Overview
The City of Charlotte is the largest municipality in North Carolina and the 17th largest city in the United States, with a total population of more than 872,498 citizens. A major commerce center, Charlotte hosts several of the nation’s largest banks and technology companies.
Also known as the Queen City, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers, the Charlotte Hornets and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. We work hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play. Join us in helping to keep our City thriving, ensuring upward mobility and advancement in the workplace.
Function
This position supervises daily operations and analytical staff for the assigned area of the laboratory program.
Summary
Work involves setting goals for staff; analyzing laboratory capabilities; researching and tracking various functions; maintaining proper level of staffing for workload and incoming projects; validating and reviewing analytical data; applying analytical methods; acting as a subject matter expert to clients and customers; determining root causes and resolving problems; making sure laboratory procedures are in compliance with regulations and protocols; supporting internal and external audits; addressing emergency situations; ensuring safety protocol is followed; and implementing corrective actions. This position supervises and facilitates training of staff; assists in budget preparation and administration; and makes sure appropriate resources are provided for staff to perform.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
• Provides oversight of assigned laboratory operations and supervision of assigned staff; sets priorities and manages change
• Manages analytical instrumentation within the section.
• Performs statistical analysis of data for planning and laboratory improvement functions.
• Supports internal and external audits of critical systems.
• Develops standard operating procedures for analytical methods and lab procedures.
• Implements effective corrective actions based on root cause analysis; safeguards Quality Assurance (QA) requirements.
• Enforces compliance with regulations and protocols.
• Participates in the design and implementation of laboratory information management software (LIMS); configures and operates complex and technical software systems used in the operation of laboratory instrumentation.
• Plans, coordinates, and manages research projects along with the implementation of new analytical instrumentation and methods.
• Serves as subject matter experts to clients; assists clients, including operations staff, with high level problem-solving, project completion and in the development of solutions, provides professional technical advice.
• Assists in the development and implementation of division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Interacts with regulatory agencies, including those related to planning, regulatory compliance, software integration, and analytical reporting.
• Supports and facilitates training of staff; develops training documents and training manuals for new analysts.
• Assists in the administration and preparation of operational and capital budgets.
• Keeps current on quality assurance requirements including state (drinking water and wastewater) and national (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program) accreditation programs.
• Participates in emergency response simulations and exercises;
• Serves on internal committees; and represents Charlotte Water on regional, statewide or national boards or committees as requested; acts as a technical and professional resource both internally and externally to the organization.
• Supervises and coordinates work activities of assigned staff; assigns work, monitors status of work, and inspects completed work; participates and provides input in staffing decisions relative to hiring, firing, discipline, and promotional opportunities; evaluates performance; mentors staff; and provides assistance with career development.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software
• Knowledge of common office software and other pertinent computer programs
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to services provided by a laboratory
• Knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering, and dimensional analysis as well as inferential statistics
• Ability to analyze data
• Knowledge of operation, maintenance and calibration of specialized equipment and instrumentation used on the job
• Knowledge of sampling and laboratory protocols
• Knowledge of City policies and processes
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing
• Skill in using spreadsheets, charts, and graphs
• Ability to follow instructions
• Ability to effectively communicate with state and federal agencies concerning regulations
• Ability to supervise employees
• Ability to develop employee talents within a diverse workforce
• Ability to set priorities, manage change, mentor and develop employees
• Ability to communicate expectations, motivate employees, set smart goals, provide feedback and assess performance
• Basic knowledge of finance and purchasing rules, policies and timelines
Preferred Qualification
• Requires a valid driver’s license.
• Requires a minimum of 24 collegiate credit hours in chemistry for NELAP accredited chemistry areas.
• Requires completion of NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 (or obtain within 18 months of hire).
• Desires completion of NIMS/ICS 300 and 400.
• Desires a NC Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Certification I, II, III and IV; NC Bacteriological certification for Total coliforms and E. coli; NC Pretreatment Grade II certification; Method 1623 Principal Analyst.
• Additional certifications based upon area of work
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree and five years of relevant work experience
OR
Master's Degree and three years of relevant work experience
Conditions of Employment
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
As of October 1, 2021:
The City of Charlotte requires proof of COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment for any new City of Charlotte employees.
The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and as such, will consider reasonable accommodations as required by law.
How To Apply
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
Anyone seeking an accommodation to apply for a job may call (704) 336-2285 for assistance or you may email questions to CityHrJobPostingsNotify@ci.charlotte.nc.us.
Benefits
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.
Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
In Conclusion
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