Carla D. Cataldo
Columbia,SC
Summary
I have worked in a laboratory setting for over 18 years. I have experience with wastewater, water, and pharmaceutical laboratories and industrial pretreatment analysis. I have over 15 years of supervisory experience. I operate on organization, regulations, cleanliness, and teamwork. I pride myself on building a positive environment for all team members to be safe, successful, and grow.
Environmental professional with expertise in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and implementing effective compliance strategies. Known for fostering collaborative team environments and consistently delivering results. Demonstrates strong skills in risk assessment and regulatory reporting, with reliable reputation for adaptability and dependability.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Compliance Manager
05.2025 - Current
- Reviews and validates all quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) data for both drinking water and wastewater systems to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with regulatory standards prior to submission to state and federal agencies (e.g., SCDES and EPA).
- Ensures compliance with all applicable EPA and SCDES regulations regarding water and wastewater quality through comprehensive interpretation and application of complex environmental regulations and laboratory standards.
- Provides leadership and direction to the Laboratory Services Teams for both Water and Wastewater operations. Responsible for supervising, training, and evaluating laboratory staff, including direct oversight of at least one supervisory-level employee.
- Conducts performance evaluations for assigned staff, including setting goals, assessing performance, and supporting professional development.
- Assists in the preparation and administration of the departmental budget by compiling data, analyzing operational needs, and utilizing Microsoft Excel and Word to develop and present budgetary documents.
- Develops, updates, and ensures implementation of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for laboratory processes, including those related to sampling, analysis, and reporting for drinking water and wastewater systems.
- Reviews all water quality data generated by the laboratory prior to official submittal to SCDES or EPA, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance with reporting standards. Assists with preparation of required regulatory reports.
Laboratory Manager
08.2021 - 05.2025
- Directs and supervises duties of assigned laboratory staff. Reviews work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance. Aids in filling vacant positions.
- Ensures compliance with division's policies and procedures, standards of quality and safety, and all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Maintains laboratory certification for analyses; maintains all laboratory records.
- Supervises Quality Control/Quality Assurance program for the Environmental Monitoring Lab.
- Supervises, plans, and coordinates the laboratory functions of the Environmental Lab division; evaluates, interprets, and reviews analytical data for NPDES compliance.
- Oversees instrument calibration, accuracy checks and maintenance of lab equipment.
- Procures and maintains inventory of laboratory supplies and equipment; maintains service contracts on equipment. Prepares Request for Proposals (RFPs) for laboratory chemicals and equipment. Coordinates and evaluates all contract laboratory services. Handles ordering of lab chemicals and correspond with lab vendors.
- Prepares and/or processes various lab reports and records, audit studies, instrument/equipment maintenance reports, certification applications, bench sheets, lab analysis records, statistics, production reports, QA/QC reports, charts, logs, SOP's, and various other records, reports, memos, and correspondence.
- Performs data reduction review, data evaluation, validation and interpretation on all analysis records.
- Transcribes data from lab worksheets and contract laboratory reports for monthly reports and data packages, inputs laboratory data in computer.
- Prepares and implements Drinking Water Lab Standard Operation Procedures. Maintains laboratory safety programs; maintains safety equipment, conducts safety meetings and training as needed. Oversees the laboratory certification program. Handles Drinking Water Lab, DHEC audits.
- Coordinates annual Demonstration of Capability (DOC), studies for laboratory staff.
- Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, coworkers, and other division/department employees, regulatory and government agencies, sales representatives, inspectors, customers, consultants, engineers, and the general public.
- Performs all other duties as may be assigned to meet organizational needs.
Laboratory Technician III
07.2019 - 08.2021
- Ensure Laboratory collects all NPDES permitted samples, storm water and completes analysis within proper holding time.
- Communicate and document laboratory analysis results to operations staff, pretreatment coordinator, and plant superintendent in a timely manner.
- Communicate with Lab staff any special projects and analysis needed.
- Assist Industrial Pretreatment Program in organizing sample collection, and ensuring analysis is performed in a timely manner.
- Ensure Laboratory Safety Manual is current and communicate with Safety Coordinator to ensure laboratory staff are working safety.
- Ensure all quality assurance parameters are performed for each certified parameter.
- Ensure Laboratory has completed and passed the annual proficiency testing to maintain SC Laboratory Certification.
- Data processing for all laboratory analysis results into WIMMS for DMR and Operations Data Spreadsheet.
- Initiate and review DMR for monthly submittal.
- Record and maintain Laboratory staff daily timesheets.
- Train staff and approve staff IDOC’s and ODOC’s.
- Review and update SOP’s.
- Review and update COC’s and bench sheets.
- Maintain inventory and coordinate purchasing.
- Maintain a positive environment within the laboratory.
Laboratory Technician
Becton Dickinson
09.2017 - 07.2019
- Observes all safety and environmental procedures and quality system requirements.
- Collects and prepares laboratory samples for laboratory testing.
- Performs the following tests, as specified, on Incoming Raw Materials: Rheology, Density, Color, percent Silica, Acid Value, Kinematic Viscosity, FTIR, and Centrifugation.
- Cleans testing and work areas.
- Cleans the instruments and equipment.
- Documents test results on appropriate forms and records.
- Maintains files and test reports in an orderly fashion.
- Enters test data in the SAP system.
- Performs Rheology, Density, Color and Percent Silica tests on finished gels.
- Assists the Quality Scientist II, Chemist as needed.
Utilities Coordinator II
Richland County Utilities
12.2016 - 08.2017
- Assist Operations & Maintenance Superintendent with Special Projects.
- Participate in on-call rotation schedule to ensure seven days per week visits to three (3) wastewater treatment facilities and seven (4) public water systems.
- Assist Laboratory Staff with inventory and budget.
- Assisted maintenance with inventory.
- Assisted maintenance with customer repair calls.
- Smoke tested sewer lines for Infiltration & Inflow.
- Inspected and approved sewer installation for developing neighborhoods.
- Inspected and approved customer service connections.
- Obtained Water User Agreements.
- Obtained and recorded Water Line Easements.
- FOG Enforcement Officer.
Laboratory Technician
City of Columbia Metro Wastewater Plant
09.2016 - 01.2017
- Collect and analyze wastewater samples.
- Prepare media, glassware, and reagents for use in the environmental laboratory.
- Maintain inventory and coordinate purchasing.
- Make daily visits to biological wastewater treatment facilities to ensure regulatory compliance.
Laboratory Director/Pretreatment Coordinator
Richland County Utilities
09.2013 - 09.2016
- Responsible for coordinating all wastewater and drinking water samples for facilities in Richland County Utilities’ service area.
- Supervise laboratory personnel.
- Prepare media, glassware, and reagents for use in the environmental laboratory.
- Maintain appropriate quality assurance/quality control programs and associated paperwork.
- Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures.
- Develop and administer employee training program.
- Develop and administer hazard communication and chemical hygiene plans.
- Maintain South Carolina Laboratory Certification.
- Collect and analyze wastewater, storm water and drinking water samples for regulatory compliance.
- Develop laboratory and industrial pretreatment program budgets.
- Initiate annual blanket purchase orders and requisitions.
- Maintain inventory and coordinate purchasing.
- Make daily visits to biological wastewater treatment facilities and drinking water treatment facilities to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Develop, administer, and maintain county wide industrial pretreatment program.
- Participate in on-call rotation schedule to ensure seven days per week visits to three (3) wastewater treatment facilities and seven (4) public water systems.
- Member of the Pollution Prevent Team, which implements requirements of the Industrial Storm water Permit.
- Communicate verbally and in writing with state and federal regulatory entities, members of County Council, and the public.
- Coordinate all emergency response water quality sampling.
Laboratory Compliance Technician
Richland County Utilities
01.2010 - 09.2013
- Assist Laboratory Director in coordinating all wastewater and drinking water samples for facilities in Richland County Utilities’ service area.
- Prepare media, glassware, and reagents for use in the environmental laboratory.
- Maintain appropriate quality assurance/quality control programs and associated paperwork.
- Assist Laboratory Director in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures.
- Assist Laboratory Director in developing and administering employee training program.
- Assist Laboratory Director in developing and administering hazard communication and chemical hygiene plans.
- Collect and analyze wastewater, storm water and drinking water samples for regulatory compliance.
- Assist Laboratory Director with developing laboratory and industrial pretreatment program budgets.
- Assist Laboratory Director with annual blanket purchase orders and requisitions.
- Maintain inventory and coordinate purchasing.
- Make daily visits to biological wastewater treatment facilities and drinking water treatment facilities to ensure regulatory compliance.
- Participate in on-call rotation schedule to ensure seven days per week visits to three (3) wastewater treatment facilities and seven (7) public water systems.
- Communicate verbally and in writing with state and federal regulatory entities, members of County Council and the public.
- Assist with coordinating all emergency response water quality sampling.
Utilities Locator
Richland County Utilities
03.2009 - 01.2010
- Located sewer and water lines.
- Located all valves and manholes for GIS mapping.
- Assisted maintenance with routine lift station checks, maintenance, inventory, and customer repair calls.
- Smoke tested sewer lines for Infiltration & Inflow.
- Supervised summer interns.
- Designed and administered landscape of new Administration office.
- Developed and administered wastewater and water brochures for customer education.
- Developed and administered hazard communication and chemical hygiene plans.
- Inspected and approved sewer installation for developing neighborhoods.
- Inspected and approved customer service connections.
- Updated all customer service connections with detailed drawings.
- Liaison for Director and Deputy Director with special project customers.
- Liaison for Director and Deputy Director with special project contractors.
- Obtained Water User Agreements.
- Obtained and recorded Water Line Easements.
- Researched property deeds for easement purposes.
Education
Associates of Science - Environmental Engineering
Central Carolina Technical College
01.2026
Introduction to Environmental Compliance, Industrial Safety & Emergence, Response, Solid and Hazardous Waste, Basic Physical/Chemical, Wastewater, Introduction to Treatment Facilities, Basic Biological, Biology, Environmental Engineering
Midlands Technical College
Wastewater Certificate - undefined
Central Carolina Technical College
12.2010
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
- Adobe Acrobat
- Lims
- SCADA
Timeline
Environmental Compliance Manager
05.2025 - Current
Laboratory Manager
08.2021 - 05.2025
Laboratory Technician III
07.2019 - 08.2021
Laboratory Technician
Becton Dickinson
09.2017 - 07.2019
Utilities Coordinator II
Richland County Utilities
12.2016 - 08.2017
Laboratory Technician
City of Columbia Metro Wastewater Plant
09.2016 - 01.2017
Laboratory Director/Pretreatment Coordinator
Richland County Utilities
09.2013 - 09.2016
Laboratory Compliance Technician
Richland County Utilities
01.2010 - 09.2013
Utilities Locator
Richland County Utilities
03.2009 - 01.2010
Introduction to Environmental Compliance, Industrial Safety & Emergence, Response, Solid and Hazardous Waste, Basic Physical/Chemical, Wastewater, Introduction to Treatment Facilities, Basic Biological, Biology, Environmental Engineering
Midlands Technical College
Wastewater Certificate - undefined
Central Carolina Technical College
Associates of Science - Environmental Engineering
Central Carolina Technical College
Professional Associations
- South Carolina Water Environmental Association, 2009-03-01
- South Carolina Water Environmental Laboratory Committee, Chair, 2016-2017
- Capital District, Water Environmental Association, Secretary, 2013-03-01 to 2016-01-01
- Operator Conference Management Committee, South Carolina Water Environmental Association, Secretary, 2011-08-01 to 2016-01-01
- South Carolina Water Environmental Association Mid-Year Committee, 2014-01-01 to 2015-01-01
- Capital District Laboratory Analyst of the Year, 2013-01-01
Personal Information
Title: Environmental Compliance Manager