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GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of the Director of Water Utilities, directs, manages, and oversees the operations and activities of the Environmental Laboratory Division for the City of Abilene, providing strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and technical direction to ensure the delivery of accurate, reliable, and timely laboratory services in support of water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems, watershed monitoring, and industrial pretreatment programs. Develops and implements division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, accreditation requirements, and industry standards, safeguarding public health and environmental quality. Serves as the City’s primary technical authority and advisor on environmental laboratory compliance and analytical interpretation, providing expert guidance to departmental leadership while final utility-wide policy determinations and regulatory decisions remain under the authority of the Director of Water Utilities.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Direct and indirect supervision over technical, maintenance, and administrative staff.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Develops and executes short and long-term strategic plans for Environmental Laboratory Services aligned with Water Utilities Department goals.
Establishes division policies, procedures, quality assurance protocols, and best practices to ensure analytical accuracy, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
Provides leadership oversight of laboratory accreditation programs and ensures continued compliance with NELAP, TCEQ, EPA, and other governing agencies.
Serves as the primary liaison with state and federal regulatory agencies on laboratory matters; prepares and reviews technical reports and represents the division during audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.
Oversees the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and ensures proper data governance, security, traceability, and reporting accuracy.
Develops, monitors, and reports division performance metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and service excellence.
Prepares, administers, and monitors the division’s annual operating and capital budgets, including forecasting personnel, equipment, and infrastructure needs.
Evaluates emerging regulatory requirements, analytical technologies, and industry trends; recommends strategic improvements and modernization initiatives.
Ensures appropriate quality control monitoring of potable water, wastewater, distribution, collection systems, and related environmental programs.
Provides executive-level analysis and interpretation of complex analytical data and advises department leadership regarding operational impacts and regulatory risk.
Leads safety initiatives and ensures compliance with all applicable occupational health and safety standards within laboratory operations.
Coordinates with other divisions and departments to support operational troubleshooting, customer concerns, watershed protection, and system performance initiatives.
Oversees consultant and contractor engagements related to laboratory systems, equipment procurement, and facility improvements.
Fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement.
Operate a personal or City vehicle to conduct city business.
OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES
Perform other job related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Federal, state, and local regulations governing environmental laboratory operations, water quality monitoring, and wastewater compliance.
Principles of laboratory accreditation, quality assurance, quality control, and proficiency testing programs.
Strategic planning, organizational leadership, and performance management principles.
Public sector budgeting, financial forecasting, and capital planning.
Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and data governance best practices.
Modern analytical instrumentation and laboratory methodologies.
Occupational hazards and safety standards applicable to laboratory environments.
Skill to:
Develop and implement strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
Interpret complex analytical and regulatory information and communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
Analyze data trends and performance metrics to support decision-making.
Manage budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships effectively.
Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams.
Operate modern office and laboratory-related technology systems.
Safely operate a motor vehicle.
Ability to:
Provide executive-level leadership while maintaining operational accountability.
Develop division-level policies and procedures consistent with departmental direction.
Exercise sound judgment in regulatory interpretation and risk mitigation.
Plan, organize, and direct complex programs in a highly regulated environment.
Communicate effectively with regulatory agencies, executive leadership, elected officials, and the public.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Experience and Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Experience:
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in environmental laboratory operations, water quality analysis, or related scientific field is preferred.
Four (4) years in a supervisory or management capacity is preferred.
Experience overseeing laboratory accreditation programs and regulatory compliance is required.
Experience in strategic planning, budgeting, and organizational leadership is preferred.
Education/Training:
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, engineering, or related scientific discipline from an accredited institution is required.
A Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.
License or Certificate:
Qualification to serve as an approved Technical Director in chemistry or microbiology in accordance with TCEQ laboratory accreditation requirements is required.
A Class A Laboratory Certification (TWUA or equivalent) or the ability to obtain one within one (1) year of employment is preferred.
Valid Texas Driver’s License or ability to obtain within ninety (90) days of employment is required.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:
Codes for how often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)
Code / Task
_M_ Standing
_E_ Sitting
_M_ Walking
_I__ Lifting
_I__ Carrying
_I__ Pushing/Pulling
_I__ Overhead Work
_M_ Fine Dexterity
_A_ Kneeling
_A_ Crouching
_A_ Crawling
_I__ Bending
_I__ Twisting
_I__ Climbing
_I__ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
___ Other: _____________________
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