Olivia Woolery, LAB4, Laboratory Supervisor at Monterey One Water
Olivia Woolery, Laboratory Supervisor at Monterey One Water, says she wouldn’t be where she is without guidance from mentors who took the time to teach her about wastewater treatment and analytical procedures. So, she’s committed to helping others learn about laboratory methods and their importance to the success of the clean water profession.
“She wants training to be accessible to lab analysts, and works very hard to do so,” wrote her emerging leader nominator, Drew McCown of Monterey Bay Analytical Services.
“She organized the first in-person lab training this year, gathered several industry experts on advanced instrumentation, and worked with 35 individuals in a day-long session. This training has inspired other CWEA sections to organize similar training…it’s an important area lacking in the environmental laboratory sector,” McCown added.
Woolery has also provided training to local operators on proper sample collection techniques, as well as Laboratory Analyst Certification training to those preparing to take their CWEA Grades 1 & 2 exams.
Woolery holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences from California State University, Monterey Bay. While in college, she worked in a commercial Laboratory as an intern, learning the ropes of water testing and regulations. After graduating, she began working full-time as an Analyst. In 2023, she joined Monterey One Water as a Laboratory Analyst II. In 2024, she was named interim Laboraxtory Supervisor. She became a full-time Laboratory Supervisor earlier this year.
In her current position, she leads a laboratory staff of seven, manages laboratory administrative aspects such as budget development and maintaining ELAP certification, and represents the laboratory at agency and regional meetings.
What does she like about her job? “It’s important work that never crossed my mind before I applied for that internship in college,” she recalls. “I like the excitement of working in the lab and that there’s never a dull moment,” says Woolery. “There is always something to do… and I’m always striving for continuous improvement.”
Also, she enjoys helping others learn the profession.
“I want to develop certification training resources for the greater lab community,” she says. “Each lab is different, and there isn’t equitable access to training across the state.”
She says she enjoys it when students come back and tell her they’ve obtained their certification or they’ve been promoted. “It’s awesome,” she says. “I root for everyone I’ve trained with and love getting to celebrate their wins.”
Looking ahead, Woolery plans to continue developing and hosting training within her local section, where she serves as a Director and a Laboratory Committee Co-Chairperson. She is looking forward to her regional agency’s development of projects, such as the Pure Water Monterey expansion, and the ensuing laboratory requirements. Plus, she wants to work cooperatively with the state’s laboratory committee.
“I look forward to collaborating with other up-and-coming laboratory professionals,” she says.
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