The City of Santa Rosa's Water Department is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Supervising Laboratory Analyst. We invite you to join the team at the City where you can be part of a dynamic, customer-centric, collaborative, diverse, inclusive and knowledgeable organization committed to facilitating a thriving community by providing excellent customer service.
The City of Santa Rosa is committed to building a workforce reflective of our community and establishing a lasting culture of equity and belonging within our organization. Our collective talents and expertise contribute to high-quality public services that support a vibrant, resilient, inclusive City for our community and visitors. We celebrate a diverse workforce and welcome all qualified candidates to apply.
THE BENEFITS OF CITY EMPLOYMENT:
12 paid holidays annually, plus 1 to 3 'floating holidays' per year, depending on start date and years of service
Flexible schedule (9/80 or 5/8) with management approval
4% cost of living increase approved for July 2025 and July 2026
$500 annually for wellness
Unlimited free bus rides on CityBus and Sonoma County Transit
The City is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualifying employer
ABOUT THE POSITION:
Supervising Laboratory Analyst is the first line supervisory classification in the Laboratory Analyst series. Under general direction, incumbents develop, implement and perform a variety of complex chemical and physical laboratory analyses of water, wastewater sludges/soils and plant tissue at the Laguna Environmental Laboratory. Incumbents directly supervise Laboratory Analysts, other technical or professional staff and may coordinate the technical implementation of the Quality Assurance Program as assigned.
THE CURRENT VACANCY:
The Supervising Laboratory Analyst assigned to support the technical implementation of the Quality Assurance program for the advanced instrumentation laboratory, in addition to the essential duties, the candidate will perform the following:
Quality Assurance:
Reviews and updates laboratory standard operating procedures as needed.
Review laboratory practices against standard operating procedures to assure accuracy and completeness per current regulations.
Prepares and reviews statistical analysis of quality control data, including development of internal quality control limits.
Reviews laboratory calculations for accuracy including formulas in electronic bench sheets and LIMS.
Assists with completion of routine and lab assessment related corrective actions.
Assists laboratory staff with troubleshooting quality control related issues.
Reviews chain of custody records for accuracy and completeness.
Reviews and validates all types of laboratory data.
Assists with the development of continual improvement activities to enhance the laboratory quality system.
Reviews calibration logs, standard preparation logs and reagent logs for accuracy and completeness.
Reviews quality control charts and evaluates results against acceptance criteria.
Supports tracking and implementation of initial and ongoing demonstrations of capability for laboratory staff.
Assists with statistical analysis of various types of data as needed.
THE IDEAL CANDIATE:
The ideal candidate will have:
Significant experience with laboratory supervision, safety, & standards
Experience with quality assurance and the implementation of related programs
Exceptional interpersonal skills including experience mentoring subordinate staff and building & maintaining effective working relationships
Project management experience including meeting tight deadlines, working within budgets, working with outside contractors/vendors, working collaboratively with internal team and department heads, and delegation
Demonstrated an aptitude for being detail-oriented and highly organized
Demonstrate expertise in applying laboratory techniques and the operation of advanced instrumentation to conduct comprehensive analysis of metals and organic compounds in water, wastewater, soils, sludges, and plant tissue
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter.
Please complete a thoughtful, thorough Supplemental Questionnaire submission. As part of the selection process, your responses to these questions will be scored using criteria specific to this position. Incomplete responses, or responses such as "See Resume" can result in disqualification from the selection process.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
The selection process will include a minimum qualifications assessment, and may also include an application and supplemental questionnaire review, followed by department selection interviews.
Examples of Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties:
The following duties are considered essential for this job classification:
supervise, train and evaluate the work of assigned technical and professional staff
solve complex analytical problems
research and develop new tests
utilize a variety of sophisticated laboratory techniques and instrumentation for the analysis of metals and organics in water, wastewater, soils, sludges and plant tissue
maintain Laguna Environmental Lab’s quality assurance program
maintain detailed records, post analytical results on appropriate forms and prepare a variety of technical reports
review and validate analytical results
review and approve reports
create and maintain electronic bench sheets
manage projects
perform related duties as assigned
Additional Duties:
In addition to the duties listed in the Essential Duties Section, each employee in the classification may perform the following duties. Any single position may not be assigned all the duties below, nor do examples cover all duties which may be assigned.
maintain and repair laboratory equipment
prepare laboratory reagents
collect samples
perform related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Knowledge of: Principles and methods used in complex chemical, bacteriological and physical analyses, sampling techniques; methods and processes of wastewater treatment; analytical chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry; safe laboratory practices and procedures; principles and practices of supervising, training and evaluating personnel; and principles of laboratory quality assurance and quality control.
Ability to: Prepare and maintain a variety of complex technical records and reports; utilize complex equipment used in laboratory analyses; use independent judgment;; conduct research and develop new analytical procedures, troubleshoot, repair and maintain laboratory equipment; plan, organize, assign, and evaluate the work of assigned personnel; communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
Experience and Education: Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience - Sufficient years of increasingly responsible laboratory experience in the chemical, bacteriological and physical analysis of water and wastewater treatment processes, including one year of supervisory experience, to obtain the knowledge and abilities listed above; Education - Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, biology or a closely related field. A Grade IV Laboratory Analyst certificate as issued by the California Water Environment Association may be substituted for the required Bachelor’s degree.
License or Certificate:
This classification may require the use of a vehicle while conducting City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating a motor vehicle safely and possess a valid, Class C California driver’s license, or be able to demonstrate the ability to travel on scheduled or unscheduled visits to various City facilities or work locations which may or may not be reachable by public transportation.
Possession of a Grade IV Laboratory Analyst Certificate, as issued by the California Water Environment Association, is desirable.
Additional Information
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:
Incumbents in this classification routinely work with biological contaminates and various hazardous chemicals requiring the use of personal protective clothing and equipment. Some lifting and moving of objects such as sample containers weighting up to 50 pounds may be required when performing laboratory analyses. Also in connection with performing laboratory analyses, bending and stooping to retrieve samples weighing up to 50 pounds is common. When carrying supplies, incumbents walk over uneven and slippery surfaces as well as climb ladders and stairs. Incumbents use a computer terminal for data entry. Principal laboratory Analysts distinguish colors while conducting a variety of chemical tests, and respond to various audible alarms coming from testing equipment for the purpose of determining the completion of laboratory tests. It is common for incumbents to stand or sit for extended periods of time with the ability to move about at will. Individuals in the classification observe or monitor data and objects to comply with safety standards.
SANTA ROSA - A WONDERFUL CITY TO CALL HOME:
The City of Santa Rosa is nestled in the center of famous Sonoma Wine Country, located just 55 miles north of San Francisco and 30 miles east of the Pacific Ocean with a population of approximately 180,000. Santa Rosa serves as the County seat and the center of trade, government, commerce, and medical facilities for the North Bay. The surrounding area is home to over a hundred wineries and vineyards and many beautiful parks and recreational facilities, including golf courses. Santa Rosa is in the center of a nationally recognized cycling area. We boast many attractions associated with large cities, including a symphony, performing arts center, theater productions and internationally recognized restaurants, yet still retain the warmth and small town feel of decades past. Santa Rosa has been named one of the 50 greenest cities in the United States with one of the top five mid-sized downtowns in California.
The City of Santa Rosa is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
The City does not discriminate on the basis of disability in employment. Requests for reasonable accommodations needed to participate in the recruitment process may be made by submitting a Request for Reasonable Accommodation Form within five (5) business days of being noticed that an event requiring accommodation is occurring.