Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor, Zone 7

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.

Supplemental Questionnaire : A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.

APPLICATIONS AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THIS RECRUITMENT WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ONLINE.

DESCRIPTION

THE AGENCY

Zone 7 Water Agency is located in the Tri-Valley region of the eastern San Francisco Bay Area. It provides water on a wholesale basis to the cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon, and flood-protection services to all of eastern Alameda County. Zone 7 employs approximately 116 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $80.3 million dollars. The Agency’s administrative offices are located in Livermore, CA, the easternmost city of Alameda County, which is bordered by Contra Costa County to the north and San Joaquin County to the east. Livermore, California’s oldest wine region, is known for the science and technology of its national laboratories, a historic downtown area, and the surrounding farmlands and ranches that mirror the Valley’s western heritage.

Zone 7 employees are committed to providing a reliable supply of high-quality water and an effective flood control system to the Livermore-Amador Valley in a fiscally responsible, innovative, proactive and environmentally sensitive way. We invite you to acquaint yourself with our dynamic Agency and its exciting employment opportunities.

For more information regarding the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 please visit their website at www.zone7water.com.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, to plan, organize, and supervise the staff and operations of Zone 7 Water Agency's (Zone 7) water quality laboratory; to ensure maintenance of the laboratory's certification; to assist the Water Operations Section and other Zone 7 units in matters related to water quality; and to perform related duties as required.

The Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor, Zone 7 classification is located in Zone 7 Water in the Engineering Department and reports to the Water Quality Manager, Zone 7. This is a first-line supervisory classification, designated as the Laboratory Technical Manager, with overall responsibility for the operation, certification, and supervision of Zone 7's water quality laboratory. This classification is distinguished from the higher-level classification of Water Quality Manager in that the former has managerial responsibility and oversight of both the Water Quality Laboratory and Water Quality Engineering sections.

For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor, Zone 7 (#4952)

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled and experienced professional with a strong background in laboratory operations, regulatory compliance, and staff supervision.

In addition to the minimum qualifications, the Water Quality Laboratory Supervisor will possess:

• Proficiency in sophisticated analytical techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, atomic absorption, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
• Extensive experience in laboratory quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) to ensure compliance with ELAP and The NELAC Institute (TNI) standards.
• Experience overseeing all analytical and operational activities of the laboratory, including supervision of personnel and ensuring the accuracy and quality of all reported data.
• Knowledge of laboratory safety protocols, hazardous material handling, and best practices for maintaining a safe and efficient laboratory environment.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills, with experience in staff training, performance management, and fostering a collaborative work environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working with internal teams, regulatory agencies, and external partners to address water quality concerns.

The selected candidate will play a critical role in maintaining laboratory accreditation, ensuring high-quality water testing, and upholding ELAP compliance to support public health and environmental protection.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

THE MINIMUM PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION TO THE COMPETITIVE ASSESSMENT PROCESS INCLUDE:

EITHER I

Experience : The equivalent of two (2) years of full-time experience in the classification of Water Quality Chemist, Zone 7 in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Education : Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemistry, microbiology, or a similar science, which included courses in analytical chemistry.

AND

Experience : The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience as a chemist in a water quality or closely related laboratory operation, which included organic, inorganic, trace metal, microbiological testing, and analytical procedures.

Certification : Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Laboratory Analyst certification or CA-NV/American Water Works Association Water Quality Analyst certification.

License : Possession of a valid California driver's license.

NOTE : The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of :

• Supervisory practices, including planning, organizing, scheduling, and assigning work, training, and performance appraisal.
• Principles of organic and inorganic chemistry and basic microbiology.
• Methods and techniques of chemical, physical, and microbiological water quality testing and analysis, including wet chemical techniques, atomic absorption and emission, flow injection, and gas and liquid chromatography.
• Operation, testing, calibration, minor maintenance, and set up of sophisticated water quality laboratory equipment, including computer-operated equipment.
• American Water Works Association, EPA, California Department of Health Services, and other standards and regulations applicable to water quality testing, record keeping, reporting, and compliance.
• Statistics and computer applications applicable to water quality laboratory work.
• Laboratory precautions and safe working practices.

Ability to :

• Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of professional laboratory staff.
• Perform standard and non-routine chemistry and microbiological testing and analysis.
• Read, interpret, and comply with extensive regulations pertaining to laboratory operations and maintenance of certification.
• Conduct special studies and coordinate with/provide support to operations, engineering, and other Zone 7 departments.
• Analyze complex technical and operational issues, evaluate alternatives, and select appropriate courses of action.
• Coordinate with and represent the laboratory to other water organizations, regulatory agencies, distributors, and the public.
• Prepare and review records, reports, and correspondence.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

• A review of applicants' application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
• A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process. This is a pass/fail exam component.
• An oral examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates' final examination score. The oral examination may be administered virtually and contain situational exercises.

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.

For more information on the Civil Service Selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN Deadline for Filing: 5:00:00 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025 Review of Minimum Qualifications: Week of March 31, 2025 Notification to non-qualified applicants ONLY: By April 4, 2025 Review of Questionnaire for Best Qualified: Week of April 21, 2025 Civil Service Oral Examination:* Week of May 5, 2025 Notification of Exam Results: Week of May 12, 2025 TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN Department Selection Process: Late May 2025
*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification. Candidates selected to participate in the oral exam will receive an email notification at least 10 business days in advance of the exam date.

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN

Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employees discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well-being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical - HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental - HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1 st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add@jobaps.com, acgov.org, Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org, and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jobaps.com and Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs . You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Erika Beams, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
Analyst Email Address Link: Erika.Beams@acgov.org | Phone: 510-272-6393
www.acgov.org/hrs

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.

Closing Date/Time: 3/28/2025 5:00:00 PM

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• County of Alameda

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