needed;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to turn, reach and grasp repetitively;
• Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, through a full range of motion, up to 50 pounds occasionally, 20 pounds frequently and 10 pounds consistently;
• Sufficient physical ability necessary for sitting and standing for extended periods of time, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work with and around laboratory equipment and collect water samples in both indoor and outdoor environments including confined spaces.