Description

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
Receives general direction from the Operations Manager.
Exercises direct supervision over assigned professional and technical staff.

Examples of Duties:
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for water quality laboratory operations; implement policies and procedures.
Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; conduct performance appraisals.
Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staff, supplies, equipment, and services; monitor and control expenditure.
Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; recommend personnel actions; implement discipline procedures as needed.
Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory quality assurance, quality control, and data integrity programs; maintain required laboratory certification.
Supervise day-to-day laboratory operations and data reporting. 
Prepare and/or oversee preparation of required internal and external reports regarding water quality; ensure reports are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
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.
Evaluate and interpret water quality data related to water treatment and distribution systems and watershed water quality studies.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Work with commercial laboratories and requisition specialized testing, as appropriate.
Answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate complaints and recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other District employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
Perform related duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications:

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of analytical chemistry and microbiology; and chemical, physical, and bacteriological characteristics of treated and untreated water.
Principles and practices of water treatment processes and distribution systems; including water quality and regulatory reporting requirements.
Methods and techniques for recordkeeping and report preparation and writing.
Equipment, tools, and materials used in chemical and microbiological sampling and environmental laboratory analysis.
Modern laboratory procedures and equipment, including computer uses and applications used in laboratory testing and analysis such as Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
Sample collection/monitoring procedures and sample preservation methods related to water treatment processes.
Computer applications used in laboratory testing and analysis and water treatment processing problems.
ELAP requirements and the 2016 TNI Standard. 
Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
Principles and practices of budget monitoring.
Principles and practices of safety management.
Pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances, and rules and regulations.

Ability to:

Direct and supervise the water quality laboratory activities and personnel.
Interpret and follow regulatory compliance activities required by ELAP requirements and the 2016 TNI Standard.
Establish and adhere to the 2016 TNI Standard quality control program and standards.
Read, interpret, and record laboratory data and ensure it is accurately recorded and reported.
Perform the requirements required as a Technical and Quality Manager (as listed in 22 CCR 64812.00).
Intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects. 
Identify and interpret technical and numerical information. 
Observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures. 
Explain District regulations and policies and requirements of regulatory agencies related to water quality.
Interpret and explain pertinent District and department policies and procedures.
Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience
Three years of increasingly responsible experience in the analysis of potable water; including one year providing technical and functional supervision over assigned personnel.

Training
Must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field such as chemistry, biology, microbiology, or environmental engineering as specified in 22 CCR 64812.00. 

License and CertificatePossession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License.
Possession of CA-NV American Water Works Association Water Quality Laboratory Analyst Grade 3 is preferred.
Possession of or ability to obtain within six months, CA State Water Resource Control Board Water Treatment Operator Grade 2.
Possession of or ability to obtain within six months, CA State Water Resource Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 2.

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