Laboratory Manager #2011-240400-01

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.

Work involves planning, organizing, and directing operations of a full-service laboratory serving both municipal and commercial clients; overseeing the verification and implementation of proper methodology and quality assurance practices; reviewing and reporting of analytical data; supervising laboratory personnel; preparing operational and capital equipment budgets; writing/administering grants; training employees; maintaining  high quality instrumentation; and applying best practices to ensure safe, efficient, and cost effective operations.  This position is responsible for maintaining state certifications and the improvement of quality and efficiency of laboratory operations.

·       Directs the operations of the laboratory, including: Microbiology, General (wet and automated) Chemistry, Metals, Organics, Sample Receiving, Field Services, Project Management, Quality Assurance, and Administration Sections.

·       Ensures adequate staff, training, developmental opportunity, and resources.

·       Oversees Quality Assurance Program and the Laboratory Quality System; conducts management review of program changes and revisions to the Quality Assurance Manual, standard operating procedures, internal audits, and the Corrective/Preventative Action Program.

·       Attends all external audits and participates to the degree requested of the auditor(s); maintains NELAP Accreditation and NC state certifications.

·       Provides a safe work environment including overseeing the Chemical Hygiene Plan, employee-driven Chemical Hygiene Committee, and Industrial Hygiene Monitoring Program; monitors and maintains safety equipment and engineering controls; ensures that annual Supervisory Safety Training is completed; and participates in the Random Drug Screening Program for safety-sensitive positions.

·       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.

·       Maintains a robust analytical screening program for suspected contaminants in water, wastewater, industrial waste, and suspected illicit discharges.

·       Provides mutual aid and support to other laboratories during emergencies or as needed.

·       Assists in the development and implementation of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; assists leadership team with high-level problem-solving; and provides professional opinion and technical advice, as appropriate.

·       Collaborates with others to evaluate, investigate, and resolve operational problems or engage in project planning.

·       Performs administrative duties, including:  preparing and monitoring budget; evaluating instrumentation and methodologies suitability for various projects; providing recommendations for new instrumentation; keeping abreast of new rules, regulations, and changes impacting the industry; and evaluating and initiating changes in procedures to meet organizational, client, or laboratory goal and/or to effectively and more efficiently utilize personnel.

·       Selects and/or recommends purchase of analytical instrumentation and associated hardware/software, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and other technologies; confers with information technology (IT), vendors, and staff about implementation and upgrades.

·       Represents City to outside agencies and organizations; participates in professional groups and committees; and acts as a technical and professional resource both internally and external to the organization.

·       Develops effective working relationships with state and federal regulators and auditors, vendors, clients, and consultants.

·       Conducts benchmarking surveys; assists in design and renovation of laboratory facilities; writes grant proposals; and administers grants awarded;

·       Performs other related job duties as assigned.

·       Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Software.

·       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.

·       Knowledge of operating and maintenance of specialized equipment and instrumentation used on the job.

·       Knowledge of sampling and laboratory protocols Skill in organization.

·       Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing.

·       Ability to supervise employees.

·       Ability to analyze and solve problems.

·       Ability to multi-task.

·       Desires certifications like assigned staff such as: NC Wastewater Analyst Certification I, II, III, and IV; NC Bacteriological certification for Total Coliforms and E. coli; and NC Pretreatment Grade II certification.

·       Desires completion of NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800.

·       Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school.

· Five (5) years of related work experience including one (1) year of supervisory experience.

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.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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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.

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to all employees.

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The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.