This is highly responsible supervisory and technical work directing municipal wastewater treatment for the Howard F. Curren Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (AWT)
An employee in this class is responsible for ensuring the efficiency, productivity and effective performance of the operations team at the AWT Plant. Under direction, the employee performs tasks related to leadership treatment operations, permits, and budgeting of more than average difficulty requiring the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment. Work is reviewed through observation, conferences, reports submitted, and results obtained.
Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the continuous, efficient and safe operations at the wastewater treatment plant and related facilities; ensures that facilities operate in accordance with design and needs; recommends changes in operations as appropriate; advises wastewater engineers and consulting engineers regarding process modifications and changes.
Provides assistance to the AWT Plant Manager in maintaining focus on the vision of the organization, continuously communicates the vision to other team members; leads by example, proactively interacts with the organization, builds and maintains a culture of trust.
Serves as a leader of the operations teams; coaches and motivates team members and Shift Leaders; facilitates communication within the team; identifies problems in early stages; reviews/updates standard operating procedures (SOPs); evaluates performance of team members, Shift Leaders and some specialists; mediates employee disputes; and makes timely decisions.
Stays current with industry trends and new strategies; monitors and evaluates work practices for improved team productivity; schedules resources for team members' growth; maintains continuous 30-day forecast of resources and projects; evaluates performance measures; evaluates work practices; implements new strategies, and ensues that sufficient measures are available.
Supports the teams core business by removing obstacles to continually improve operational reliability, cost effectiveness and increasing automation and updating equipment where appropriate. Attends weekly team meetings with agenda forwarded to leadership; responds to emergency situations and leads actions to protect the environment, personnel, and the facilities.
Develops effective team members; reinforces and supports the use of business skills, technical skills, and team skills; deals with personnel issues; communicates needs and expectations.
Evaluates the following: how often personnel conflicts are taken to leadership; number of times team meets performance measures; number of skill blocks obtained per team member.
Co-develops, reviews, and implements the organizations mission, vision, plans and goals; coordinates the work with other teams, support groups, and leadership.
Performs liaison activities with regulatory agencies and other national, state and regional organizations with respect to wastewater treatment and disposal, and regulatory issues.
Performs related work as required.
Comprehensive knowledge of: modern theories, principals and practices of operations as applied to various types of wastewater treatment.
Extensive knowledge of: principals, practices, methods and equipment used in wastewater treatment operations; facilities, equipment, maintenance, and operating practices related to wastewater treatment; federal, state, and municipal rules, regulations, and ordinances pertaining to wastewater treatment and disposal; developments and information related to treatment and environmental field. Advanced knowledge of: team dynamics; how to lead and direct teams, and performance management.
Intermediate knowledge of: operating and capital budgeting; long and short term planning; computers; modern developments, current literature, and sources of information relating to operating, maintaining and leading wastewater organizations.
Basic knowledge of: performance measures; cost/benefit analysis; providing feedback. Intermediate ability to: organize; coach; resolve conflicts; facilitate; set and monitor goals.
Advanced skill in: decision making; communication; motivation; problems solving; interpersonal relations.
Intermediate skill in: coaching, conflict resolution.
Accountabilities: bi-annual reviews with Shift Leaders and specialists; number of meetings with AWT Plant Technicians; timeliness of decisions; number of times team meets performance measures; number of skill blocks obtained per team member; weekly team meetings with agenda forwarded to leadership; maintain continuous 30-day forecast of resources and projects; team operating and capital budgets; work schedules; team assets, equipment and vehicles; personnel evaluations completed timely.
Graduation from an accredited high school or vocational school and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater system operations, construction and maintenance, including leading or working in a team environment.
Preferred: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in engineering or natural sciences with major course work in chemistry, bacteriology, civil & environmental engineering, or closely related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment facilities and processes; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Prefer a Class “A” certification in wastewater or the ability to obtain within 18 months. This includes those from Florida who possess a minimum of a Class B License or the equivalent of a Class “B” from other states OR who have at least eight (8) years of experience in the wastewater treatment industry.
Possession of a valid drivers license may be required.
Evaluation of education and experience. Drug testing is included in all pre-employment processing.