Placer County

Utility Operations Supervisor (#13102)

$46.71-$58.33 Hourly / $8,096.40-$10,110.53 Monthly / $97,156.80-$121,326.40 Yearly

DEFINITION

To plan, organize, and direct the utility services activities of an assigned work section; to coordinate work section activities with other work sections, divisions, departments, and outside contractors; and to provide highly responsible technical and operational support to higher-level management staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Operations Supervisor level in the Utility Service Worker series recognizes positions that provide full second-line, direct supervision to employees within a work section, assume substantive and significant operational responsibility in a defined area or specialty, and provide a high level of administrative and technical support over projects, including those performed by contractors, within an assigned work section.

This class is distinguished from the Utility Service Crew Supervisor in that the latter serves as a first-line supervisor to an assigned work crew or team, and work is performed primarily out in the field, whereas the Operations Supervisor level may spend more time in an office setting focused on administrative and planning functions that support operations and/or may oversee multiple units within utility operations.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Environmental Engineering Program Manager and/or higher-level management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, maintenance, technical, and clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Plan, develop, oversee, and perform the work of staff of an assigned work section involving utility service operations and maintenance as applied to wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems.
  • Recommend and implement section goals and objectives for assigned work section; establish performance standards, schedules, and methods; develop and implement policies and procedures.
  • Evaluate operations and activities of assigned work section; coordinate and monitor workflow; recommend and implement improvements and modifications.
  • Participate in budget preparation and administration for assigned work section; monitor budget; prepare cost estimates for budget recommendations; submit justifications for staffing, supplies, materials, and equipment; monitor and control expenditures.
  • Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed to maintain efficient and professional operations.
  • Participate in the development, negotiation, and administration of contracts; ensure compliance with County standards and specifications; develop specifications and bid documents; research and resolve contractor issues.
  • Serve as project manager; complete project cost estimates, identification, scheduling, and contractor oversight; oversee project budget and approve contractor invoices for payment.
  • Analyze and project maintenance needs of sewer, water, and utility systems and develop a maintenance plan to ensure safe and uninterrupted service to customers.
  • Oversee automated maintenance management systems; schedule and assign work orders involving multiple units.
  • Review and maintain records of work performed; generate and review work orders and reports from automated maintenance management systems; keep and prepare various records, reports, and other documents related to operations and activities.
  • Implement and oversee the County’s Sanitary Sewer Overflow (SSO) Response and the Sanitary Sewer Management Plan (SSMP); ensure compliance with regulations impacting operations.
  • Represent the division to outside agencies, organizations, and contractors; provide technical assistance as needed.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, outside contractors, and the public using principles of effective customer service.
  • Answer questions and provide information to the public, other County departments, and outside contractors; investigate complaints; recommend corrective action as necessary to resolve.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

Field duties are performed in confined spaces and in close proximity to a variety of environmental factors, including wastewater, sewage, gases, and high voltages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in wastewater treatment and/or collection system operation and maintenance, including two (2) years of supervisory responsibility.

Training: Equivalent to an associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in wastewater collection, treatment theory, and practice or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

  • Possession of a Valid Class A driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  • Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade I Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist Certification or equivalent.
  • Possession of a valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade III Collection System Maintenance Certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of utility maintenance functions, including the installation, repair, and replacement of wastewater collection, water distribution, and fire suppression systems.
  • Use and purpose of materials, tools, equipment, methods, procedures, and practices used in the construction and maintenance of utility services.
  • Pertinent local, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
  • Principles and practices of procedure development, workflow coordination, and management.
  • Budget administration and monitoring.
  • Principles and practices of contract development, negotiation, and administration.
  • Principles and practices of project management, coordination, and inspection.
  • Automated systems used to schedule maintenance activities and projects.
  • Office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and relevant software.
  • Principles and practices of research and analysis.
  • Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
  • Principles and practices of effective customer service.
Ability to:
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards; read, analyze, understand, identify, recall, interpret, apply, and explain technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, special projects, rules, laws, and regulations; read, understand, explain, and follow a variety of complex plans, blueprints, diagrams, schematics, scopes of work, and contract documents; observe and problem-solve operational and technical policies and procedures; analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time. 
  • On a continuous basis, sit at desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently stand, walk, balance, bend, squat, crouch, climb, kneel, and twist to reach equipment surrounding desk and to perform field work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; hear, see, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; speak, use telephone, write, and use keyboard to communicate; lift moderate weight.
  • Organize, implement, and direct utility service operations and activities of an assigned work section. 
  • Perform the most complex work of the section.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
  • Effectively maintain records and prepare operational reports.
  • Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program budget.
  • Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
  • Effectively monitor and inspect the work of outside contractors and resolve contract performance issues.
  • Effectively develop and interpret contract documents related to scope of work.
  • Effectively coordinate and manage projects.
  • Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; be subject to emergency call-out and work unusual and prolonged work schedules; work multiple or mandatory shifts during emergencies, seasonally caused circumstances, and special projects.
  • Interact fairly and courteously with others.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:
All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:
General

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
CLASS: 13102; EST: 9/2/1995; REV: 11/7/2024; REVWD: 11/7/2024;