Laboratory Coordinator

Summary of Duties

Administers and manages the City's Industrial Pretreatment Program and Water Pollution Control Facility laboratory operations to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations. Responsible for industrial user permitting, inspections, wastewater sampling, laboratory testing, compliance monitoring, enforcement activities, data management, and regulatory reporting. Oversees laboratory operations including quality assurance and quality control procedures, analytical testing, equipment calibration and maintenance, and management of analytical data. Performs and coordinates in-house wastewater analyses including Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Suspended Solids (SS), and Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG), and ensures laboratory practices comply with applicable regulatory and industry standards. Reviews industrial wastewater data and self-monitoring reports, determines compliance status, investigates unauthorized discharges, and implements enforcement actions when necessary. Coordinates with industrial users, regulatory agencies, external laboratories, consultants, and wastewater operations staff to protect the City's collection and treatment systems from adverse industrial impacts. Maintains pretreatment and laboratory records, prepares regulatory reports, assists with development of local limits and program policies, and serves as the City's primary point of contact for industrial wastewater compliance, pretreatment activities, laboratory operations, and environmental monitoring programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer the City's EPA-approved Industrial Pretreatment Program in accordance with 40 CFR Part 403, Missouri Department of Natural Resources requirements, local ordinances, and approved program documents.;
• Serves as the City's Pretreatment Coordinator, overseeing all aspects of the Industrial Pretreatment Program including permitting, compliance monitoring, enforcement, reporting, inspections, sampling, and coordination with regulatory agencies and industrial users.
• Maintain an inventory of Significant Industrial Users (SIUs), Categorical Industrial Users (CIUs), and other nondomestic dischargers subject to pretreatment program requirements;
• Develops and maintains cooperative working relationships with industrial users, consultants, and business representatives to promote compliance and pollution prevention.
• Coordinates and facilitates environmental sampling, monitoring, testing, reporting, and regulatory compliance activities associated with City-owned facilities and properties, including wastewater treatment facilities, water treatment facilities, groundwater monitoring wells, closed landfill sites, stormwater facilities, contaminated properties, and other environmental compliance locations.
• Conduct industrial user inspections, facility evaluations, and compliance assessments to determine adherence to permit requirements and pretreatment standards;
• Develop, issue, modify, and renew industrial wastewater discharge permits and related control mechanisms;
• Coordinate and perform industrial wastewater sampling activities, including compliance monitoring, surcharge monitoring, special investigations, and follow-up sampling events;
• Coordinate laboratory analyses and review analytical data for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance
• Prepare annual pretreatment reports and other reports required by EPA, MDNR, and local authorities;
• Implement and administer the City's Enforcement Response Plan, including preparation of notices of violation, compliance schedules, administrative orders, enforcement conferences, and other enforcement actions
• Investigate unauthorized discharges, spills, slug loads, illicit connections, and other incidents that may adversely impact the collection system, wastewater treatment facilities, or receiving waters;
• Evaluate industrial processes and wastewater characteristics to identify pollutants of concern and determine applicable federal categorical standards
• Participate in regulatory inspections, audits, and program reviews conducted by EPA, MDNR, or other regulatory agencies;
• Assist with development and implementation of local limits, sewer use ordinances, enforcement procedures, and other pretreatment program documents;
• Develop annual pretreatment program budgets and assist with administration of pretreatment-related contracts and consultant services
• Prepare correspondence, reports, memoranda, presentations, and City Council agenda materials related to pretreatment program activities;
• Ensures that staff has the necessary vehicles, equipment, and resources to perform duties safely;
• Purchases supplies, materials, and services. Obtains quotes, and makes recommendations on large-scale purchases;
• Assists with special projects and performs other duties as assigned;

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Acts as supervisor over full-time water pollution control staff
• Plans, assigns, directs, and reviews the work of laboratory personnel.
• Develops laboratory work schedules and coordinates staffing to meet operational and regulatory requirements.
• Trains laboratory staff on analytical methods, sampling procedures, quality assurance practices, safety requirements, and laboratory equipment operation.
• Supervises and coordinates all laboratory operations, analytical testing, sample handling, reporting, and quality assurance activities.
• Conducts performance evaluations and provides coaching, mentoring, and corrective action as necessary.
• Reviews laboratory data and analytical reports prepared by subordinate staff.
• Oversees laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs to ensure data accuracy and defensibility.
• Establishes and updates laboratory standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Assists with development and administration of laboratory and pretreatment program budgets.
• Recommends purchases of laboratory equipment, supplies, and services.
• Coordinates laboratory accreditation, audits, inspections, and proficiency testing programs.
• Ensures compliance with applicable OSHA, EPA, MDNR, and laboratory safety requirements.
• Ensures that personnel are trained and knowledgeable of all policies and procedures, and advises personnel of changes;
• Evaluates performance of Lab Technicians and assigned employees, and submits evaluations to Water/ Wastewater Superintendent for review;
• Assures assigned employees receive required safety training and training for obtaining or maintaining MDNR and other required licenses.

Budgetary Responsibilities

• Works closely with Water/Wastewater Superintendent in the development and oversight of the Water Pollution Control budget.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or associates degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Wastewater Technology, or a closely related field is preferred. Candidates possessing an equivalent combination of education, certifications, technical training, and directly related experience in wastewater treatment, industrial pretreatment, laboratory operations, environmental compliance, or environmental monitoring may be considered in lieu of a degree requirement;
• Must be able to obtain a Class C Wastewater License within one year of employment;
• Must possess a current Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge of basic supervisory and management principles;
• Proficiency in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and simple mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, etc.;
• Thorough knowledge of installation, maintenance, and operation methods and facilities used for the control of industrial and commercial wastes before their discharge into the municipal sewer system;
• Effective with oral and written communications. Ability to write reports and memos, send detailed email messages, and talk with customers, contractors, and business owners in a professional manner;
• Skill in performing on-site inspections;
• Proficient in keyboarding, and the use of personal computer software, including spreadsheet development and word processing;
• Ability and technical knowledge sufficient to inspect drains, traps, settling tanks, clarifiers, and neutralizing tanks;
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local pretreatment regulations including 40 CFR Part 403 and categorical pretreatment standards.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, collection systems, and industrial wastewater characteristics.
• Knowledge of wastewater sampling procedures, laboratory methods, quality assurance practices, and chain-of-custody requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to interpret environmental regulations, permits, technical reports, and laboratory data.
• Ability to evaluate industrial processes and determine applicable pretreatment requirements.
• Ability to identify compliance issues and implement appropriate enforcement actions.
• Ability to maintain accurate technical records and prepare regulatory reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively with industrial users, consultants, regulatory agencies, elected officials, and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to operate laboratory equipment, field sampling equipment, and standard office software.
  • Working knowledge of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems.
  • Working knowledge of computer application software and hardware utilized within the department.
  • Thorough knowledge of the industrial safety practices including, working in gaseous manholes, below grade and confined places, and high voltage areas;
  • Knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, and laws governing the hiring, employment, and dismissal of employees;
  • Knowledge of (or ability to learn) the modern principles and practices of emergency preparedness, and emergency response;
  • Experience in assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments;
  • Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective professional working relationships with customers and co-workers;
  • Ability to read and interpret plans, diagrams, drawings, prints, schematics, utility maps, etc.;
  • Ability to motivate employees and encourage a positive, upbeat workplace environment.

Work Environment, Physical Demands, and Other Requirements

• Work is performed in office, laboratory, industrial, and field environments. Exposure to wastewater, chemicals, biological hazards, industrial operations, and varying weather conditions may occur. Appropriate personal protective equipment shall be utilized as required;
• Ability to perform field inspections at industrial facilities, pump stations, and treatment facilities;
• May be required to climb or balance, reach with hands and arms, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear, smell, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel;
• May be exposed to moving mechanical parts, working in traffic, risk of electrical shock, inhaling fumes or airborne particles, and infectious diseases;
• May occasionally be required to lift/move over 100 pounds;
• Required to serve in an on-call capacity, as well as be available to respond to emergencies or high priority situations.

Please apply via the following link:

The City of North Kansas City, MO is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, mental or physical disability, religion, national origin, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or any other status protected by local, state, or federal law, in the admission or access to, or employment in, its programs or activities. All interested parties are encouraged to apply!

Compensation details: 62442-87422 Yearly Salary

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