This is supervisory scientific work with administrative responsibility directing a water quality laboratory for the Miami-Dade Water & Sewer Department.

An employee in this class is responsible for planning, assigning, and reviewing the work of subordinate employees engaged in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of water treatment plant source water, treatment chemicals, and treated drinking water. Responsibilities include assuring adherence to laboratory quality control procedures, assuring compliance with requirements of various regulatory agencies, developing new analytical procedures and methodologies, preparing technical specifications for laboratory equipment, supplies, materials and other needs, directing complex experiments and studies, and reviewing and interpreting analytical data generated on a daily basis. The incumbent exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise in assuring the drinking water produced by the utility meets all local, state, and federal requirements. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional and technical employees with assigned responsibilities in various phases of laboratory operations. General direction is received from an administrative superior who reviews work through observations, reports and personal conferences, and holds the incumbent responsible for the professional management of laboratory activities and achievement of desired goals and objectives.

ILLUSTRATIVE TASKS

Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of professional and technical employees engaged in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of water treatment plant source water, treatment chemicals, and treated drinking water in order to assure compliance with federal, state, and local drinking water rules, laws, and regulations.

Ensures adherence with required laboratory quality control protocol and procedures as defined by state laboratory certification criteria to maintain laboratory state certification status and licenses.

Prepares, organizes and submits reports to federal, state, and local regulatory agencies to establish compliance with drinking water rules and regulations.

Develops and implements new analytical procedures and methodologies, standard operational procedures, preventive maintenance schedules, and quality control procedures based on current regulatory policies and procedures and anticipated regulatory changes.

Prepares technical specifications for the purchase of specialized laboratory equipment, obtain services of commercial

contract laboratories, establish preventive maintenance or service contracts, and establish purchase orders for the purchasing of expendable laboratory equipment and supplies; reviews final bid award recommendations.

Directs and conducts complex chemical, physical and microbiological experiments, investigations, studies and research to determine the presence of contaminants in the source and treated water, and to evaluate new treatment process techniques.

Reviews and interprets all analytical data generated daily for the purpose of maintaining quality control of the in-plant treatment processes and quality control of water in the distribution system; reports anomalies and makes recommendations for corrective action.

Prepares budget estimates and documents; authorizes requisitions for materials.

Keeps informed on current developments in the fields of analytical and environmental chemistry, technical management, computer science, and drinking water and environmental protection legislation.

Develops short and long-range laboratory objectives; evaluates work methods, policies and procedures.

Responds to telephone calls and complaints from the public concerning the water utility; explains utility operations and activities; conducts plant tours.

Maintains working relationships with officials of local, state and federal agencies involved in environmental protection.

Makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline and promotion of subordinates; authorizes leave and overtime; evaluates and rates employee performance.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGES, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Thorough knowledge of the science of Chemistry including methods, principles and procedures of laboratory chemical analysis.

Thorough knowledge of scientific principles and theories of physics, biology, mathematics, and related physical sciences.

Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to drinking water.

Considerable knowledge of the principles of management as applied to the management of a large and complex water quality laboratory.

Considerable knowledge of quality control procedures, sampling and statistical techniques used in determining drinking water quality.

Considerable knowledge of current developments in analytical and environmental chemistry and in related fields.

Ability to apply advanced professional knowledge of chemistry and related fields to assure departmental compliance with laws and regulations concerning drinking water quality.

Ability to manage a water quality laboratory to assure compliance with state certification criteria, licensure requirements and other local, state, and federal regulations.

Ability to supervise professional and technical subordinates in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.

Ability to analyze and interpret the results of complex experiments and research and make effective recommendations to correct abnormal water quality conditions.

Ability to design and implement new laboratory analytical procedures and methodologies.

Ability to develop short and long-range water quality laboratory goals and objectives.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, superiors, members of the public, and officials of various public regulatory agencies.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.

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