Lab Director

Job Description

Job Description

LABORATORY DIRECTOR

DEPARTMENT:        Laboratory

REPORTS TO:           Director of Operations and Technical Services Director

SUPERVISES:           Assistant Lab Director, Chemist/Lab Supervisor, Lab Technicians, Lab Assistants, and Lab Aides

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

Supervises the District's Laboratory and Industrial Pretreatment program.  Works under the general direction of the Director of Operations and directs the work of the laboratory personnel.  Confers with the Technical Services Director, Director of Operations and Operations Department Superintendent to determine plant sampling and analysis needs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or Biology and 5 years of experience in wet chemistry techniques.  Supervisory experience and strong computer skills are required.  Must have strong communication and organizing skills.  Must be able to work under pressure with a high degree of professionalism and a minimal amount of direct supervision.  Expected to respond to emergency call-in 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  A valid driver’s license is required.

Typical Duties

1)        Maintain the District's laboratory in compliance with state and federal regulations.

2)        Direct all phases of EPA pretreatment program which includes but not limited to performing inspections, reviewing and preparing annual reports, permit renewals and amendments, significant noncompliance reports, enforcement actions, self-monitoring reports and keeping abreast of new rules and regulations.

3)        Co-ordinate Biosolids testing and reporting with the Technical Services Director during Land Application season.  Report biosolids results on the digested sludge samples the rest of the season.

4)         Confer with local industry on sampling procedures, permit limits, and fees assessed for violations. Schedule sampling and analysis of those industries.

5)         Supervises and establishes efficient laboratory analysis procedures.

6)         Hire, train, supervise and evaluate laboratory employees.

7)         Assign sampling and analytical work to laboratory personnel.  Supervise and performs laboratory analysis and sampling when needed.               

8)         Perform method development on new analysis.

9)         Review and prepare reports on laboratory results. 

10)       Supervise the quality control program.                      

11)       Initiates all capital purchasing for the laboratory, supervises operating purchases, and reviews annual capital budget and operating budget.

12)       Perform backups on all laboratory files and basic trouble shooting on lab computers.

ENVIRONMENT:

Works in the treatment plant and laboratory with their related hazards.  Must be able to inspect plant equipment and make evaluations.  Works with minimal direct supervision. 

As a public employee in a position of major responsibility, the individual is expected to display the appropriate public conduct.

DISCLAIMER:

This position description is intended as a guide and does not constitute an employment contract or provide the assurance of continued employment.  The position is at the will of the District management and Board of Trustees.

Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District is a municipal government that acts as the sole water reclamation agency for around 100,000 people. The Sanitary District provides service for the communities of Chicago Heights, Homewood, Park Forest, South Chicago Heights, Steger and Crete. The Sanitary District is governed by a board of trustees that is appointed by the elected legislative representatives of the communities served by the Sanitary District.

Company Description

Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District is a municipal government that acts as the sole water reclamation agency for around 100,000 people. The Sanitary District provides service for the communities of Chicago Heights, Homewood, Park Forest, South Chicago Heights, Steger and Crete. The Sanitary District is governed by a board of trustees that is appointed by the elected legislative representatives of the communities served by the Sanitary District.