Laboratory Supervisor (Ventura Water)

Application submissions are managed exclusively on the City of Ventura career site. To ensure your application and materials are submitted in a timely and complete manner, please apply through https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Jobs. Submissions through other websites &/or methods will not be accepted.

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. Open until filled.

First Review of Applications: Monday, October 27, 2025.

Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as this position may close without notice.

Pay & Benefits

• $104,983.64 - $140,679.14 Annually DOQ

• Benefits

  • Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options)

  • City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance

  • Vacation & Holiday Compensation

  • Deferred Compensation

  • CalPERS Retirement

  • Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay

A New Opportunity and what you’ll do…

The City of Ventura has an exciting opportunity to join the Ventura Water Department as a Laboratory Supervisor.

If you’re an experienced laboratory professional with a passion for environmental science, regulatory compliance, and water quality, this is an exciting opportunity to lead a skilled team dedicated to safeguarding Ventura’s vital water resources.

As part of Ventura Water, you’ll oversee laboratory operations that support the City’s wastewater, potable water, and recycled water systems—ensuring the highest standards of testing accuracy, permit compliance, and public health protection.

What You'll Do

As the Laboratory Supervisor, you will plan, coordinate, and direct laboratory and industrial waste monitoring activities that ensure the City’s water and wastewater systems meet state and federal regulatory standards. You’ll provide technical oversight, manage laboratory operations, and serve as a scientific advisor to City staff and outside agencies.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing all laboratory operations, including water, wastewater, and recycled water testing, to ensure accurate, timely, and regulatory-compliant results.

• Directing and scheduling all water and wastewater sampling, coordinating with other City divisions and external agencies as needed.

• Reviewing, verifying, and approving laboratory data, analyses, and test procedures prior to reporting.

• Supervising, training, and evaluating laboratory staff; providing mentorship, feedback, and professional development opportunities.

• Preparing and submitting monthly, quarterly, and annual monitoring and compliance reports to Ventura Water management and applicable regulatory agencies.

• Developing, implementing, and updating laboratory testing methods, procedures, and quality assurance protocols consistent with State and Federal requirements.

• Maintaining the laboratory’s certification and ensuring all testing and analytical procedures meet accreditation standards.

• Preparing and monitoring the laboratory budget; approving purchases of equipment, instruments, and materials to support operational needs.

• specialized testing and analyses as needed to investigate water quality issues, treatment efficiency, or industrial discharges.

• Troubleshooting and performing minor repairs on laboratory instruments and analytical equipment.

• Coordinating monitoring protocols and laboratory support for the City’s Industrial Pretreatment Program.

• complex environmental and analytical data, summarizing results, and providing recommendations to management.

• Serving as a technical resource for City staff, engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies on water and wastewater quality issues.

• Developing and recommending policies, procedures, and operational improvements to ensure efficiency and compliance with changing regulations.

• Supporting emergency or special project sampling needs related to water quality or treatment system performance.

Who We're Looking For

The ideal candidate for this position will:

• Possess a strong background in chemistry, biology, or environmental science, with hands-on experience in water and wastewater laboratory operations.

• Have in-depth knowledge of laboratory principles, equipment, and procedures used in analytical chemistry, bacteriology, and microbiology.

• Demonstrate understanding of wastewater and water treatment processes, industrial pretreatment programs, and environmental monitoring regulations.

• Be skilled in interpreting and applying State and Federal water quality regulations, including NPDES and Title 22 requirements.

• Exhibit strong leadership and supervisory skills, with the ability to train, mentor, and evaluate staff effectively.

• Be proficient in preparing regulatory reports, interpreting analytical data, and maintaining detailed compliance records.

• Demonstrate a commitment to laboratory quality assurance, accuracy, and safety.

• Be detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Communicate effectively—both verbally and in writing—with internal staff, regulatory agencies, and external partners.

• Collaborate across divisions and departments to ensure effective, integrated water and wastewater monitoring programs.

• Show initiative and innovation in improving laboratory processes, adopting new technologies, and solving complex analytical problems.

• Take pride in supporting Ventura Water’s mission to deliver safe, clean water and protect our environment.

About Ventura Water

Ventura Water provides drinking water to more than 109,000 people through approximately 32,000 water service connections. This complex water system has more than 391 miles of pipeline, 3 water treatment plants, 23 pump stations and 31 reservoirs.  Our community relies on three 100% local water sources - the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and local groundwater wells, as well as, providing reclaimed water from the Ventura Water Reclamation Facility to two municipal golf courses, the Ventura Marina area, and private customers for landscape irrigation. We maintain a full-service laboratory and monitor our water quality daily.

For more information about Ventura Water, visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2268/Ventura-Water. 

Experience and Qualifications for Success!

A combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field and four years of laboratory experience, including one year of supervisory or lead experience.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATES

License: Depending on the assignment, possession of a valid California Class C driver's license may be required.

Certificate: Possession or ability to possess within one year a CWEA and/or AWWA Laboratory Analyst Grade 3, is highly desirable.

Apply Now!

Submit an online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline or first review date at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs.

• It is important that your city job application shows all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached to your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed job application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire may disqualify you from further consideration in the recruitment process.

• After you apply, all future correspondence from the city will be via E-Mail.  Please check your messages regularly and keep your contact information up to date using your on-line application.

Start Your Journey… Follow the Process

Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. Open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as this position may close without notice.

First Review of Applications: Monday, October 27, 2025.

• All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be reviewed, and only those candidates determined to be most qualified based on experience, training, and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process. Candidates will be notified about their status after the filing deadline.

• Those candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to a qualifying panel interview process. Candidates will be notified of specifics after the examination process has been completed. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. Candidates will be notified of specifics at the appropriate time.

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

The Hiring Process

To learn about our hiring process, visit our City’s Career Page - Hiring Process page for a detailed overview.

Learn More – Essential Information

For additional information on the duties and responsibilities of the position, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at  City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing here Laboratory Supervisor.

If you have questions about the recruitment process, please contact any of the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov or (805) 654-7802.