Laboratory Coordinator Recruitment

POSITION SUMMARY

This position requires an employee highly skilled in a variety of operation and maintenance assignments in the District's water filtration plant and water distribution control center.  The individual coordinates the activities of the water quality laboratory by developing and implementing process monitoring, quality assurance and protocols and methodologies for procedures and system sampling programs.   In addition, the Laboratory Coordinator inspects, operates and maintains the water filtration plant and operates the distribution system to supply, treat, store and distribute water.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to monitor and ensure efficient operation of the water distribution system including reservoir water levels, pumping plants, pressure regulating stations, hydroelectric generating stations and the water filtration plant.
• Operate the water treatment processes including filtration, backwashing, ozonation and chemical feeds.
• Develop, direct and coordinate a comprehensive laboratory program to ensure high quality analytical results.
• Maintain the state certification for bacteriological testing and implement practices and procedures ensuring the District laboratory program meets all regulatory quality assurance and safety standards.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives, as well as policies and procedures, and establish schedules and methods for water quality laboratory analysis.
• Plan, prioritize and revise the work involved in water quality laboratory analysis.
• Participate in the development of improved water treatment processes and review monitoring programs concerning water supply, distribution and storage.
• Recommend changes in monitoring programs, treatment methods and process control to improve efficiency and water quality.
• Participate in budget preparation by preparing cost estimates and assist the Assistant Operations Supervisor with the final laboratory budget.
• Provide and coordinate staff training for laboratory testing and procedures.
• Set up, calibrate, operate and perform relatively minor maintenance on a variety of complex laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Prepare standard solutions, culture media and reagents, and ensure that glassware and equipment are clean and operable.
• Maintain all records of analytical results as required by the Department of Health Services.
• Coordinate water quality assurance programs through The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
• Collect samples within the distribution system and water treatment process, order supplies for sampling and schedule pick-ups.
• Perform all duties consistent with the Water Distribution and Water Treatment Operator positions.  Be responsible for their own safety and the safety of coworkers by recognizing hazards and potentially hazardous situations and having an awareness of safe practices on the job site.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• Write clear and concise letters, reports and plans.
• Communicate and interact effectively with peers and external personnel to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.  
• The position requires that the individual to apply a common sense understanding in carrying out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form and the ability to solve day-to-day problems that may occur in stressful environments.  
• Thorough knowledge of the District's distribution and treatment systems, hydraulics and water quality regulations.  
• Ability to compile, evaluate, diagnose and analyze complex data and information from current information and historical trends and be able to recommend and take appropriate actions.  
• Demonstrate initiative, dependability and the ability to operate independently on unsupervised shifts.  
• Read measurements and recording information and be able to interpret results to make adjustments to both the distribution and treatment systems.

MANGEMENT/.SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not exercise managerial of supervisory authority.