Quality Assurance Manager

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

Description

Why it’s a Great Opportunity:

We are seeking an experienced Quality Assurance professional to lead and develop our comprehensive QA/QC programs. This position combines leadership, subject matter expertise, and real environmental impact within a complex technical environment.

You will be overseeing data quality from both internal and external laboratories. Specifically, you will be ensuring that analytical results meet strict regulatory and scientific standards, while managing systems for data verification, documentation, and tracking. You will be supervising QA/QC specialists, guiding method validation, and managing audits, corrective actions, and proficiency testing programs. This role allows you to manage and expand the department’s quality systems, develop SOP’s and Quality Assurance Project Plans, and help drive continuous improvement across analytical and sampling programs.

Additionally, the position provides the opportunity to work across Metro’s various divisions and departments. You will be supporting internal stakeholders, participating in regulatory and technical groups, and contributing expertise that informs data use and planning decisions.

Overall, it’s an opportunity to lead high-impact quality assurance work that ensures reliable environmental data, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence for Metro, while supporting our mission to protect the region’s health and environment.

Why It's a Great Department:

The Quality Assurance Manager is situated within the Quality Assurance and Sampling Division of the Environmental Services Department.  Our department has a terrific culture that is built on continuous improvement, accountability, collaboration, and fun. We believe in fostering a work environment that encourages teamwork, problem solving, creativity, and personal growth. Our team members have the opportunity to work on meaningful assignments and contribute to making a difference across Metro. The Environmental Services Department also includes the Pretreatment, Laboratory Services, Regulatory Compliance, and Water Quality Divisions, making it a dynamic and diverse work environment.

How to be Successful in the Role:

You will thrive in this role if you:

• Have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of environmental laboratory QA/QC
• Can take a structured and detailed-oriented approach to daily tasks, with an emphasis on thorough documentation
• Can interpret analytical methods and regulatory guidance to make sound technical decisions
• Engage confidently in technical discussions with agencies, stakeholders, and work groups
• Are comfortable making independent decisions that align with broader goals
• Work effectively across teams to meet the needs of various stakeholders
• Are comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while proactively managing deadlines and competing priorities
• Can provide clear direction and effective delegation to staff
• Enjoy mentoring and sharing your knowledge and experience

We value excellence, integrity, inclusion and collaboration, and we're looking for someone who shares these values. 
Manages and coordinates all areas of the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program of the Environmental Services Department to ensure adherence to regulations and sound analytical practices. Under general direction, reports to the Senior Data Quality and Sampling Manager. Direct and supervise the work of QA/QC Specialists.

Examples of Duties

1. Manage verification and validation of all data reported by external laboratories, as well as select data from internal stakeholders within the department. Includes data review to evaluate adherence to all regulations and quality control requirements, proper documentation of verified results, and data tracking. Provides oversight and ensures best practices are followed. Communicate with external labs when data quality issues are encountered. Verifies all data is uploaded into Metro's Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for reporting. 
2. Oversee the coordination with external laboratories of sampling efforts for the department, including Chain of Custody (COC) generation and arranging bottle orders and data crosswalks. Oversees communications with internal stakeholders and external labs to coordinate and facilitate sampling and analytical testing efforts for divisions across Metro. 
3. Directs, assigns, and review the work of QA/QC Specialists.  Evaluates performance and provides training, counseling, and discipline where necessary. Participate in the employee selection process.
4. Manages and directs all aspects of the development and implementation of the QA/QC programs associated with the data collected for Metro’s environmental compliance programs, Annual Charge Program, and process control and special projects and studies. Oversee all corrective action for non-compliant situations. 
5. Directs Metro laboratory’s internal USGS and Biannual QC PT programs. Manage corrective action as necessary. Reviews recommendations for improving Metro's QA/QC and provide to Management as necessary. 
6. Directs Metro laboratory's efforts to validate new methods and instrumentation. Manages special studies, including those for annual method detection limit calculations. 
7. Manages regular audits of procedures and the external laboratories as necessary to verify conformance with State and EPA regulations, standards, and policies. Assists and provides guidance to QA/QC Specialists as needed.
8. Manages internal audits of Metro's laboratory, including all activities associated with producing data for the Annual Charge Program. Assists and provides guidance to QA/QC Specialists as needed.
9. Assists the Senior Data Quality and Sampling Manager with management of lab contracts. Responsible for the execution of the Quality Assurance program's administrative efforts, such as approving external lab invoices, electronically filing analytical data, and recording meeting minutes.
10. Participates in internal and external outreach by helping develop presentations and attending industry engagements. Participates with outside agencies and technical groups to provide input on changing methods and protocols for analytical testing affecting wastewater treatment and biosolids production.
11. Provides QA/QC technical expertise to other Departments as requested. Participates in Metro workgroups as expert on precision and accuracy of data used for treatment and planning purposes. Trains and provides direction to Environmental Services personnel regarding QA/QC protocols. Ensures the development of equipment cleaning and calibration logs, field log sheets, and other supporting documents and ensures implementation for all specific end user requirements.
12. Participates in and directs the development and maintenance of Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) for analytical testing and sampling conducted both internally and externally in accordance with state and federal regulatory requirements and best practices for the collection of accurate and representative data. Responsible for the development, review, and use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) and business workflows.
13. May be required to work outside of normal business hours/standard workdays to meet Metro business needs.
14. Coordinates and compiles documentation for all QA/QC compliance testing for the annual EPA DMR – QA program as required by CDPHE. Accountable for all aspects of maintaining compliance with the state program.
15. Responsible for maintaining and promoting a safe working environment. Ensure employees complete all required training on time, maintain compliance with organizational requirements, and follow all safety protocols. Ensures employees maintain required certifications.
16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Expert understanding of principles of quality assurance and quality control associated with the collection and analysis of environmental samples (e.g. wastewater/water, air, soil, biosolids) for both laboratory and field sampling operations
• Expert understanding of sampling methodologies, data management, and analytical techniques
• Expert knowledge of EPA 40CFR Part 136, ASTM, and Standard Methods for water/wastewater testing methods and requirements
• Mathematical principles, including statistics
• Computer software including Microsoft Office 365, including specific knowledge with utilizing MS Excel, MS Word, Teams
• Analyzing technical data to ensure accuracy and regulatory adherence

Skilled at:

• Using a LIMS system to access/review/manage analytical data
• Utilizing Microsoft Office 365 and data analysis and management software for analyzing data, communicating and reporting
• Active and empathetic listening
• Planning, coordinating and supervising complex operational tasks and activities associated with the collection, handling and storage of environmental compliance samples
• Developing and implementing a QA/QC Program 
• Training and mentoring staff
• Managing disagreements, de-escalating conflicts and negotiating win-win solutions
• Project management including work planning, resource allocation and progress reviews through project completion
• Interacting and collaborating with a diverse audience
• Effectively communicating verbally and in writing

Ability to:

• Prioritize and manage external lab turnaround times and deadlines
• Expertly analyze technical data to ensure accuracy and regulatory adherence
• Expertly conduct audits of laboratory and field sampling activities
• Strong ability to effectively adapt and operate with evolving and fluid priorities and/or other requirements
• Align group goals to Metro's values and mission
• Lead and oversee effective audits
• Expertly develop and implement comprehensive QA/QC and sampling programs to support regulatory and financial requirements and needs
• Expertly and accurately interpret National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements and adjust QA/QC and sampling programs as necessary for compliance
• Expertly review other environmental laws and regulations (e.g. Clean Air Act) to identify sampling and analytical requirements and update QA/QC, sample collection and other programs as needed
• Effectively delegate tasks
• Implement and enforce policies and procedures fairly and consistently
• Effectively supervise staff

Education, License, and Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, biology, engineering, statistics, mathematics, or other related field. A valid driver’s license. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Working Conditions

Typical Work Environment  
Variety of floor surfaces including concrete, gravel, asphalt, dirt, tile, loose stones, uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, and wet surfaces; Inside environment; Outside environment all year in all weather conditions and temperatures;  Residential and Commercial Wastewater/Biosolids; Chemicals;   Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and low light; and low light;   Vibration; Moving equipment; Work in confined spaces
 
Body Position Demands
Standing; Walking; Climbing stairs; Climbing ladders; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Crawling; Typing; Fine hand coordination
 
Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 50 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 50 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 94 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 100 lbs
 
Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Vision - near and far; Hearing

Benefits

Metro Water Recovery offers a wide range of employee benefits including:
* Medical
* Dental
* Vision
* Life Insurance
* Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
* Retirement
* Leave Time (Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, & Holiday)
* Additional Voluntary Benefits
 

Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.