Laboratory Manager

Salary: $90,640.00 - $140,476.00 Annually
Location : E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant 10301 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: PU Water Plant
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/17/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00-3:30
Hiring Range: $90,640.00 - $115,507.00

Job Description
Raleigh Water, a division of the City of Raleigh, is seeking an experienced Laboratory Manager to join its team. This role provides leadership, management, and oversight of laboratory and procurement support functions within the Water Treatment Division. This position supervises and develops employees, establishes work priorities, evaluates performance, and ensures the effective delivery of services in alignment with organizational goals and customer expectations. Responsibilities include operational planning, budget management, resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. The Laboratory Manager ensures the accuracy and timely submission of required reports and documentation in accordance with applicable state and federal regulations and permit requirements. Additionally, this position oversees quality assurance and quality control programs, document control systems, standard operating procedures, and health and safety plans. Through active participation in ISO initiatives, the Laboratory Manager advances Raleigh Water's strategic objectives by promoting operational excellence, accountability, regulatory compliance, and the responsible stewardship of public resources.

Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises and evaluates assigned employees by overseeing hiring, work assignments, scheduling, training, and professional development
• Conducts performance appraisals, addresses employee concerns, administers disciplinary actions as appropriate, recommends salary adjustments, and serves as a liaison between employees and management
• Directs and evaluates staff functions and services, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement
• Promotes a customer-focused culture by empowering employees to respond effectively to customer needs and expectations
• Manage financial planning, budget management, and resource allocation to promote operational efficiency and responsible stewardship of public funds
• Responds to internal and external stakeholder inquiries regarding laboratory procurement functions and services
• Reviews and approves monthly reports and supporting documentation to ensure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and permit requirements
• Participates in International Organization for Standardization (ISO) meetings to promote quality, safety, and operational efficiency
• Develops and updates Water Treatment goals and objectives in alignment with Raleigh Water's Strategic Plan
• Develops, implements, and maintains quality assurance and quality control plans, document control and recordkeeping systems, standard operating procedures, and health and safety plans
• Performs related work as required

Typical Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Science or related field; 7 to 9 years' experience in professional level laboratory sampling, testing and analysis involving gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and related advanced analysis techniques;

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted
Licenses and Certifications:

• Wastewater Laboratory Analyst Certification
• Biological Water Pollution Control System Operator
• Industrial Pretreatment, North Carolina Grade A Surface
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire

Additional Information
Knowledge of:

• Chemical principles, theories, and methodologies
• Applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations related to the laboratory
• Instrumentation and testing methods, chemistry, microbiology, environmental engineering
• Dimensional analysis as well as inferential statistics
• Budget management and purchasing procedures
• Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater by the American Water Works Association
• Analytical methods and related laboratory procedures
• Operation and maintenance of specialized equipment and instrumentation
• Sampling, hold times, and laboratory protocols per regulatory agencies
• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), and other pertinent computer programs
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques

Skill in:

• Leading and motivating professional staff
• Resolving conflicts
• Monitoring and managing a budget
• Communicating both verbally and in writing
• Using technology to manage complex data
• Analytical thinking and data interpretation

Ability to:

• Communicate expectations, motivate employees, goals, provide feedback, and assess performance
• Prepare detailed oral or written summaries of results with the ability to assist with interpretation
• Review internal audits and external audit reports and implement corrections
• Assist department with implementation of new regulatory requirements
• Maintain a safe working environment
• Promote data integrity standards and take leadership within the department
• Configure and operate complex software systems

ADA and Other Requirements:
Work Environment and Physical Effort:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar environment. Employees may occasionally work in an outdoor environment.
Work Exposures:

There is frequent exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals or substances. Employees may occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
When you join the City of Raleigh's work family as a full-time employee, your benefits are an important part of your "total rewards". Your benefits impact many aspects of your life including your health, your finances, and the protection of your family. The City provides a comprehensive benefits package as part of our total rewards program to support you through important events in your life, to enhance your life outside work, and to help you plan and prepare for the future.

To find out about the City's benefits package, and other programs, please visit our Employee Benefits page: https://raleighnc.gov/services/jobs-and-volunteering/pay-and-benefits

The City employs temporary and seasonal employees who generally are scheduled to work on a short-term basis. However, if you are hired as a temporary or seasonal employee, or as an intern, you are not eligible for the City of Raleigh's benefits.
01

Please select your highest level of education completed.

• Some high school
• High school diploma (or GED)
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• PhD or other professional degree

02

How much relevant or comparable work experience do you have in professional level laboratory sampling, testing and analysis involving gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy and related advanced analysis techniques ?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to less than 2 years
• 2 to less than 3 years
• 3 to less than 4 years
• 4 to less than 5 years
• 5 to less than 6 years
• 6 to less than 7 years
• 7 to less than 8 years
• 8 to less than 9 years
• 9 to less than 10 years
• 10 to less than 11 years
• 11 years or more

03

Do you have a valid North Carolina Driver's License Class C or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire?

• Yes, I currently have a valid NC Driver's License.
• I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License, but I can obtain one within 60 days of hire.
• No, I do not currently have a valid NC Driver's License and NO, I cannot obtain one within 60 days of hire.

04

Have you ever been terminated or forced to resign from a position?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered "yes" to being terminated or forced to resign, please provide an explanation and the date.
Required Question