12/06/1995 54090

DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF LABORATORIES, DEP

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work directing the activities of the Bureau of Laboratories in the Department of Environmental Protection. The Bureau of Laboratories is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of environmental laboratory programs involved in the testing and analysis of water, wastewater, milk, air contaminants, fuel, toxic materials and chemicals, soils, aquatic life, and insects.

The employee in this class directs, through subordinate managers, the activities of a professional and technical staff engaged in providing analytical services to the environmental regulatory, planning, and advisory programs of the Department. Chemical, microbiological, radioactivical, biological, and physical testing are conducted in laboratory facilities in Harrisburg and Erie. Work involves determining goals, objectives, and priorities for the laboratories program; developing and implementing rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines to manage program activities; reviewing proposed legislation for possible impact on the program; and determining and preparing budgetary requests. An important aspect of the work is providing management with results and analyses which are used in program management and decision making, public health protection, enforcement actions, environmental assessments, and public notification activities. Work is assigned in the form of broad goals and objectives, and the employee exercises considerable independent judgment in determining specific goals, objectives, and program priorities. Work is reviewed upon completion by the Deputy Secretary for Management and Technical Services through reports and conferences for attainment of goals and objectives and overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs, through subordinate managers, the planning, development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of environmental laboratory programs involved in the testing and analysis of water, wastewater, milk, air contaminants, fuel, toxic materials and chemicals, soils, aquatic life, and insects.

Directs the development of statewide policies, technical standards and procedures for permitting, monitoring, enforcement and technical assistance activities involving laboratory quality assurance programs.

Coordinates and directs laboratory certification programs as mandated by state or federal laws.

Directs the research, development, and implementation of new, improved or innovative analytical methods and techniques.

Reviews and analyzes activity reports to determine work being performed, program trends, and program effectiveness.

Develops and prepares budget and rebudget requests.

Reviews proposed legislation for possible impacts on the laboratories program and recommends whether the Department should support or oppose the legislation.

Plans and organizes work, assigns work, determines work priorities, sets goals, and reviews work performance.

Interprets rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and objectives of the organization or program for subordinates.

Provides advice to staff on unusual or difficult technical and managerial problems.

Provides advice and information to program managers, and legal staff on enforcement activities.

Represents the bureau or deputate in dealings with federal officials and other Commonwealth agencies.

Develops and delivers speeches and presentations to special interest groups, legislators, media and the public on bureau programs.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the Department of Environmental Protection s laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing water pollution, environmental sanitation, air quality, aquatic biology, entomology, solid and hazardous waste, and soils evaluation as related to environmental laboratory work.

Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques applicable to environmental laboratory work.

Knowledge of the biological, chemical, physical, and radiological sciences as related to environmental laboratory work.

Knowledge of the operation, application and maintenance of laboratory equipment utilized in environmental laboratory work.

Knowledge of the applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Skill in the supervision of employees.

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Ability to read and interpret Commonwealth and Departmental administrative rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to coordinate the work activities of the assigned programs and to resolve conflicts between the programs.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, subordinates, public officials, special interest groups, and the public.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A Bachelor s degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology, public health, or a field closely related to laboratory services and nine years of professional experience in the laboratory services field. Four of the nine years of required experience must have included managerial and second-level supervisory experience;

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Any equivalent combination of education and experience which affords the applicant the required knowledges, skills, and abilities, and includes a minimum of four years of managerial and second-level supervisory experience.