Environmental Laboratory Quality Assurance Manager

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!
About Essential Utilities
Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.
Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.
We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.
Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

• Develops, directs, implements and enforces the Quality Assurance program for the Bryn Mawr laboratory. Updates the Quality Manual, a collection of essential laboratory policies and procedures to conform to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Chapter 252 regulation and the requirements of other applicable states in which the laboratory is accredited.
• Develops and maintains expertise in laboratory accreditation programs. Responsible for obtaining and maintaining laboratory accreditations in each state where the laboratory may perform compliance testing of drinking water and/or wastewater samples. Completes and submits applications for new accreditations and renewals. Manages and oversees the scheduling, ordering, and reporting of Proficiency Testing (PT) samples for maintaining lab accreditations.
• Manages all aspects of laboratory inspections conducted by state accrediting authorities. Oversees compilation and submission of laboratory documentation to accrediting authorities upon request. Writes corrective action reports in response to deviations cited in lab inspection reports. Documents and follows up on corrective actions to prevent repeat deviations, notices of violations, fines, and revocation of accreditation.
• Acts as a liaison with state regulators. Establishes and maintains contacts in the Environmental Laboratory industry through participation in technical advisory committees and professional organizations.
• Leads the development, review, modification, approval and control of laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in accordance with regulatory requirements.
• Administers lab training records including but not limited to Demonstration of Capability (DOCs) and Method Detection Limits (MDLs). Provides annual Ethics training and monthly technical training sessions for laboratory staff.
• Oversees internal audits of the Bryn Mawr laboratory. Reviews findings with Director, Water Quality and lab section chiefs. Leads efforts to investigate and resolve corrective actions. Reports serious issues to the VP/Chief Environmental Officer when necessary.
• Perform audits of Aqua laboratories in other states, and of laboratories with whom Aqua contracts for services upon request. Periodically visit locations throughout Aqua PA and provide training to operators on drinking water regulations and sampling procedures.
• Contributes to strategic planning efforts and ensures that the Quality System and lab team are equipped to deliver comprehensive support.
• Engages proactively in continuous process improvement, aimed at meeting customer needs, enhancing quality, and improving production efficiency.
• Manages the development of key performance indicators that are in line with company objectives, focusing on quality, customer satisfaction, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Uses these indicators to track and manage performance.
• Oversees these core operational functions of the laboratory
  • Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), including operation, training, and development
  • Sample Receiving (Sample Management, Logistics)
  • Data Reporting (State/Federal Regulatory Reporting, Production of Data Deliverables)
  • Client Services, Project Management, and Subcontracting
• Manages and coordinates SDWA compliance monitoring and reporting for over 120 drinking water systems in Pennsylvania and maintain knowledge of individual system permit requirements
• Assists with Environmental Compliance/Regulatory issues. Work with State/Corporate Compliance team on new regulation implementation, lab Consumer Confidence Reports, Public Notices, lab notifications, resolving violations, and other compliance related items
• Develop and maintain extensive knowledge and understanding in the following areas:
  • Laboratory methods, technology, capabilities and capacity
  • Advanced knowledge of LIMS capabilities and operation
  • Environmental Laboratory Accreditation and Quality Assurance
  • Regulatory Programs applicable to Aqua/Essential
  • Client specific needs and expectations
  • Subcontract laboratory capabilities and accreditations
• Assists Director, Water Quality with management of day-to-day lab operations as needed.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.