SUMMARY:

The incumbent, under the supervision of the Environmental Quality Program Manager, is responsible for supervising the activities and administration of the state certified drinking water and wastewater laboratory within the Environmental Quality Program in compliance with requirements of regulatory agencies, compliance with requirements of the Consent Decree, and in coordination with the Utility Department comprehensive strategic management plan.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times.
1. Effectively supervise the drinking water and wastewater laboratory including directing employees in the collection and analysis of water and wastewater samples.
2. Performs bacteriological, chemical, and physical tests of treatment process surface and finished water, industrial wastewater, and QC samples.
3. Performs complex instrumental analyses by using, but not limited to TOC/TN Analyzer, IC, and Spectrofluorimeter.
4. Concentrate efforts on the operation and maintenance of the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) for metal analysis.
5. Supervises and reviews laboratory recordkeeping and records systems, maintenance of the laboratory facilities and equipment, scheduling work hours, monitoring work, and managing laboratory performance.
6. Responsible for purchase and maintenance of laboratory stock and supplies, and preparation of solutions and reagents.
7. Effectively promoting a positive workplace culture and positive employee relations.
8. Perform work tasks of any subordinate position as needed.
9. Troubleshoots analytical and equipment issues.
10. Maintains equipment through preventative maintenance routines and procedures.
11. Provide subject matter expertise in laboratory analysis and result interpretation and research related equipment, methods, materials, and technologies.
12. Work through section coordinators and directly with other employees to prepare reports, maintain work safety, and efficiently and effectively perform functions and achieve goals and objectives related to the state certified drinking water and wastewater laboratory and the Consent Decree.
13. Assist in developing and administering operating budgets, policies, and procedures.
14. Assist in researching ordinances, resolutions, laws, rules, regulations, government acts, and the Consent Decree as well as industry practices and standards to ensure the Utility Department’s activities related to the state certified drinking water and wastewater laboratory are in compliance with requirements.
15. Maintains good Quality Assurance practices to insure validity of analytical results. Completes corrective action reports (CAR) for quality control failures.
16. Provide guidance to employees for effectively responding to questions and complaints from customers and the public, tactfully resolve escalated and difficult complaints and problems, and conduct on-site investigations and sampling of citizen’s homes to resolve drinking water quality complaints.
17. Participates in classes and/or attend conferences that are deemed necessary by the Environmental Quality Program Manager.
18. Follows City, Utility Department, and Environmental Quality Program safety practices and guidelines at all times, including wearing proper personal protective/safety equipment.
19. Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Must have a Bachelor degree in Chemistry.
• Five (5) years’ experience in a water/wastewater treatment plant laboratory or private environmental testing laboratory is required.
• Supervisor training or two (2) years supervisory experience is also required.
• Must possess a Grade IV Water Treatment Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, or obtain said license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must possess a Grade IV Water Distribution Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, or obtain said license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must possess a Class IV Wastewater Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality or be able to obtain the license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must have knowledge of correct USEPA approved analytical procedures.
• Must be able to operate advanced analytical equipment in an effective and proficient manner.
• Must be able to organize, direct and coordinate activities of employees.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Experience in the use of ion chromatography, TOC/TN analyzers, microwave preparation equipment, and metals by ICP-MS is preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret complex documents such as federal regulations, policy and procedure manuals. Ability to write complex reports and correspondence. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required. Ability to effectively communicate with industry representatives, employees, federal or state regulators. Ability to verbally communicate and provide excellent customer service.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, area, circumference, volume, and interpret graphs. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to use math to compute needed statistics for compliance determination.

Directly supervises one (1) Laboratory Analyst/Chemist, one (1) Water Quality Analyst, three (3) Laboratory Technicians, and three (3) Laboratory Assistants. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; and addressing complaints and resolving problems, both internal and citizen related.