LABORATORY SUPERINTENDENT

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, oversees, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Water Quality Laboratory within the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department; provides managerial assistance in support of other City work programs and objectives; coordinates assigned activities with other units, divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assumes responsibility for the services and activities of the Water Quality Laboratory within the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department to ensure full compliance with state and federal mandated self-monitoring and reporting programs for water, wastewater, biosolids, and reclaimed water; provides managerial support to other functions and programs.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the Water Quality Laboratory programs.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned functions, services, and activities; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
  works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees safety programs for assigned sections and work groups; assists with action planning for safety programs; responds to workers’ compensation issues.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned program budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Oversees and manages functions necessary to meet monitoring and reporting requirements contained in NPDES permit for wastewater testing, and Escondido Creek water testing.
• Ensures the City meets federal and state monitoring and reporting requirements for potable water
  systems including source water, treated water, and distribution systems water testing and reporting.
• Prepares and/or reviews compliance reports for submittal to state and federal regulatory agencies for correctness and completeness; ensures timely submittal of reports; coordinates work activities with other managers and staff for problem identification, remedy, and report submittal in the event of non­compliance.
• Conducts a variety of studies and investigations; develops and recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Directs the development and implementation of plans and programs to improve the efficiency of operations including cost control programs, staff utilization studies, and work method improvements.
• Oversees and participates in the maintenance of records and related documentation; prepares performance and other reports detailing workload and activities.
• Coordinates assigned activities with those of other units, divisions, and outside agencies and organizations; provides support to other work programs involving other work groups, divisions, departments, contractors, and the general public; resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations related to area of assignment as well as changes in federal and state mandates concerning potable water quality, wastewater discharge requirements, and sludge disposal requirements.
• Responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and effective manner; responds to requests from regulatory agencies.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of an environmental laboratory and related programs.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and permits including state and federal mandates pertaining to water quality, wastewater treatment and disposal, sludge disposal, reclaimed water, and storm water regulations for Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility.
• Testing procedures as prescribed in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater."
• Sampling procedures and preservation methods.
• Water and wastewater treatment principles and techniques.
• Chemistry and biology principles.
• Principles of customer service.
• Mathematical principles.
• Principles and practices of record keeping and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of the Water Quality Laboratory and related programs and operations.
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of unit goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Inspect and record pertinent field observations and determine appropriate analytical testing requirements.
• Analyze, interpret, and effectively apply the results of routine and special laboratory tests and projects.
• Solve mathematical problems.
• Evaluate information and determine appropriate remedial activities and actions.
• Prepare professional and scientifically accurate reports and papers and produce clear, concise administrative reports of laboratory and pretreatment program activities.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; tactfully and courteously represent the Public Works Department during public contacts.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry or a related field.

Experience: Six years of responsible experience in a water and/or wastewater laboratory including two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Laboratory and office setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors. OCCASIONAL exposure to heat and humidity of ambient conditions in plant and outdoors; temperature swings from air conditioning to plant or outdoors. INFREQUENT exposure to extreme heat of autoclave and high‑

temperature furnace, extreme noise of equipment in plant, mechanical and electrical hazards of laboratory equipment, explosive hazards of reactive chemicals, atmospheric dust, toxic chemicals. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Subject to 24-hour emergency callbacks and may require working overtime, varying hours, weekends, and holidays. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Work is performed in the office and laboratory at the Resource Recovery Facility, throughout the area in meetings at various agencies, and occasionally in the field at manufacturing facilities, commercial and industrial establishments.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in a laboratory and office setting and operate laboratory and office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting. FREQUENT downward flexion of neck, fine finger dexterity to manipulate writing utensils and computer keyboard. OCCASIONAL walking, standing, climbing, reaching at and above shoulders, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing up to 25 lbs. from below waist to chest level and transporting distances up to 200 yards. INFREQUENT bending and stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: March 2004
Revised by MH/Department