Superintendent, Water Services Laboratories

Position Title: Superintendent, Water Services Laboratories

Position Status: Full-Time Regular

Department: Water Services

Employee Group: Exempt

Location: Lake City Operations Centre, Burnaby

Salary Range/ Wage Rate: Management / Leadership, Level M2 ($ – $ annually) (2024 wage rates)

Our Water Services Department is seeking a Superintendent, Water Services Laboratories who will manage a team of professional, technical and support staff in the operation of the Water Services Laboratories. This includes managing unionized staff in accordance with Metro Vancouver Policies and Procedures and the Collective Agreement, planning and managing work flow, hiring, performance evaluation, dealing with labour relations issues and setting and managing budgets.

You are a leader who is well versed in interpreting and analyzing laboratory data to internal and external stakeholders in accordance with guidelines and regulations. You possess a collaborative style of leadership and can build consensus all while working effectively with senior leadership, various committees and with internal and external stakeholders.

You have extensive experience with supervision of technical staff. You have proven knowledge of laboratory analyses in relation to water quality processes, budget management, and directing work flow within the various laboratories in Water Services. You demonstrate sound knowledge in the acquisition and supervision of staff, managing work flow, project planning, budget management and assures that QA/QC requirements are met in all aspects of laboratory work in accordance with the Divisional QA/QC program.

The Superintendent, Water Services Laboratories reports to the Program Manager, Quality Control.

• Manages a team of technical staff engaged in the operation of the Water Services laboratories including the Lake City microbiology laboratory, and the process laboratories at the Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant and the Coquitlam Water Treatment Plant.
• Contributes to preparing and managing the budget for the Water Services laboratories and is responsible for monitoring and controlling spending ensuring the effective and efficient expenditure of allocated funds. Contributes to short and long term planning.
• Ensures adequate systems and procedures are in place for the effective and efficient operation of the Water Services laboratories, which processes and tests water across several different matrices (drinking water, wastewater, receiving water (lake, rivers, beaches), and stormwater). Coordinates program and project priorities, leads technical investigations and assigns/schedules works to meet program objectives. Evaluates the performance of the laboratories systems and procedures and makes changes to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the laboratory.
• Monitors and evaluates laboratory results on an ongoing basis and implements the required level of response for unusual results with possible public health implications. Ensures critical data flows to all relevant parties in an effective and timely matter.
• Prepares and submits reports and ensures the accuracy of information provided. Investigates, resolves and accounts for anomalies in data collected and communicates regularly with water treatment plant and liquid waste managers as well as operational personnel regarding results.
• Works collaboratively with internal and external working groups on matters related to laboratory analysis and disinfection process parameters for drinking water. Liaises with member municipalities, regional health officials and other internal and external parties to provide technical information on matters such as the installation of new water mains, disinfection events, and microbiology water quality issues in the environment. Represents the division and Metro Vancouver during drinking water related emergencies in accordance with established response protocols.
• Ensures that the division’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) requirements are met in all aspects of the Water Services laboratories. Keeps current of issues and regulations affecting laboratory accreditation as well as overseeing QC process control and…