Research Manager

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts is hiring a Research Manager in the Technical Services Department, Wastewater Research Section.

This position will report to our Joint Administration Office (JAO) in Whittier, CA. The position will require frequent travel between our Joint Administrative Office and A.K. Warren Resources Facility in Carson, CA. This position may be eligible for an alternative work schedule (9/80) and a telework option of one day per workweek.

OUR MISSION

The Sanitation Districts protect public health and the environment through innovative and cost-effective wastewater and solid waste management, and in doing so convert waste into resources such as recycled water, energy and recycled materials.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To manage a group of professional and technical support staff to perform wastewater and solid waste research projects; and to act as a liaison with other work groups to establish research related project priorities and schedules.

JOB SUMMARY:

Under general supervision of a higher-level Engineering Manager, the Research Manager oversees an annual budget of $5 million dollars and a group of 18 professional and technical support staff to perform wastewater and solid waste research projects and acts as a liaison with other work groups to establish research related project priorities and schedules.

The incumbent will be responsible for

• Coordinating the work of an engineering section engaged in research work supporting both solid waste and wastewater operations.
• Supervising, conducting and reviewing complex studies and preparing correspondence and reports; specifying and reviewing work procedures and standards.
• Reviewing and recommending human resources actions including selections, evaluations and discipline for employees of the section.
• Ensuring the completion of projects in the interest of technical adequacy, efficiency, safety and timeliness.
• Acting as agency liaison with other governmental agencies and citizen groups.
• Performing related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant science or engineering from an accredited college or university and one year of experience in the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts at or above the level of a Supervising Engineer or three years of non-Districts experience performing supervisory duties over Professional Engineers or Professional Researchers engaged in wastewater, solid waste or other relevant environmental research activities.
• A valid California Class C driver license

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer

Representative projects of the Technical Services Department include:

Pure Water Southern California (PWSC) – a partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

• Process Modeling
• Pilots

1. High Purity Oxygen Ludzig-Edinger
2. Tertiary Membrane Bioreactor
3. Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor and Anammox

• Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Treatment
• Sidestream Centrate Treatment

Digestion/Food Waste

• Co-Digestion of Food Waste

1. Impact of increased loadings on Operations
2. Increased Gas vs. Solids Production

• Digestion

1. Thermal Hydrolysis
2. Thermophilic Digestion

Water Reclamation Plants (WRPs) Upgrade and Process Optimization

• Activated Sludge Densification
• Treatment Process Modeling and Tracer Tests
• Low Dissolved Oxygen Process Control
• Anoxic Zone Mixing

Hydrogen Sulfide and Odors Management

• Optimization of ferrous chloride dosing
• Continuous H2S analyzers
• Biotrickling Filter Media Testing
• Biochar for Odor Control

BENEFITS:

• Excellent benefits including company paid healthcare, PTO; Holidays; CalPERS (state pension plan); tuition reimbursement; salary adjustments & promotions; student loan reimbursement; professional development.
• Compensation: $171,264.00 - $213,084.00
• A team committed to new technologies, training, and education.
• A mission to protect public health and the environment.