Water Quality Laboratory Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Title: Water Quality Manager

Location: Cedar Knolls, NJ (on-site)

Status: Full Time (40 hours), Exempt

Salary Range: $110,00 - $130,000

Benefits:

We offer a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, Comprehensive Health Benefits (medical, dental, vision), PTO including vacation, sick, and other forms of PTO, Retirement benefits, 457b option, Tuition Reimbursement/paid training, FSA, Life insurance (waiting periods may apply)

 Job Description Scope:

The Water Quality Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, and oversight of the Authority’s water quality, laboratory, sampling, treatment process monitoring, and regulatory compliance programs. This position ensures the Authority maintains safe, reliable, and compliant drinking water operations in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

The Water Quality Manager provides leadership and technical direction in the areas of water quality monitoring, laboratory operations, treatment support, data review, compliance reporting, and staff supervision. This position works closely with operations, engineering, and administrative personnel to support effective water treatment performance, regulatory compliance, public health protection, and continuous operational improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plans, organizes, directs, and oversees the Authority’s water quality, laboratory, sampling, treatment process monitoring, and regulatory compliance programs.

2. Supervises and coordinates the daily activities of assigned water quality, laboratory, and related operational staff.

3. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local drinking water regulations, including NJDEP, EPA, and Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

4. Manages required water quality monitoring and sampling programs, including testing schedules, sample collection, preservation, and chain of custody procedures.

5. Oversees laboratory operations to ensure analyses are performed in accordance with approved methods, quality assurance standards, and regulatory requirements.

6. Reviews and interprets laboratory results, operational data, and water quality trends to support treatment performance and compliance.

7. Works closely with operations staff to evaluate treatment process performance and recommend adjustments or corrective actions as needed.

8. Directs the preparation, review, and submission of required regulatory reports, compliance documentation, and water quality records.

9. Maintains accurate and complete records related to water quality testing, treatment performance, laboratory activities, and regulatory compliance.

10. Coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, outside laboratories, contractors, and internal departments on water quality and compliance matters.

11. Assists with inspections, audits, sanitary surveys, permit requirements, and other regulatory review processes.

12. Investigates water quality concerns, unusual analytical results, treatment-related issues, and customer complaints, and recommends appropriate follow-up actions.

13. Develops, implements, and updates departmental procedures, standard operating practices, and water quality-related programs.

14. Oversees the maintenance, calibration, and proper operation of laboratory instruments, monitoring equipment, and sampling devices.

15. Assists in planning and managing departmental budgets, purchases, equipment needs, and laboratory supply inventories.

16. Trains, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff and supports employee development, performance improvement, and compliance with departmental procedures.

17. Promotes and enforces safe work practices, laboratory safety procedures, and compliance with Authority safety policies.

18. Participates in emergency response activities and provides technical support related to water quality, treatment operations, and regulatory compliance as needed.

19. Effectively responds to incidents and exhibit the capability of working outside of normal business hours.

20. Performs related and other duties, as assigned.

This job description 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. Functions of this position include work assignments in the ambient atmosphere including extreme cold, hot, wet, or other inclement weather conditions.  

Qualifications:

LISCENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

·         Maintenance of a New Jersey Basic Driver’s License.

·         Possession and maintenance of appropriate New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Water Supply Operator Licenses, including T-3/T-4 and W-3/W-4, or the ability to obtain within an Authority-approved time period, depending on system classification and operational needs.

·         Possession and maintenance of a New Jersey Industrial Wastewater Treatment License (N-2 or higher) may be required based on Authority operations and regulatory responsibilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

·         A U.S. accredited Associate or Bachelor Degree in science, science informatics, or approved related field, including a four (4) credit microbiology and eight (8) credit organic chemistry lecture and laboratory courses.

·         Seven (7) or more years in the operation of public water systems, including treatment and laboratory experience; including three (3) or more years in a supervisory capacity.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

·         Demonstrated proficiency in the New Jersey and Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

·         Demonstrated proficiency in drinking water laboratory methods, including field, bench, instrument, and continuous water quality monitors.

·         Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-intensity work environment.

·         Demonstrated proficiency in leadership and supervision. Must be proactive, strategic, detail-oriented, and encourage staff development. Candidate must also demonstrate common courtesy and respect to all employees, customers, vendors, and public—even under the most difficult situations.

·         The person serving in this position is expected to maintain up-to-date skill sets to remain current with best available technologies.

·         Excellent comprehension, written and oral skills in English so that involved and complicated instructions and technical texts can be read, understood, produced, and communicated to staff.

·         Demonstrated proficiency in:

o Personal computing applications such as Microsoft Office, industrial control systems (SCADA) and computerized maintenance management applications (facilities, equipment, grounds, fleet, fuel, etc.).

o Reading instrumentation and control, electrical, mechanical, and structural drawings.

o Instrumentation and control ladder logic and instrument calibration procedures.

o Troubleshooting of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal, and process and instrumentation controls.

·         Ability to work harmoniously with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and the public.

·         Ability to demonstrate understanding and satisfactory compliance of SMCMUA policies, procedures, practices, processes, and essential functions.

Company Description:

In 1977, the Governing Bodies of Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains, and Hanover Township (the Creating Municipalities) passed parallel ordinances creating The Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (SMCMUA). SMCMUA provides high-quality drinking water to customers in Morristown, Morris Township, Morris Plains, and Hanover Township with some service in Mendham Township and Harding Township, and to certain customers and municipalities outside its District in Morris County, New Jersey. On a typical day, about 100,000 people rely on SMCMUA's commitment to high quality for their drinking water needs.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action:

SMCMUA prohibits discrimination based on the following protected categories: race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex/gender, pregnancy, marital status, civil status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and disability.