Career Opportunity

The city of Las Vegas is accepting applications for Laboratory Quality Assurance Officer. This position develops, implements and coordinates programs designed to ensure the validity of data generated by the Environmental Division laboratory, which conducts tests and evaluations to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements; evaluates and maintains a data management program; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to area of responsibility.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direction from the Environmental Laboratory & Compliance Manager or designee and higher level management.

May act as a lead worker, exercising functional or technical supervision, providing guidance, ensuring work is completed according to proper procedure, monitoring work progress, and reviewing results.

Essential Functions:

1. Develops, implements, and coordinates programs designed to ensure the validity of data generated by the Environmental Division laboratory, which conducts tests and evaluations to ensure compliance with wastewater treatment regulatory requirements and assist with process control.
2. Compiles data and prepares analytical reports from sampling, field and laboratory testing, quality assurance evaluations, special projects or statistical analyses for review by the manager; submits reports to other staff and outside agencies.
3. Evaluates laboratory analysis and field sampling activities, analytical data and a variety of reports for validity, correctness and acceptance criteria according to standard quality assurance plans, standard operating procedures, and applicable local, state and federal regulations, including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements.
4. Ensures employees adhere to established work methods, techniques and schedules, and comply with applicable regulations, city and department policies, procedures, standards and specifications; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
5. Assists in the development and maintenance of the laboratory information management system including report production mechanisms and quality control tracking.
6. Performs audits and reviews analytical procedures for quality assurance/quality control and makes recommendations to laboratory management.
7. Maintains various division records to ensure compliance including, but not limited to lab performance evaluations, equipment calibrations, and lab staff analytical training records.
8. Serves as the laboratory's chemical hygiene officer as required by OSHA regulations.

Marginal Functions:

1. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of trends and innovations in the field of chemical and biological processes of wastewater treatment.
2. Ensures staff adheres to safe work practices and procedures.
3. Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Experience:

Three years of increasingly responsible chemical or biological laboratory testing experience.

Training:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major in chemistry, bacteriology, sanitary engineering, chemical engineering, public health engineering or a field related to the essential functions.

May substitute a combination of equivalent education and related experience. The city assesses 1.5 years of fulltime experience as equivalent to one year of education.

Licenses and Certifications:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of application, and maintenance thereafter.

Possession of a Wastewater Quality Analyst in Training certificate from the Nevada Water Environment Association within 9 months of the date of appointment.

Possession of a Grade 1 Wastewater Quality Analyst certificate from the Nevada Water Environment Association within 1 year of the date of appointment.

Possession of a Grade 2 Wastewater Quality Analyst certificate from the Nevada Water Environment Association within 2 years of the date of appointment.

Possession of a Grade 3 Wastewater Quality Analyst certificate from the Nevada Water Environment Association within 3 years of the date of appointment.

Possession of a Grade 4 Wastewater Quality Analyst certificate from the Nevada Water Environment Association within 4 years of the date of appointment, and maintenance thereafter.

Knowledge of:

Laboratory procedures, techniques and equipment relating to wastewater and industrial waste analysis.
Laboratory quality assurance programs and quality control mechanisms.
Permits and regulations relative to the analysis of wastewater.
Approved methods for basic chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses of water and wastewater.
Modern laboratory procedures, methods and computer equipment.
Applicable water sampling procedures and field equipment.
Laboratory information management systems, databases and spreadsheets.
Database queries and mechanisms for report generation.
Data validation procedures.
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations related to all laboratory standards, water quality standards and federal discharge permit requirements.
Laboratory hazards and standard safety practices.
Principles of lead supervision and training.
Methods and principles of data collection and retention.
Occupational hazards and standard lab and sampling safety practices.

Skills in:

Reviewing the work of lower level staff.
Interpreting and explaining laboratory policies and procedures.
Conducting complex research projects.
Using computers and a variety of complex computer software programs.
Analyzing, interpreting and applying the results of laboratory testing.
Coordinating the activities of a technical laboratory.
Preparing clear, concise and technical reports.
Working independently with minimal supervision.
Producing written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including city officials and the general public.

Competencies:

Core Workforce Competencies

Professionalism – Demonstrates core values by being honest, respectful and positive.

Effective Communication – Expresses verbal and written thought in a clear and understandable manner.

Customer Focus – Demonstrates genuine concern and satisfies external and/or internal customers based on the CLV core purpose and values.

Adaptability – Able to effectively modify behavior to suit changing workforce demands.

Problem Solving – Solves problems by considering all causes, solutions and outcomes.

Productive Partnerships – Develops, maintains and strengthens partnerships with others.

Technical and Safety Expertise – Possesses a depth of knowledge, skill and ability in a technical (job) area.