The City of Clinton, Iowa, Regional Water Reclamation Facility (RWRF) is seeking candidates for the position of Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor. The Clinton RWRF is responsible for the transport and treatment of wastewater for the cities of Clinton, Camanche, Low Moor, and industries in the local area. Recently, the City of Clinton expanded their treatment capabilities to include processing wastewater from Clinton’s Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). This expansion project focuses on environmental consciousness and responsible industrial practices for the City of Clinton. For additional information about the City of Clinton, please visit: Clinton, IA | Official Website. https://www.cityofclintoniowa.gov/jobs.aspx
Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor:
The Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the daily operation of the RWRF laboratory. This role provides technical and administrative oversight for laboratory testing, sampling, quality assurance, regulatory reporting, staff training, laboratory safety, and related compliance activities.
Experience/Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or closely related
field is preferred. (Associate’s degree may be considered with substantial laboratory/supervisory experience.)
3-5 Years progressively responsible experience conducting laboratory analyses in wastewater, water quality, environmental, chemical, biological, or related laboratory setting.
Prior Lead/Supervisory experience is preferred
Maintain accurate and complete records to support DNR reporting requirements
Valid Driver’s License
Salary and Benefits:
Generous benefit package includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS) contributions, and group health/dental/life insurance. Vision insurance, long-term disability insurance, and flexible health/dependent care spending plan contributions can be purchased through payroll deduct.
Hourly salary rates between $24.95 and $32.07. Salary dependent on qualifications at the time of hire.
To Apply:
Send completed City of Clinton application along with resume and any applicable documents to Human Resources at
[email protected] by no later than August 14, 2026, at 4:00 P.M.
Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor
Job Summary:
The Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor, under the direction of Regional Water Reclamation Facility leadership, plans, organizes, supervises, and participates in the daily operation of the Regional Water Reclamation Facility laboratory. This position provides technical and administrative oversight for laboratory testing, sampling, quality assurance, regulatory reporting, staff training, and laboratory safety. The Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor ensures accurate, timely, and defensible analytical results for wastewater, sludge, biosolids, process control, and related environmental samples in support of facility operations and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
- Plan, assign, schedule, supervise, and review the work of laboratory personnel performing wastewater, sludge, biosolids, and related environmental analyses.
- Provide day-to-day technical direction to laboratory staff regarding sampling procedures, analytical methods, equipment use, quality control, documentation, and safety practices.
- Perform, review, validate, and approve laboratory analyses and test results to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established standards and permit requirements.
- Maintain and oversee quality assurance and quality control procedures, including calibration records, standard operating procedures, chain-of-custody documentation, sample hold times, corrective actions, and records retention.
- Prepare, review, and submit laboratory data and reports used for regulatory compliance, operational monitoring, and management decision-making.
- Train, coach, and evaluate laboratory staff; assist with hiring, onboarding, performance feedback, work assignments, and corrective action in accordance with City policies.
- Coordinate laboratory activities with facility operations, maintenance, pretreatment, regulatory agencies, vendors, contract laboratories, and other internal or external stakeholders.
- Oversee the operation, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair coordination for standard and specialized laboratory instruments and sampling equipment.
- Develop, update, and implement laboratory procedures, forms, methods, safety practices, and training materials consistent with accepted laboratory standards.
- Monitor inventory and recommend or coordinate the purchase of laboratory supplies, reagents, equipment, and services.
- Ensure laboratory operations comply with applicable environmental, occupational health, safety, and chemical hygiene requirements.
- Perform laboratory testing and related technical work as needed to support workload demands, staff absences, special projects, emergencies, or operational needs.
Skills and Competencies:
- Advanced knowledge of wastewater laboratory practices, environmental sampling, analytical methods, quality assurance, quality control, and regulatory reporting.
- Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to wastewater treatment, laboratory testing, discharge monitoring, biosolids, and environmental compliance.
- Ability to maintain the RWRF’s Environmental Laboratory Certification.
- Ability to maintain accurate and complete records to support DNR reporting requirements, i.e. Discharge Monitoring Report Forms.
- Ability to read and comprehend laboratory and scientific procedures and literature.
- Ability to supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate technical staff in a professional laboratory setting.
- Ability to review, interpret, validate, and explain complex laboratory data, calculations, trends, and compliance results.
- Skill in operating, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory equipment and analytical instruments.
- Strong organization, documentation, time management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with employees, supervisors, regulatory agencies, vendors, and the public.
- Proficiency with computers, spreadsheets, databases, laboratory information systems, and electronic recordkeeping.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field preferred. Associate’s degree in chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related field may be considered with substantial directly related laboratory and supervisory experience.
- Experience: Minimum of three to five years of progressively responsible experience conducting laboratory analyses in wastewater, water quality, environmental, chemical, biological, or related laboratory setting. Prior lead worker, supervisory, training, or project coordination experience preferred.
- Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver’s license in good standing required.
- Other Requirements: Must be able to pass a criminal background check, drug screening, and pre-employment physical.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
- Work is performed primarily in a laboratory and wastewater treatment facility environment, with exposure to wastewater, sludge, biosolids, chemicals, odors, noise, and equipment requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.
- Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach, talk, hear, smell, read instruments, review records, and perform detailed analytical work.
- Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds with or without assistance.
- May be required to work outside normal business hours, including overtime, weekends, holidays, or emergency response, depending on operational or compliance needs.
This supervisory role is essential to maintaining accurate laboratory data, protecting public health and the environment, supporting operational decision-making, and ensuring the Regional Water Reclamation Facility remains in compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Pay: $24.95 - $32.07 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
