Chemistry/Limnology Supervisor
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) provides solid waste and drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses, and drinking water for the 1.4 million regional customers both in Seattle and the 26 municipalities and special water districts also served by the Utility. "Our Promise" (Download PDF reader) to the community is to deliver efficient and forward-looking utility services that keep Seattle the best place to live. Our customers depend on us to be there for them – to deliver utility services reliably and to spend their dollars wisely.
SPU is seeking a Chemistry/Limnology Supervisor to provide administrative oversight and technical leadership to the Chemistry/Limnology Unit of the Water Quality Laboratory. This role will also oversee the scheduling and production for laboratory analyses, scheduling for field sampling, and Quality Assurance oversight of the lab and field activities. Will report to the Drinking Water Quality Division Director.
Job Responsibilities
- Supervise Chemistry/Limnology unit of Seattle's large, state accredited, utility water quality laboratory.
- Responsible for ensuring compliance with the monitoring requirements of various regulatory rules (e.g. Disinfection By-Product Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, and Surface Water Treatment Rule).
- Serves as technical lead for special studies to support capital regulatory changes.
- Provide technical consultation to address various chemistry and limnology issues, perform the more complex analyses of the unit, and assist with routine analytical work as needed.
- The position ensures appropriate supplies and equipment are purchased for analytical work, maintains QA/QC protocols and activities for the Chemistry unit, and ensures accreditation is maintained for all appropriate analytes and methods.
- Position requires strong supervisory skills for 7 analytical staff, as well as strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
- Supervision includes performance expectation setting and review, development of training plans, work planning, and scheduling staff.
- Serve as a member of the Drinking Water Quality Management team; exercise independent judgment and initiative to handle technical issues while keeping the Director informed of progress and any issues.
- Maintain regular contacts within the department (management, operations, engineering) and with wholesale customers, federal and state laboratories, representatives of local and state health agencies and consultants in order to coordinate work activities, exchange information and resolve issues.
- Provide support to operations staff (supply and treatment) in the form of analytical testing, clear and timely communication of results, explanation of results in the context of applicable regulations, and with respect to the water system.
- Provide analytical support to a combined utility (drinking water, surface water, drainage and wastewater).
Please note that this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- A baccalaureate degree in Microbiology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
- Four (4) years of experience in a Water Quality Laboratory, including knowledge of distribution system microbiological/chemical water quality issues, microbiological/chemical methods for the analysis of drinking water, field sampling and monitoring methods, and laboratory instrumentation.
- Or, a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class.
- Current State of Washington driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
