Job description
At Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc., we know that water is a precious resource – one that plays a critical role in sustaining life. That’s why we take seriously our mission: protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource. At Aqua, we are guided by a set of principles that embody the character of our company and inspire our work together. They are embedded within our business practices and our behavior. We are proud to be united by integrity, respect and the pursuit of excellence to be the best we can be for the customers and communities we serve.
Together, the women and men of Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc. serve 1 million customers across eight states. Aqua uses science, technology, capital investments, and amazing talent to provide communities with clean, safe drinking water and responsibly return wastewater to our rivers and streams. Join our team and make a difference!
JOB SUMMARY:
Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua? We have a great opportunity for a
Water Quality Director at our facility in Bryn Mawr, PA. This person will direct laboratory resources throughout the company as well as activities that include managing the Central Water Quality Laboratory & staff; this person will also ensure that we secure laboratory certifications across our multi-state footprint by overseeing the central lab’s compliance testing & reporting for internal & external clients (up to and including the distribution of technical content as well as completing Consumer Confidence Reports [CCR's] in a timely manner). This position also designs, develops, and implements our annual laboratory business plan.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- Direct lab operations to ensure optimal utilization of laboratory resources throughout the company; these activities include developing & implementing accurate, reliable and efficient testing methods / procedures.
- Make decisions on the implementation of testing methods and the purchase of analytical instrumentation to maximize efficiency, reliability, and accuracy.
- Manage the Central Water Quality Laboratory; this involves overseeing the Section Chiefs in Microbiology, Research Chemists, as well as Organic and Inorganic Chemistry.
- Direct the writing and updating of QA/QC documentation; this includes our Quality Assurance Plan and Standard Operation Procedures [SOP’s].
- Oversee Central Water Quality Laboratory compliance testing & reporting for internal & external clients, including review and filing of accurate reports to regulatory agencies in a timely manner.
- Work with our Treatment Department and Quality Assurance to develop and implement sampling schedules that comply with monitoring & reporting requirements; this involves communicating / coordinating with appropriate regulatory agencies (as required for lab notification requirements).
- Provide technical content and assist with timely completion of CCR's for the Company; this involves working with the Public Relations [PR] department and Regional Environmental Compliance Managers on the design of the CCR’s as well as the logistics of distribution as we regularly certify compliance with applicable regulations for all systems (including those that are not explicitly delegated to others); this may also lead to improving efficiency and reducing costs related to production & distribution of CCR’s, where possible and appropriate.
- Work with the QA Coordinator to secure and maintain laboratory certification in multiple states; this entails ensuring compliance with good laboratory practices and with all requirements for obtaining / maintaining laboratory certification by overseeing / reviewing / performing internal audits to ensure compliance and establishing procedures for assuring the quality of data produced by the laboratory.
- Develop and implement a laboratory business plan for the Central Laboratory and for the Company that grows revenue and minimizes total cost of laboratory testing services.
- Assist with reviewing proposed and promulgated rules from regulatory agencies relating to laboratory testing, compliance, and reporting (under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act and other relevant regulations; this involves determining their impact on laboratory operations).
- Ensure essential records / files of data & supporting documentation are updated and maintained; this also involves safeguarding confidential material as well as making decisions on the selection, implementation, utilization, and maintenance of a Laboratory Information Management System [LIMS] to efficiently store and retrieve laboratory data.
- Consult with and provides advice / guidance to the Director of Environmental Compliance or Chief Environmental Officer about water quality or laboratory issues / problems (with a specific focus on issues affecting compliance).
- Prepare capital and operating budgets for the Laboratory and Research departments.
- Lead the Central Water Quality Laboratory team; this includes interviewing, hiring, setting high performance standards, and managing performance in accordance with all applicable HR policies & procedures to create an energized work environment that fosters an atmosphere that enables employee trust & engagement while inspiring confidence and motivating others to perform at their best; this involves developing and coaching staff while effectively addressing performance issues.
- Serve as Radiation Safety Officer and Chemical Hygiene Officer for the Central Water Quality Laboratory.
- Perform and/or lead other activities & initiatives, as directed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduate degree in a Science-oriented field of study (preferably Chemistry, Microbiology, or Environmental Science); PhD is preferred.
- 10+ years of professional experience working with laboratory-oriented roles; experience working with water quality testing is preferred.
- At least one year of professional experience serving in a Laboratory Leadership role.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of the methods, techniques and equipment used in water pollution control and drinking water laboratories; state certifications for relevant methods are preferred.
- Proven ability to work well under pressure.
- Proven ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- A Team Player demeanor with the ability to work effectively and multi-task in a team-fostered environment.
- Proven ability to provide leadership on laboratory issues; this involves the ability to take action/initiative, provide team development, demonstrate ethics, and pursue the achievement of team goals.
- Strategic vision to develop the needs of the lab & organization to meet upcoming requirements and position us for future success / opportunity while managing risks effectively.
- Proven ability to execute efforts to measure, manage, and improve lab efficiency, productivity, quality, and capability.
- Emotional Intelligence to manage and improve interpersonal relationships for a strong team culture.
- Strong customer service skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills; this person will be expected to communicate effectively with internal & external customers.
- Proven ability to communicate with employees, subordinates, and external stakeholders (such as other parts of the company, vendors, manufacturers, officers, public officials, and government representatives).
- Proven negotiation skills with employees, contractors, consultants, vendors, and regulators.
- Proven coaching skills to improve employee performance, skills, and development.
Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc.
is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc.
is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call
(1-877-271-9012).
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