Water Treatment Lab Director

Distinguishing Features of Work

Safe drinking water starts long before it reaches the tap. As the Water Treatment Lab Director**, you will provide strategic leadership for the City's water treatment laboratory and oversee the scientific, operational, and regulatory functions that protect public health every day.

This highly visible leadership role directs laboratory operations, water quality programs, regulatory compliance, and technical staff while serving as the subject matter expert for water treatment processes and laboratory testing. You will use scientific expertise, data analysis, and operational leadership to ensure Wichita's drinking water consistently meets or exceeds federal and state standards.

You will work closely with treatment plant operations, maintenance, engineering, and distribution teams to drive continuous improvement, implement emerging technologies, strengthen quality assurance programs, and provide technical guidance that supports reliable water production for the community.

This position offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact on public health, environmental stewardship, and the City's critical water infrastructure.

Examples of Work Performed

• Maintains lab accreditations by KDHE and NELAC.
• Prepares budgets and controls expenditures of the water quality laboratory.
• Affords responsibilities of the Water Production and Supply Division Manager in their absence.
• Directs testing procedures to maintain approved water quality.
• Covers and trains water production, treatment, and maintenance staff regarding water quality.
• Trains and audits staff in other divisions regarding water quality.
• Directs, trains, and supervises Water Quality Specialists.
• Determines most effective means to accomplish projects and tasks.
• Coordinates with Plant Management for water production quality assurance.
• Provides quality control and evaluation of all test procedures.
• Manages equipment maintenance, repairs, and replacement.
• Writes specifications and orders materials, supplies and equipment and ensures adequate inventories are maintained.
• Directs operation, quality control, and maintenance of sophisticated laboratory instruments such as, Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer, Ion Chromatography, Total Organic Carbon Analyzer, and Mercury Analyzer.
• Uses sophisticated statistical techniques to evaluate laboratory testing methods, and quality.
• Interacts with local, state, and federal agencies and the local medical community related to the health of a population of 500,000.
• Interacts with consultants, vendors, businesses, and private citizens.
• Conducts research and provides consultative services as needed.
• Reviews and recommends additions or changes in personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials.
• Maintains records of laboratory operations and maintenance.
• Submits reports of water quality as required.
• Investigates, corrects, records, and reports on health impacts of water supply.
• Implements safety regulations and assures conformance.
• Assures compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Develops specifications for and is responsible for the procurement of treatment chemical supplies.
• Responds to water quality problems and coordinates appropriate corrective actions with the Water Plant Manager.
• Ultimately responsible for reporting problems and recommendations to the Senior Division Manager.
• Completion of work assignments may require the operation of a vehicle.

Requirements of Work

• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of operating a sophisticated laboratory.
• Must have access to, and use of, a communication device, such as a phone, capable of communicating by voice, text and e-mail. The city will pay the employee a phone allowance.
• Thorough knowledge of water quality and environmental standards regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of biology, bacteriology, and chemistry.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory methods, equipment, and supervision.
• Extensive knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information.
• Read and comprehend complex environmental regulations and scientific studies.
• Understand and apply safety regulations and assure conformance.