3H38

PAY RANGE: N28

LABORATORY DIRECTOR

(Health)

(Water)

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative and technical work at the managerial level, directing and coordinating a comprehensive laboratory program for a major City department. Employees in this class direct, through subordinate managers, policy and planning and the provision of laboratory services in their respective area of specialization. Contact with department officials and government and regulatory agency representatives is of major significance to the work. Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level administrator.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Both Specialties

Directs the establishment of quality control standards for laboratory operations; directs the establishment and revision of laboratory procedures, methods and techniques; analyzes and revises existing laboratory structures and functions.

Evaluates operations and staffing of laboratories to provide optimum level of services for other divisions and to minimize expenditures; prepares reports on operations; confers with subordinate managers and supervisors and reviews reports and results of laboratory analyses; recommends revisions in laboratory operation, staffing and procedures; directs the implementation of recommendations; evaluates equipment and products and recommends approval or disapproval of purchases.

Confers with other division administrators to coordinate provision of laboratory services; meets with representatives of other City departments to coordinate provision of laboratory services; represents the department at professional conferences and meetings; keeps abreast of developments in field; prepares periodic statistical and narrative reports for other governmental agencies.

Testifies in court as expert witness to explain laboratory findings and results.

Directs the preparation of operating and capital budgets for laboratories; determines the number and kind of personnel and equipment needed to complete testing functions; establishes work standards, procedures and policies; directs the orientation, training and development of employees; negotiates contracts; prepares statistical and narrative reports on laboratory activities; directs the establishment and operation of a comprehensive laboratory safety and hygiene plan, covering all activities of the laboratory organization.

Determines necessity and feasibility for placing certain tests on contract and determines qualifications of outside laboratories to perform the work; evaluates test results submitted by outside laboratories.

Performs related work as required.

Water Specialty

Plans, directs and coordinates, through subordinate supervisory engineers, scientists and chemists, a staff of engineers, scientific, technical and support personnel engaged in the provision of all laboratory services for the Water Department; plans and directs laboratory and field studies and research projects; plans and directs the testing of a wide variety of materials used in construction for all City departments; oversees analytical services which include trace organics, trace metals, nutrients and other inorganics, bacteria, algae and protozoa, in situ bioassessments, physical properties of materials, chemical and performance characteristics of materials and products, etc.

Confers with other Water Department Division administrators to coordinate provision of laboratory services; meets with representatives of other City departments to coordinate provision of materials testing laboratory services; represents the department at professional conferences and meetings.

Determines the necessity of contracting private consultants and academic institutions to perform research projects.

Directs, through subordinates, and in consultation with Facilities Management, the operation and maintenance and capital planning for the central laboratory facility and satellite laboratories; directs, through subordinate management, the Analytical Quality Assurance program for all Water Department laboratories, including treatment plant control laboratories and contract laboratories; directs research related to water, wastewater or watershed quality and/or treatment; analytical methods; quality and suitability of materials; reasons for product or component failure, etc; develops and maintains collaborative working relationships with other researchers, funding agencies and stakeholders.

Directs, through subordinates, compliance with monitoring regulations under the federal and state Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and other pertinent laws, including program elements such as laboratory certifications, sampling and field analysis in-stream biological assessments of regional watersheds, water quality monitoring of waterways, and monitoring of Philadelphia’s fisheries. Directs laboratory analysis of drinking water, source waters, wastewater, industrial wastes and related media, and electronic and paper reporting; directs participation in regulatory development in partnership with state and national organizations and regulatory agencies; directs the sampling programs and IT services to support the above testing requirements. Directs PWD’s approval of water mains for release according to PWD’s W-22 specification.

Directs the selection and/or development and operation of a comprehensive Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS.)

Directs, through subordinates, the City's drinking water quality program, including collection and analysis of samples, development and operation of continuous, on-line water quality monitoring program, surveillance and response system with response to reported water quality problems and customer complaints, investigations of water quality conditions, recommendations for water quality improvement.

Directs the maintenance of the Bureau of Laboratory Services as an accredited laboratory under the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 252.

Directs, through subordinate management, the Water Department's Quality Certification Program (QCP) for assuring the quality of materials and supplies used in the City’s plants and infrastructure.

Health Specialty

Plans, assigns, and directs, through subordinate supervisors, the work of employees engaged in the physical, chemical, biochemical and biological testing of clinical laboratory samples, including patient and selected environmental samples; directs, through subordinate supervisors, design of laboratory workflow processes and laboratory testing schedules to ensure timely delivery of test results.

Directs the development, implementation and ongoing operations of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to support the delivery of laboratory services; ensures that laboratory methods and testing systems provide quality services and results across the path of workflow for all phases of testing.

Directs the implementation of quality assessment programs to identify failures in quality as they occur; oversees short and long term planning and organization of all technical aspects of the Public Health Laboratory; ensures that the Public Health Laboratory, its affiliate laboratories and point-of-care (POC) test sites meet the requirements for the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification; ensures that all requirements established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health are followed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Both Specialties

· current state and federal standards and regulations for the operation of a laboratory in area of specialization

· laboratory equipment and laboratory information systems

· laboratory management theory, principles and practices, including selection of equipment, assignment of personnel and determination of priorities

· administrative principles and practices

· principles, practices and methods of chemistry, microbiology or other sciences used in conducting various laboratory analyses, tests and research

· program planning and evaluation

· the rules of evidence and methods used in presenting evidence in court

· budget preparation

· methods of supervision and management

Health Specialty

· principles, practices and methods of clinical sciences used in conducting various laboratory analyses, tests and research

· requirements for assuring compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

· principles and standard procedures for assuring laboratory biosafety, infection control practices, and managing infectious waste

· quality standards for laboratory testing performed on specimens from humans, such as blood, body fluid and tissue, for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease, or assessment of health as defined by the clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA)

Water Specialty

· engineering and administrative methods and techniques required in the direction of environmental and material testing laboratories

· the methods, techniques and equipment used in the physical and chemical testing of a wide variety of construction and maintenance materials

· the methods, techniques and equipment used in water pollution control and water laboratories

· principles, practices and methods of environmental engineering and science used in conducting various laboratory analyses, evaluations, and research

· laboratory accreditation and safety requirements

· Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Acts’ requirements and standards

ABILITY TO:

Both Specialties

• plan, direct and coordinate the work of a staff engaged in the provision of various laboratory services

• evaluate and formulate laboratory procedures, policies, and techniques

• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing

• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, manufacturers, industry associations, departmental officials and government agency representatives

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/21.)

Health Specialty:

EDUCATION:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in clinical laboratory science, medical technology, chemistry, biology, biochemistry, or other closely related scientific field.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Three years of clinical laboratory experience.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Three years of supervisory clinical laboratory experience which has included:

· directing the activities of staff engaged in tests and analyses in the City’s public health laboratory

· managing laboratory information systems for the City’s ambulatory health care clinics

NOTE: HEALTH SPECIALTY ONLY: Completion of a master’s degree program at an accredited college or university in one of the fields listed under the education above may substitute for two years of the general experience.

Water Specialty

EDUCATION:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in chemical, civil, or environmental engineering, analytical chemistry, environmental science, or related field.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Three years of engineering, chemistry or environmental science laboratory experience or drinking water quality compliance monitoring and testing experience.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Three years of managerial engineering, chemical or biological testing or research experience in the Bureau of Laboratory Services.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources, which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area as an educational minimum and the Specific Experience.

NOTE: In accordance with PA Department of Environmental Protection Chapter 252.302 requirements, specific positions in the Bureau of Laboratory Services must have completed the required specific experience in a laboratory performing analyses in a field of accreditation to represent the laboratories as Lead Supervisor, or must maintain a PA Certified Operator’s License.

City of Philadelphia class that typically meets the specific experience requirement:

· Administrative Scientist (3H79)

· Materials Testing Laboratory Manager (3B58)

· Water Engineering Projects Assistant Manager (3B83)

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATION, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

HEALTH SPECIALTY ONLY:

Certification as a Medical Technology by the American Medical Technologist (AMT) or certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist or a Medical Technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) prior to appoint and during tenure of employment as a Laboratory Director.

Class Established: 4/82

Spec. Revision:

CSC - 03/04

Ad. Board - 05/04

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 5/18

Ad. Board – 6/18

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 5/21

Ad. Board – 6/21