Water Laboratory Manager

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is offering a career opportunity for a Water Laboratory Manager. This single‑position management role has overall responsibility for the administration, regulatory compliance, operational oversight, quality assurance, and supervision of the County’s Water Quality Laboratory (WQL). The position includes overseeing Senior Chemists who supervise technical staff, provide laboratory services, and manage water quality for all Public Works water, wastewater, and recycled water systems and those of several other communities. The WQL, certified by the State of California’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP), provides sampling, compliance reporting, watershed monitoring, and technical support services for all County‑led systems. It supports compliance for the County stormwater program and a closed landfill and works with other Department managers to ensure effective operation of all programs requiring laboratory services.

TYPICAL TASKS AND REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Plan, organize, direct, and oversee all activities and operations of the Water Quality Laboratory to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant laboratory services. Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assigned staff; interview and select employees; recommend appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assign and review work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards. Develop and administer laboratory budgets, forecast operational needs, monitor expenditures, evaluate resource allocation, and approve procurement of equipment, materials, supplies, and services. Develop, implement, evaluate, and update laboratory policies, procedures, and QA/QC protocols. Oversee and maintain compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, accreditation requirements, and reporting obligations related to laboratory operations, including ELAP standards. Monitor changes in legislation, regulations, industry standards, and emerging technologies related to water quality, laboratory operations, and treatment processes; evaluate operational and regulatory impacts and recommend appropriate actions. Coordinate with Department management, engineers, operations personnel, regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding water quality issues, treatment operations, compliance initiatives, and laboratory services. Direct and participate in the preparation, review, and submission of technical reports, compliance documentation, operational data, and regulatory reports to local, state, and federal agencies. Oversee staff responsible for the laboratory quality assurance program to ensure analytical methods, instrumentation, testing procedures, and laboratory practices produce accurate, reliable, and defensible results. Oversee staff responsible for laboratory instrumentation maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and quality control activities. Evaluate laboratory operations and implement improvements to service delivery methods, procedures, technologies, and operational efficiencies. Coordinate with water and wastewater treatment operations personnel regarding laboratory testing requirements and necessary training. Respond to inquiries, complaints, and technical questions from regulatory agencies, outside organizations, County staff, and the public. Support stormwater compliance activities in accordance with the County’s SWMP, NPDES, and related regulatory requirements. Develop and administer grants, contracts, consultant agreements, and related funding or procurement activities. Perform other related duties as assigned. Please note this recruitment is contingent upon Board of Supervisors approval of the classification and salary, scheduled for July 7, 2026.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Service and action oriented. Understand the technical methodologies associated with water quality data collection, testing, and analysis. Have experience supporting water and wastewater systems. Understand the institutional, regulatory, and financial considerations associated with successful water quality management and laboratory services.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of Principles and practices of organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory science as related to water and wastewater analysis. Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements governing water quality laboratory operations, including ELAP requirements. Methods, standards, regulations, and reporting requirements established by the EPA, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Public Health, and other regulatory agencies related to drinking water, wastewater, surface water, groundwater, recycled water, biosolids, stormwater, and related functions. Principles and practices of laboratory QA/QC programs and procedures. Laboratory instrumentation, analytical methods, calibration procedures, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting techniques. Principles and practices of public agency budgeting, procurement, contract administration, and financial planning. Principles and practices of operational planning, program evaluation, and continuous organizational improvement. Safe work practices and procedures applicable to laboratory and water quality operations. Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills. Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, leadership, mentoring, training, team dynamics, team building, and performance evaluation. Ability to Plan, organize, direct, and oversee laboratory operations and staff in an effective and efficient manner. Analyze and interpret laboratory, operational, and regulatory data and make sound recommendations and decisions. Understand, evaluate, and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory QA/QC programs and procedures. Prepare, administer, and monitor laboratory budgets, contracts, grants, and procurement activities. Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, technical reports, regulatory documentation, and other written materials. Evaluate operational needs and implement improvements to laboratory services, systems, procedures, and processes. Effectively represent the County in interactions with regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, outside organizations, and the public. Utilize software—including those applications specific to the laboratory. Promote an organized, professional, and safety‑conscious work environment. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse population of individuals and groups. Foster effective and positive working relationships with individuals from diverse perspectives by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, advisory expertise, mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building. Education & Experience A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or a closely related field. In addition, six years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater laboratory testing, including at least two years of supervisory, lead, or administrative responsibility in a laboratory setting. Licenses and Certificates Possession of a valid State of California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 (T2) certification or higher within six months of appointment. The six‑month requirement may be extended up to twelve months by the appointing authority. Sustained certification, including any required continuing education units, is mandatory for continued employment. Failure to obtain and maintain the required certifications within the stated time will result in removal from the position unless a time extension is approved by the appointing authority. A valid California driver’s license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr County of San Luis Obispo