Environmental Supervisor (Operational Microbiology and Chemistry)

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, we’d love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect
We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving
We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability
We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning
We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety
We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of an Environmental Supervisor (Operational Microbiology and Chemistry).

Under general direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff in an assigned section of the environmental sciences laboratory and/or staff responsible for environmental compliance and regulatory efforts regarding ocean monitoring, source control, regulatory resources, environmental audits, air quality, water quality, and/or biosolids management; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; performs the most technical and complex tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility; and performs duties as assigned.

Specifically, the Environmental Supervisor leads the group whose work includes operational microbiology and chemistry. As a result, this section conducts the physical, chemical, and microbiological preparation and analysis of a variety of samples, including wastewater, semi-solids, solids, receiving water, sediments, and source control samples. This section is critical, because this team performs time-sensitive and mission-critical analytical analyses for regulatory compliance, treatment process control, and the pretreatment program. The team provides daily monitoring of all treatment processes at both OC San reclamation facilities and will be expected to resolve issues or inefficiencies and recommend corrective actions as needed. This position also oversees conventional and molecular microbiology developmental and monitoring projects. In addition, this position will manage projects to develop new methods, to project replacement schedules for laboratory instrumentation, to support process optimization and large district-level projects, and to ensure full compliance with OC San’s Mission. The Environmental Supervisor should possess subject matter expertise to oversee the team, direct work, and manage performance while serving as a technical resource for skilled staff and OC San.

The Environmental Supervisor:

• Participates in the selection, guidance, training, and development of staff in the performance of work assignments in areas of responsibility and evaluates employee performance; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures when required; and mentors staff to maximize performance. Occasionally, performs the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Establishes, maintains, and manages schedules and methods for providing assigned services and activities, ensuring mandatory daily workflow completion.
• Oversees applicable regional monitoring programs and efforts;
• Identifies resource needs, reviews needs with appropriate management staff, and allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in the division’s leadership team and coordinates with other supervisors from other Lab groups or OC San divisions to obtain and analyze samples in a timely manner to complete the work assigned.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of assigned program budget, submits budget recommendations, and monitors expenditures.
• Identifies operational issues and develops strategies for resolution.
• Assists management in providing accurate and timely information to outside and regulatory agencies, the public, Boards of Directors, and OC San personnel; presents to management, staff, the OC San Board of Directors, regulators, other public agencies, the public, and professional groups; and attends and participates in professional group meetings.
• Ensures the section’s compliance with all safety program rules, procedures, and protocols; ensures subordinates follow safety policies in work methods and procedures; enforces proper safety precautions while working in dangerous situations; and educates employees on rules, regulations, safe work habits and potential hazards presented by their work environment.
• Ensures the team’s compliance with the Lab’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program, QA manual, QA policies, procedures, and protocols; ensures subordinates complete QA tasks on time with quality; provides quality control review of product from the team, including data and reports; coordinates with lab’s QA team on Performance Evaluation / Performance Testing studies applicable for the functional areas within the section; and stays abreast of and interprets results and findings pertinent to General Chemistry and conventional and molecular microbiology.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional or contracted services, prepares contract specifications and scopes of work, evaluates proposals and recommends award, administers contracts and ensures compliance with OC San specifications and service quality and regulatory requirements, and approves invoices within signature authority.
• Performs, oversees, and communicates data and statistical analysis and review, including record keeping and reporting; remains current on federal and state regulations involving the analysis and reporting of data for regulatory purposes.
• Oversees the planning of Laboratory Information System (LIMS) projects and upgrades and works with IT to improve LIMS, as applicable to operational microbiology and chemistry.
• Works with the Lab QA team and Leadership Team to maintain the Laboratory’s certifications and accreditations; manages the application, preparation, and certification of sample analysis activities for the recertification process.
• Serves as a liaison with regulatory agencies, as applicable.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

1. Bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in a science or a related field.
2. Six (6) years of progressively responsible work experience in environmental compliance and regulatory monitoring; wastewater management; environmental protection program; and/or performing advanced physical, chemical, microbiological, and biological preparation and analysis in a laboratory, which may include two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience.
3. Valid California Class C Driver’s License

Desirable:

• A strong understanding of wastewater treatment and reclamation processes.
• A good understanding of regulatory compliance for NPDES permits for ocean discharge.
• Knowledge of other pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations governing laboratory practice.
• A strong understanding of the laboratory methods and QA/QC elements related to chemical and microbiological testing in various matrices, including wastewater, ambient water, solids, air, and sediment.
• Experience working in a NELAP-or California ELAP-accredited laboratory.
• Possession of LabWare LIMS Administrator Level 1 certification.
• Experience designing and implementing special projects related to supporting wastewater operations.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1
(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 5:00 PM
(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $172,764.80 –$190,444.80
(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands

• Mobility to work in a laboratory and standard office setting and use laboratory and standard office equipment, including a computer; standing in work areas and walking between work areas is required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
  
• Mobility to work in the field at various OC San work sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary access points; ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings.
  
• When assigned to work on OC San’s marine vessel, must be capable of working in wet, unstable conditions, at times while the vessel is under way to the next sampling location.
  
• Perform light to medium physical work; standing in work areas and walking between work areas, within treatment plants, and in the field to conduct assigned work.
  
• Lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to a weight of 51pounds, and occasionally up to 100 pounds, with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
  
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
  
• Vision to inspect and operate equipment.
  
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
  
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate laboratory and standard office equipment.
  
• Finger dexterity to operate and repair tools and equipment.
  
  

Environmental Elements

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
  
• Field work with exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
  
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
  

Other Requirements

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered “at-will”, are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve “at-will” and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
  
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
  
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.
  
  

Disaster Service Workers
All OC San employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the OC San requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Other Information
For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San’s pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
  
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.
  

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.