Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 00127648	Description Activated On: 7/30/2025 9:03:45 AM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

Provides professional managerial and administrative work as the Chief of the Laboratory Accreditation Program at the Bureau of Laboratories of the Department of Environmental Protection.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

Directs, with assistance of subordinate manager:

a) the continuing development of an environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) to meet requirements as stated in PA Code Title 29, CH 252 and to be recognized as an Accrediting Authority by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP);
b) the activities involved in the accreditation of laboratories under the Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Law, the Small Operators Assistance Program, the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Act and to develop additional accreditation programs as required to meet agency needs;
c) effective training/cross training of professional chemists, microbiologists, and information technology generalists in implementing the policies and procedures of the Laboratory Accreditation Program;
d) appropriate and timely response to inquiries from state/federal/TNI staff or program clients concerning LAP functions;
e) successful collaboration with agencies such as Bureau of Investigation and legal counsel to perform enforcement actions for laboratories in violation of TNI and state regulations or laboratories involved in internal and external complaints; and
f) effective implementation of policies, procedures, and directives (Section, Bureau, Department) among colleagues and clients.

Delegates duties, responsibility, and authority so subordinates can make maximum use of their skills and experience to contribute to the LAP workload.

Develops, schedules, and maintains program activities to facilitate changes in workload or statues and standards related to laboratory accreditation.

Reviews LAP assessment activities and records for accuracy and trends in accreditation functions for potential issues and operational forecasts.

Implements any necessary changes in staff organization, corrective actions, or improvements to management strategies to support LAP operations after recommendation to Bureau Director.

Ensures that user agencies are informed of laboratory data indicating a situation or condition requiring prompt investigative or control actions regarding an accredited laboratory.

Serves as an active Designated Representative to the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program by participating on committees and attending meetings/conferences.

Serves as a member of the Region 3 EPA Drinking water organization and completes annual Primacy State Certification.

Serves as the recording and correponding secretary for the Laboratory Accreditation Advisory Committee (LAAC) as outlined in the LAAC Bylaws.

Participates in meetings with agency program areas and attorneys to assist with the development of, and the response to public comments on, draft and final regulations related to laboratory accreditation.

Provides technical expertise and assistance to agency staff and committees, external organizations, and laboratories on topics related to laboratory accreditation standards and LAP activities.

Responsible for operation and updating of the Laboratory Accreditation Program website, the Pennsylvania Accredited Laboratories website, and the Pennsylvania Registered Environmental Laboratories website.

Responsible for composing and publishing documents required to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin for public review.

Interviews prospective employees and provides input/recommends employee selection.

Approves leave requests based on staffing schedules to maintain operations and reviews impact of sick leave usage of subordinates.

Assigns overtime work to ensure priority work is performed.

Establishes performance standards to assess the performance of subordinates.

Evaluates employee performance, prepares and signs performance reviews of employees.

Evaluates training needs of subordinates and arranges for further education and training.
Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee, and resolves or recommends solutions to grievances and complaints. Pursues disciplinary actions and outcomes as required.

Supervise subordinates so their activities with other employees and the public will promote professional relationships and a positive atmosphere of customer assistance.

Promotes the Department's mission.

Inputs appropriate data in a prescribed format to meet data quality standards set forth by guidance, training, and policy across all of DEP’s electronic data systems; to include ensuring accuracy and completeness of entries, and where available, the use of system specific tools to ensure duplicative entries and data quality issues are minimized.

Testifies as an expert witness when called for legal proceedings.

This position requires responsiveness and accountability for achievement of the agency's goals and objectives.

This job description in no way states nor implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instruction and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

Decisions by the LAP Chief regarding routine laboratory activities occur with a large degree of independence and only occasionally in consultation with other BOL Directors.

The LAP Chief should consult with relevant Bureau and Departmental staff, outside agencies, and/or legal counsel to ensure accuracy and consistency in decisions that address non-conforming activities.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Maintains certification as both a NELAP and USEPA qualified assessor.
2.	Assesses operations of accredited laboratories and program activities for regulatory and technical compliance.
3.	Traverses a laboratory environment in a manner which does not endanger oneself or others.
4.	Must visually obtain information and data from laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
5.	Maintains technical knowledge in the areas of quality assurance, laboratory accreditation, and modern analytical methods in environmental chemical and
6.	Reads, comprehends, and applies scientific reference materials presented in various formats to interpret and validate data and accreditation parameter
7.	Accurately and thoroughly communicates, in both written and verbal formats, with clients and colleagues.
8.	Effectively manages program staff to produce quality results in a timely manner.
9.	Travels in and out of state to attend conferences, meetings, and trainings relevant to Bureau activities.
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