Inorganic Laboratory Supervisor

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua?  We have a great opportunity for an Inorganic Laboratory Supervisor based in our Bryn Mawr, PA office!

Supervise the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory  and oversee a staff of chemists and/or chemical technicians.  This is a working supervisor position which performs all the duties of a chemist.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities)

• Manages the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory team. Interviews, hires, sets high performance standards, and manages performance in accordance with all applicable HR policies and procedures.  Creates an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust and engagement.  Inspires confidence and motivates others to perform at their best.  Develops and coaches’ staff while effectively addressing performance issues.
• Generates high quality laboratory results within established timelines and schedules.  Coordinates the daily lab activities to ensure qualitative and quantitative results are delivered in accordance with service level agreements.  
• Provides direct support to Aqua Pennsylvania operations by prioritizing testing needs that impact system performance, regulatory compliance, and customer service. Ensures rapid turnaround times for critical samples and communicates proactively with operations teams.
• Partners closely with internal and external customers and vendors. 
• Reviews and approves all Inorganic lab results in accordance with risk and compliance processes, procedures, and standards.  
• Oversees the procurement of supplies and ensures the Inorganic Chemistry Section operates within budgetary allocations.  Updates and maintains annual expenses and submits invoices in accordance with company policies and procedures. 
• Audits Inorganic chemistry lab processes and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and standards. 
• Implements Quality Assurance/Quality Control for analytical methods.  Maintains lab certification through high level of QA/QC.  Keeps current with requirements of water and wastewater laboratory accreditation. 
• Seeks ways to continually improve analytical methods and processes within the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory.  This includes enhancing productivity for sample analysis, data entry into the LIMS, and report generation.
• Analyzes samples and records findings in accordance with departmental practices and procedures.
• Performs or leads other related activities as assigned

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

QUALIFICATIONS (Required Experience, Education, Licenses, and Certifications)

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry or a related field
• A minimum of four to seven years’ experience in an environmental or analytical laboratory. 
• Deep technical experience in the analysis of inorganic parameters for compliance and operational monitoring of water & wastewater.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient with laboratory instruments and techniques used in the analysis of water & wastewater.  Must be able to work safely in a laboratory environment.
• Proficient with computers and database administration. Familiarity with a Laboratory Information Management System is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal and external customers
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment                       

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform laboratory work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May be subject to variation in temperatures, noise, wet and/or humid conditions, mechanical, electrical, gas exposure hazards, dusts, mists, gases and/or poor ventilation atmospheric conditions.
• Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities and/or other constituents.

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.