Water Laboratory Manager

About the Position

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is offering a career opportunity for a Water Laboratory Manager. This is a single-position management has overall responsibility for the administration, regulatory compliance, operational oversight, quality assurance, and supervision of the County’s Water Quality Laboratory (WQL). The position includes overseeing Senior Chemists that supervise technical staff, provide laboratory services, and water quality management for all the Public Works operated water, wastewater and recycled water systems and those of several other communities.

The WQL is certified by the State of California's Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). The WQL also provides sampling, compliance reporting, watershed monitoring and technical support services for all of the County-led systems, and supports compliance for the County stormwater program and a closed landfill. It includes working with the other managers in the Department at a leadership level to ensure the effective operation of all systems and programs that need water quality laboratory services.

TYPICAL TASKS AND REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and oversees all activities and operations of the Water Quality Laboratory to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant laboratory services.

• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees; recommends appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assigns and reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards.

• Develops and administers laboratory budgets, including forecasting operational needs, monitoring expenditures, evaluating resource allocation, and approving procurement of equipment, materials, supplies, and services.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and updates laboratory policies, procedures, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols.
• Oversees and maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, accreditation requirements, and reporting obligations related to laboratory operations, including Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) standards.
• Monitors changes in legislation, regulations, industry standards, and emerging technologies related to water quality, laboratory operations, and treatment processes; evaluates operational and regulatory impacts and recommends appropriate actions to maintain compliance and improve effectiveness.
• Coordinates with Department management, engineers, operations personnel, regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding water quality issues, treatment operations, compliance initiatives, and laboratory services.
• Directs and participates in the preparation, review, and submission of technical reports, compliance documentation, operational data, and regulatory reports to local, state, and federal agencies in accordance with established requirements and deadlines.
• Oversees staff responsible for the laboratory quality assurance program to ensure analytical methods, instrumentation, testing procedures, and laboratory practices produce accurate, reliable, and defensible results.
• Oversees staff responsible for laboratory instrumentation maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and quality control activities to ensure proper operating parameters and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Evaluates laboratory operations and implements improvements to service delivery methods, procedures, technologies, and operational efficiencies.
• Coordinates with water and wastewater treatment operations personnel regarding laboratory testing requirements and training necessary to support compliant and efficient plant operations.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, and technical questions from regulatory agencies, outside organizations, County staff, and the public regarding water quality and laboratory-related matters.
• Supports stormwater compliance activities in accordance with the County’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and related regulatory requirements.
• Develops and administers grants, contracts, consultant agreements, and related funding or procurement activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Please note this recruitment is contingent upon Board of Supervisors approval of the classification and salary, scheduled for July 7, 2026.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:
a) be service and action oriented;
b) understand the technical methodologies associated with water quality data collection, testing and analysis;
c) have experience with supporting water and wastewater systems; and
d) understand the institutional, regulatory and financial considerations associated with successful water quality management and laboratory services.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory science as related to water and wastewater analysis
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements governing water quality laboratory operations, including Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) requirements
• Methods, standards, regulations, and reporting requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Public Health, and other regulatory agencies related to drinking water, wastewater, surface water, groundwater, recycled water, biosolids, stormwater, and related functions
• Principles and practices of laboratory quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs and procedures
• Laboratory instrumentation, analytical methods, calibration procedures, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting techniques
• Principles and practices of public agency budgeting, procurement, contract administration, and financial planning
• Principles and practices of operational planning, program evaluation, and continuous organizational improvement
• Safe work practices and procedures applicable to laboratory and water quality operations

• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills

• Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, leadership, mentoring, training, team dynamics, team building, and performance evaluation

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and oversee laboratory operations and staff in an effective and efficient manner
• Analyze and interpret laboratory, operational, and regulatory data and make sound recommendations and decisions
• Understand, evaluate, and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs and procedures
• Prepare, administer, and monitor laboratory budgets, contracts, grants, and procurement activities
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, technical reports, regulatory documentation, and other written materials
• Evaluate operational needs and implement improvements to laboratory services, systems, procedures, and processes
• Effectively represent the County in interactions with regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, outside organizations, and the public

• Utilize software including those applications specific to the laboratory

• Promote an organized, professional, and safety-conscious work environment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse population of individuals and groups
• Foster effective and positive working relationships with individuals from diverse perspectives by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, advisory expertise, mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building

Education & Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or a closely related field. In addition, six years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater laboratory testing, including at least two years of supervisory, lead, or administrative responsibility in a laboratory setting.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid State of California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 (T2) certification or higher within 6 months of appointment. The 6-month requirement to obtain a T2 certification may be extended up to 12 months by the appointing authority. Sustained certification including any required continuing education units is mandatory for continued employment. Failure to obtain and maintain the required certifications within the time stated will result in removal from the position unless a time extension is approved by the appointing authority.

A valid California driver’s license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.