JOB FLSA Status: Exempt
1st Review of application: Week of July 8, 2026
JOB SUMMARY
To plan, organize, direct, and supervise water quality laboratory operations and related regulatory compliance activities within the Operations Department; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.
Supervision Received and Exercised
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Receives general direction from the Operations Manager.
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Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional and technical staff.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for water quality laboratory operations; implement policies and procedures.
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Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; conduct performance appraisals.
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Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
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Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, supplies, equipment, and services; monitor and control expenditure.
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Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; recommend personnel actions; implement discipline procedures as needed.
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Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory quality assurance, quality control, and data integrity programs; maintain required laboratory certification.
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Supervise day-to-day laboratory operations and data reporting.
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Prepare and/or oversee preparation of required internal and external reports regarding water quality; ensure reports are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
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Plan and implement sampling, data gathering, and special testing programs to evaluate and solve water quality problems; assign and/or participate in special water quality monitoring investigations.
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Evaluate and interpret water quality data related to water treatment and distribution systems and watershed water quality studies.
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Participate in development of improved water treatment processes and review monitoring programs related to water supply, distribution and storage; recommend changes in monitoring programs, treatment methods or process control.
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Meet with regulatory agencies while representing the District to assess proposed regulations; provide technical and policy input into the development of new regulations; track regulations.
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Maintain a liaison and cooperate with other water utility and trade organizations on issues relating to the interest of the District and water industry; advise management on how proposed statutes and regulations may impact the District’s mission.
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Conduct special applied research projects relating to the District’s processes and systems, design and oversee experiments, modify equipment, and maintain records. Prepare, maintain, and validate statistical and analytical reports for regional, state and federal agencies.
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Work with commercial laboratories and requisition specialized testing, as appropriate.
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Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
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Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other District employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
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Perform related duties as assigned.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
On a continuous basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently bend, squat, climb, kneel or twist while performing field sampling work; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and push, pull, lift or carry weight up to 25 pounds. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Must be able to operate a district vehicle.
APPROVED: December 2025
