American Water Works Association
Laboratory Supervisor (Ventura Water)
American Water Works Association, Ventura, California, United States
Overview
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 the City of Ventura Jobs site. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted 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 Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options) City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance Vacation & Holiday compensation Deferred Compensation CalPERS Retirement Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay 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 the City of Ventura Jobs page or the Ventura Water page. 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. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application may disqualify you from further consideration. 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. Start Your Journey – Follow the Process
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. All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be invited to participate further based on experience, training, and education as submitted. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the City’s discretion. Hiring Process & Additional Information
To learn about our hiring process, visit the City’s Career Page. For more information on duties and responsibilities, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing the Laboratory Supervisor description. If you have questions about the recruitment process, contact the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date. The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We welcome you to join our team. 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. Licenses & Certifications License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license may be required depending on assignment. Certificate: Possession or ability to obtain within one year a CWEA and/or AWWA Laboratory Analyst Grade 3 is highly desirable.
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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 the City of Ventura Jobs site. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted. Applications and supplemental questions will be accepted 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 Medical Insurance (HMO, PPO options) City Paid Dental and Vision Insurance Vacation & Holiday compensation Deferred Compensation CalPERS Retirement Tuition Reimbursement & Bilingual Pay 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 the City of Ventura Jobs page or the Ventura Water page. 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. Resumes, CVs, and cover letters may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application or supplemental questionnaire. Submitting an incomplete application may disqualify you from further consideration. 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. Start Your Journey – Follow the Process
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. All applications and supplemental questionnaires submitted will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. Candidates will be invited to participate further based on experience, training, and education as submitted. Initial panel interviews may be conducted in-person or via video teleconference. The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the City’s discretion. Hiring Process & Additional Information
To learn about our hiring process, visit the City’s Career Page. For more information on duties and responsibilities, refer to the job descriptions located on the City’s Career Page at City of Ventura Jobs or by viewing the Laboratory Supervisor description. If you have questions about the recruitment process, contact the Human Resources Recruitment Team at recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date. The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by law. We welcome you to join our team. 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. Licenses & Certifications License: Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license may be required depending on assignment. Certificate: Possession or ability to obtain within one year a CWEA and/or AWWA Laboratory Analyst Grade 3 is highly desirable.
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