SUPERVISING CHEMIST

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 general direction, plans, assigns, supervises, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for performing a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses on a variety of environmental samples as necessary for process control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance; administers the laboratory quality assurance program; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

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.

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews, rates and participates in the work of staff responsible for performing a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological tests and analyses on a variety of environmental samples as necessary for process control, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance for a variety of program areas including potable water, wastewater, industrial waste pretreatment, stormwater, live stream discharge, and reclaimed water.
• Schedules the collection of water samples; oversees laboratory testing; schedules, assigns, and performs laboratory performance evaluation study tests for environmental laboratory certification renewal program.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing laboratory services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in the selection of assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training including training in analytical techniques; completes performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
• Trains plant operators in techniques for daily process control monitoring program.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned program budget; submits budget recommendations; oversees inventory and purchasing needs of laboratory staff; monitors expenditures.
• Maintains records concerning operations and programs; prepares reports on operations and activities including annual consumer confidence report, disinfectant by-products and water quality reports, and distribution system’s physical and microbiological monitoring report; prepares final reports for submittal to federal and state regulatory agencies.
• Performs the more technical and complex tasks of the work unit; performs complex chemical, bacteriological and physical analyses.
• Administers and oversees the laboratory quality control and quality assurance program; prepares, reviews, and updates laboratory standard operating procedures; reviews and updates new compliance monitoring requirements.
• Manages and oversees the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
• Administers the laboratory chemical hygiene program.
• Provides direct support and backup to other laboratory staff.
• Participates in special investigations and projects including those for potable water and wastewater operations.
• Responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and effective manner;
  provides technical information to other departments and divisions; responds to requests from other agencies.
• Serves as staff on a variety of committees and teams; 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, sludge disposal requirements, industrial waste pretreatment requirements, and storm water discharge regulations.
• 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:

• Operations, services, and activities of an environmental laboratory.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Basic principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Microbiology, environmental biology, biochemistry, and advanced chemistry.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques used in a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses and testing of drinking water, raw water, wastewater, sludge, reclaimed water, and stormwater.
• Basis of each test and understanding of how tests/analyses are used to monitor the treatment of wastewater, to determine the quality of drinking water, and to distinguish between different water sources.
• Environmental laboratory quality assurance/control practices and processes.
• Characteristics of common chemicals and their safe handling.
• Principles of laboratory safety and emergency procedures.
• Methods and techniques of sample collection and sample preservation procedures.
• 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, storm water regulations, and industrial waste pretreatment requirements for industries.
• Testing procedures as prescribed in "Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater."
• Water and wastewater treatment principles and techniques.
• Performance Evaluation study requirements.
• Operating characteristics of a variety of laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Standard operating calibration procedure for laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Principles and practices of record keeping.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Principles of customer service.

Ability to:

• Coordinate and direct environmental laboratory operations and programs.
• Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in laboratory services and activities.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing laboratory services and activities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines.
• Research and understand various scientific techniques.
• Adapt standard methods and techniques in the functional area to which assigned.
• Prepare standard operating procedures.
• Maintain an effective quality assurance program.
• Perform a broad range of physical, chemical, and bacteriological analyses and laboratory calculations.
• 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.
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and calibrate complex laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
• Calculate results and interpret data; solve mathematical problems.
• Prepare professional and scientifically accurate reports and papers and produce clear and concise reports of laboratory activities.
• Understand the results being reported and their importance in monitoring processes.
• Evaluate information and determine appropriate remedial activities and actions.
• Handle hazardous chemicals safely.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Operate office equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
• Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility.
• 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: Three years of increasingly responsible experience in an environmental laboratory including one year of administrative and/or supervisory capacity.

License/Certificate and Other Requirements -Possession of a Grade III Laboratory Analyst certification issued by the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA). May, when assigned, be required to work weekends as part of their normal work schedule. 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, office, and occasional field setting. CONTINUOUS working indoors. FREQUENT exposure to fumes and odors of chemicals and plant processes. OCCASIONAL exposure to extreme heat of autoclave and high-temperature furnace, ambient temperatures in plant and outdoors; temperature swings from air conditioning to plant or outdoors; toxic chemicals. INFREQUENT exposure to extreme noise of equipment in plant; heat and humidity when working outdoors; mechanical and electrical hazards of laboratory equipment; explosive hazards of reactive chemicals; atmospheric dust. Work schedule is 80 hour biweekly pay periods, with unscheduled breaks. Overtime may occasionally be required in performance of time-dependent laboratory procedures. Work environment is informal, both team and autonomy oriented, having both routine and variable tasks, with variable pace and pressure, frequently fast-paced. Work is performed in the office and laboratory at the Resource Recovery Facility and rarely in the field at manufacturing facilities, commercial and industrial establishments.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in laboratory setting. CONTINUOUS sitting; fine finger dexterity to calibrate and operate laboratory equipment and instruments; eye-hand coordination. OCCASIONAL walking, standing, climbing, reaching at and above shoulders, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; grasp and hand and arm strength to lift equipment; lifting objects weighing up to 25 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders, with or without assistance; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from below waist to waist; transporting objects weighing up to 50 lbs. distances up to 200 yards, with or without assistance. INFREQUENT bending and stooping, squatting, crawling, kneeling; lifting objects weighing 26-50 lbs. from chest level to above shoulders, with or without assistance; lifting objects weighing 51-100 lbs. from below waist to waist level with or without assistance; transporting objects weighing 51-100 lbs. distances up to 10 feet, with or without assistance.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens, printed documents, printed documents, and instrumentation; color vision acuity.

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

Smell: Sense of smell for odor analysis.

December 2005
Revised by Johnson & Associates

May 2006
Revised by HR – SB & Laboratory - VV, CM, RG