Water Laboratory Manager

Water Laboratory Manager

Salary

$137,737.60 - $184,579.20 Annually

Location

All Locations - San Luis Obispo County, CA

Job Type

Permanent - Salary

Job Number

0626PM-300926-01

Department

Public Works

Division

40511 PW Water Quality Lab

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

About the Position

The County of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department is offering a career opportunity for a Water Laboratory Manager. This is a single-position management has overall responsibility for the administration, regulatory compliance, operational oversight, quality assurance, and supervision of the County's Water Quality Laboratory (WQL). The position includes overseeing Senior Chemists that supervise technical staff, provide laboratory services, and water quality management for all the Public Works operated water, wastewater and recycled water systems and those of several other communities.

The WQL is certified by the State of Californias Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). The WQL also provides sampling, compliance reporting, watershed monitoring and technical support services for all of the County-led systems, and supports compliance for the County stormwater program and a closed landfill. It includes working with the other managers in the Department at a leadership level to ensure the effective operation of all systems and programs that need water quality laboratory services.

TYPICAL TASKS AND REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Plans, organizes, directs, and oversees all activities and operations of the Water Quality Laboratory to ensure efficient, effective, and compliant laboratory services.
• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees; recommends appointments, reassignments, and disciplinary actions; assigns and reviews work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with policies and performance standards.
• Develops and administers laboratory budgets, including forecasting operational needs, monitoring expenditures, evaluating resource allocation, and approving procurement of equipment, materials, supplies, and services.
• Develops, implements, evaluates, and updates laboratory policies, procedures, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols.
• Oversees and maintains compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, accreditation requirements, and reporting obligations related to laboratory operations, including Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) standards.
• Monitors changes in legislation, regulations, industry standards, and emerging technologies related to water quality, laboratory operations, and treatment processes; evaluates operational and regulatory impacts and recommends appropriate actions to maintain compliance and improve effectiveness.
• Coordinates with Department management, engineers, operations personnel, regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders regarding water quality issues, treatment operations, compliance initiatives, and laboratory services.
• Directs and participates in the preparation, review, and submission of technical reports, compliance documentation, operational data, and regulatory reports to local, state, and federal agencies in accordance with established requirements and deadlines.
• Oversees staff responsible for the laboratory quality assurance program to ensure analytical methods, instrumentation, testing procedures, and laboratory practices produce accurate, reliable, and defensible results.
• Oversees staff responsible for laboratory instrumentation maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and quality control activities to ensure proper operating parameters and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
• Evaluates laboratory operations and implements improvements to service delivery methods, procedures, technologies, and operational efficiencies.
• Coordinates with water and wastewater treatment operations personnel regarding laboratory testing requirements and training necessary to support compliant and efficient plant operations.
• Responds to inquiries, complaints, and technical questions from regulatory agencies, outside organizations, County staff, and the public regarding water quality and laboratory-related matters.
• Supports stormwater compliance activities in accordance with the County's Stormwater Management Program (SWMP), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), and related regulatory requirements.
• Develops and administers grants, contracts, consultant agreements, and related funding or procurement activities.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Please note this recruitment is contingent upon Board of Supervisors approval of the classification and salary, scheduled for July 7, 2026.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:

a) be service and action oriented;

b) understand the technical methodologies associated with water quality data collection, testing and analysis;

c) have experience with supporting water and wastewater systems; and

d) understand the institutional, regulatory and financial considerations associated with successful water quality management and laboratory services.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, and laboratory science as related to water and wastewater analysis
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and accreditation requirements governing water quality laboratory operations, including Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) requirements
• Methods, standards, regulations, and reporting requirements established by the Environmental Protection Agency, California State Water Resources Control Board, California Department of Public Health, and other regulatory agencies related to drinking water, wastewater, surface water, groundwater, recycled water, biosolids, stormwater, and related functions
• Principles and practices of laboratory quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) programs and procedures
• Laboratory instrumentation, analytical methods, calibration procedures, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting techniques
• Principles and practices of public agency budgeting, procurement, contract administration, and financial planning
• Principles and practices of operational planning, program evaluation, and continuous organizational improvement
• Safe work practices and procedures applicable to laboratory and water quality operations
• Effective verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Principles, practices, and procedures of supervision, leadership, mentoring, training, team dynamics, team building, and performance evaluation

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, direct, and oversee laboratory operations and staff in an effective and efficient manner
• Analyze and interpret laboratory, operational, and regulatory data and make sound recommendations and decisions
• Understand, evaluate, and apply laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Develop, implement, and maintain laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs and procedures
• Prepare, administer, and monitor laboratory budgets, contracts, grants, and procurement activities
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, technical reports, regulatory documentation, and other written materials
• Evaluate operational needs and implement improvements to laboratory services, systems, procedures, and processes
• Effectively represent the County in interactions with regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, outside organizations, and the public
• Utilize software including those applications specific to the laboratory
• Promote an organized, professional, and safety-conscious work environment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing to a diverse population of individuals and groups
• Foster effective and positive working relationships with individuals from diverse perspectives by demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, effective communication, advisory expertise, mediation, conflict resolution, and consensus building

Education & Experience

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, or a closely related field. In addition, six years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater laboratory testing, including at least two years of supervisory, lead, or administrative responsibility in a laboratory setting.

Licenses and Certificates

Possession of a valid State of California Department of Public Health Water Treatment Operator Grade 2 (T2) certification or higher within 6 months of appointment. The 6-month requirement to obtain a T2 certification may be extended up to 12 months by the appointing authority. Sustained certification including any required continuing education units is mandatory for continued employment. Failure to obtain and maintain the required certifications within the time stated will result in removal from the position unless a time extension is approved by the appointing authority.

A valid California driver's license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

How to Apply

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.

Your attached resume will not substitute for the completion of the application. Please complete all required fields and supplemental questions. Be advised that while use of AI is common practice, we want to see your individual style and critical thinking skills in your answers to the supplemental questions.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

Veterans Preference Points

If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veterans preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. Click here for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

Make a Difference

Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.

Compensation and Benefits

Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

In general, temporary employees are not eligible for County-sponsored benefits and may have limited benefit options available to them. For more information on benefit eligibility, please e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us.

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated Benefits-At-A-Glance webpage (click here for link).

Some benefits include:

• Medical (PPO, EPO, HDHP), Dental (HMO, PPO) and Vision Insurance
• Health enhancing programs such as Hinge Health, GIThrive and Carrum Health for medical enrollees.
• Cafeteria (County contribution to pay for insurance premiums)
• Free visits to the employee health clinic
• Mental Health resources/benefits including Headspace
• Voluntary insurance plans (life insurance, disability, critical illness and many more)
• A lifelong retirement benefit through the San Luis Obispo County Pension Trust
• Optional deferred compensation plan with up to $500 per year match (depending on bargaining unit)
• Tax savings accounts (medical and dependent care)
• Paid personal, sick and vacation days
• 12 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program
• Education and Wellness Allowance
• Post Employment Health Plan
• Family Friendly workplace policies
• Flexible work schedule options
• Rideshare commuter benefits
• Pet Insurance

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through: childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates:

The Countys pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions:

The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.

To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria), visit the Cafeteria Rates webpage (click here for link).

Learning and Development

The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.

Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Supervisor/Manager academies
• Microsoft Suite courses
• Defensive Driving
• Financial management
• Retirement preparedness
• Teambuilding
• Written Communication
• Conflict Management
• Clifton StrengthsFinder and DISC
• Job specific conferences/trainings

Student Loan Forgiveness

Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.

Homebuyer assistance program

Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by Golden State Finance Authority (click here for link to more information) to get a loan for the down payment.

01

Describe your experience with water quality as it relates to this position.

02

Describe your management style and approach to leading teams and developing staff.

03

Provide a combination of 2-3 examples of how specific professional experiences and personal strengths have prepared you to be successful in this position

Required Question

Employer County of San Luis Obispo

Address 1055 Monterey Street

Suite D-250

San Luis Obispo, California, 93408

Phone 805-781-5959

Website http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/