Laboratory Services Supervisor

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At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued and innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

ABOUT AUSTIN WATER:
For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1,000,000 people in the Austin metropolitan area, across more than 548 square miles. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we’re not just keeping up-we’re leading the way with sustainable infrastructure, advanced treatment technology, and environmental innovation.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Job Description:

Laboratory Services Supervisor

Purpose:

Under general direction, supervise employees in laboratory services provided to electric generation facilities, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, or water quality testing functions.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
1. Trains personnel in performance of job tasks.
2. Assigns job duties and monitors task completion.
3. Develops and evaluates plans, criteria, etc. for variety of projects, programs activities, etc.
4.Coordinates division/section activities.
5. Assists in developing and revising operating procedures for the laboratory.
6. Assists in developing division/section budget.
7. Evaluates bid proposals and recommends selection to ensure cost effectiveness and compliance with specifications, standards, etc.
8.Reviews testing procedures, quality control programs, safety programs, and training programs.
9. Revises and approves specifications for technical instrumentation.
10. Interprets/explains/enforces state and federal procedures, for monitoring regulations and compliance.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection; training; evaluation; counseling and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of a variety of quantitative/qualitative analyses used in laboratory testing.
  
• Knowledge of research methodologies sufficient to develop and complete analysis of program activities.
  
• Knowledge of the industrial waste control methods.
  
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of basic laboratory procedures and equipment.
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws.
  
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software.
  
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  
• Skill in planning and organizing.
  
• Ability to evaluate and project immediate and long-term, time cost and material requirements.
  
• Ability to perform chemical tests and analyses.
  
• Ability to perform ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometry and gas chromatography.
  
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with city employees and the public.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Chemical, Environmental, or Biological Sciences including 24 hours of Chemistry.
OR
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or Environmental Sciences including 16 hours of Biology or microbiology and 16 hours of Chemistry.
PLUS
Six (6) years progressively responsible experience in a field related to drinking water or environmental water quality analyses, (2) two years of which were in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Valid Texas class "C" Driver's License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supervising employees in a water or wastewater environment lab including hiring, training, and performance evaluation
  
• Experience in developing and monitoring budgets
  
• Experience providing customer service in a lab environment
  
• Experience with Federal and State wastewater regulations
  
• Experience analyzing samples of a variety of matrices and types in a water/wastewater/environmental testing laboratory
  
• Experience using Laboratory Information Management System Database
  
• Experience as a Technical Director in a TNI accredited lab
  
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

This Supervisor position will be managing the day-to-day operations of Austin Water’s Environmental Analytical Services Laboratory (also known as the Walnut Creek Lab). This laboratory consists of 12 talented scientists that perform process control and regulatory testing on wastewater, soil/sludge samples, as well as some drinking water samples. This Laboratory consists of Microbiology, Chemistry, Organics, and Metals Laboratory sections. Your main customers will include the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the various small wastewater plants (remote package plants), other Austin Water customers (such as South Austin Regional, Hornsby Bend, Utility Compliance Services, etc...) and other City of Austin Departments (such as Aviation and Austin Energy). We are looking for a highly organized and motivated leader with experience in a fluctuating and non-routine workload lab setting.

Pay Range:

$75,930.00 - $96,430.00 annually

Position(s) will be filled at the following location:

7113 FM 969

Austin, TX 78724

(Austin Water Walnut Creek Plant)

This position will soon be permanently relocated to:

712 E. Huntland Dr.

Austin, TX 78752

Days and Hours:

Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. However, flexibility is required, as the role will occasionally require work outside of regular business hours to address escalations as needed.

Benefits:

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more - click HERE for more information. Additionally, this position offers a career progression plan, which provides a unique opportunity to promote without having to go through the competitive process. As employees go through on-the-job training to develop new skills and abilities and obtain the appropriate license, they are eligible to submit for Career Progression, which allows them to demonstrate knowledge and skills without having to interview for the promotion.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
• Provide each job title and accurate employment dates for all jobs included on the application.
• Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment and computer software used.
• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• A résumé is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• A criminal background investigation is required

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Critical Employee:

This position has been designated as critical for the City of Austin. Critical positions are necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. Work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees may be reassigned to another area to provide essential services to support any extraordinary situations or emergency conditions.

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
• Austin Water will review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

90-day Provision:

This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies that occur within the department.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO APPLICANTS:
Postings close at 12:00 a.m. on the listed End Date. All application steps - including document uploads and final submission - must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on the day prior to the End Date.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

Please note this posting may close any time after 7 days.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-03-11

• 

• City of Austin

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