SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, OPT 4 (MANAGER, DIVISION OF LABORATORY)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is seeking a highly qualified Division Manager  to lead its statewide laboratory. This position is responsible for critical analyses of surface water, drinking water, soil, and fish, which directly impacts public health and safety and supports program operations across the Agency. The Manager for the Division of Laboratory will supervise technical and support personnel; direct daily operations of the laboratory;  oversee IEPA’s Laboratory Accreditation Program; meet federal and state regulations; and comply with safety practices and with quality control and assurance standards.  The ideal candidate will be an effective and resourceful administrator and a strong collaborator who has significant experience in managing an environmental laboratory.

The benefits of working at the EPA include a 37 ½  hour work week, a generous salary and benefits package (paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, holidays) pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and insurance eligibility on day one (medical, dental, vision, and life).

We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

Serves as the Manager of Division of Laboratory, for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA):
• Plans, reviews, develops and directs the State-wide laboratory system comprised of professional and technical personnel.
• Directs the allocation of resources between various types of analyses for detecting pollution in surface water, public water supplies, soil, and fish
• Recommends, establishes, and implements agency laboratory policies.
• Directs an assertive safety program and ensures compliance with accepted standards.
• Maintains laboratory accreditations from USEPA and the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Council (TNI).
As laboratory Manager, directs laboratory resources for maximum utilization in response to needs of the Agency and various external clientele within the capabilities of the laboratory.
• Establishes priorities for laboratory projects
• Assumes responsibility for the physical lab facility
• Reviews demonstrations of capabilities to confirm that staff have the necessary training and experience to perform their analytical duties.
• Coordinates with Fiscal in developing the laboratory budget, tracking accounts receivable, and preparing and managing contracts related to Laboratory support.
• Manages the Community Water Supply Testing Program, including the generation of IEPA Lab annual testing rates
• Prepares long range forecasts for equipment, other capital, and staffing requirements.
Serves as full-line Supervisor to technical and professional Laboratory staff:
• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves time off
• Adjusts first level grievances
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations
• Determines and recommends staffing needs
Directs and oversees staff administering the IEPA’s Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP).
• Participates in research and reporting activities of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) to ensure accurate assessments are conducted with in-state and out-of-state laboratories.
• Oversees the IEPA’s LAP to ensure laboratories operating within the state meet applicable standards required to perform environmental analyses.
Directs and oversees staff administering the Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) Program.
• Administers a preventive maintenance, standardization, and calibration program
• Selects, develops, and applies highly-complex laboratory methods to generate accurate data
• Confers with Agency and non-agency management personnel to ensure quality and productivity.
Serves as technical expert and represents the Agency on laboratory matters with other regulatory agencies, professional associations, and other appropriate groups.
• Provides expert testimony before courts or public hearings
• Provides technical consultation to Agency program managers
• Complies with approved analytical methods, and with federal, or other state regulations for laboratory operations.
• Travels in performance of duties.
Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to (4) four years of college with coursework in chemistry.
• Requires (4) four years of progressively responsible administrative work experience in environmental laboratory sciences.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers possession of a Bachelor of Science, with a minimum of 32 hours of chemistry or a Master’s degree in Chemistry.
2. Prefers at least (4) years of experience in supervising technical and professional staff in a laboratory setting.
3. Prefers at least (4) years of experience analyzing and implementing administrative procedures and standards pertaining to the operation of a laboratory.
4. Prefers at least (4) years of experience developing and implementing long term plans pertaining to equipment purchasing, employee training and retention, and regulatory compliance.
5. Prefers at least (4) years of experience building a team and developing and maintaining a harmonious working environment.
6. Prefers at least (4) years of experience preparing comprehensive reports, memoranda, and correspondence in a clear and concise manner.
7. Prefers knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act analyses and Safe Drinking Water Information Systems (SDWIS).
8. Prefers knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).
9. Prefers college coursework in microbiology and/or experience in microbiological analysis.
10. Prefers the ability to utilize a personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Word, Access and Excel software.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to travel occasionally.
2. Requires a valid & current driver's license.
3. Requires ability to pass a name-based background check.
4. Requires ability to work at various times outside of normal office hours to meet deadlines.
5. Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
6. Requires ability to carry an agency supplied cell phone.
7. This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary
of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
8. Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
*The condition of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.