ENTRY SALARY: $54,683.98

Under limited direction, the Water/Wastewater Plant Chief Operator plans, directs, and supervises continuous, efficient, and safe operations of one or more Water/Wastewater facilities. Over sees operations to ensure compliance with all Federal, State, and Local regulations.

Essential Functions: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provides oversight and direction of operations for Water/Wastewater plants including process control, purchasing, training, project management, and scheduling; monitors and assesses daily plant processes and controls and adjusts processes as needed; develops and monitors trending data, graphs, and spreadsheets to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Responsible for complying with all applicable regulatory agency rules, regulations, and SOPs for a Water/Wastewater facility. Assists in development and revision of SOPs.
• Responsible for the organization and retention of plant records and electronic data; reports operation metrics with assigned computer program.
• Responsible for employee selection, hiring, and training. Completes performance evaluations, documents disciplinary actions, provides counseling, personnel development, and training. Reviews and checks timesheets and payroll of errors and accuracy.
• Provides guidance and support for Lead Operators, Operators, and Trainees on various issues that arise at the facility; assists with all administrative concerns.
• Monitors safety protocols and evaluates staff adherence to all safety and hazard regulations, ensures spills are reported and materials are accurately tracked.
• Provides insight, direction, and expertise on complex technical issues and performs field investigations, repairs, and troubleshooting related to facility operations and compliance; regulates and monitors water or reclaimed water distribution pressures and disinfection residuals.
• Ensures and oversees permit compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Monitors, manages, reports, and resolves issues related to public health and safety.
• Assures completion of regulatory required documentation for various regulatory agencies.
• Participates in meetings and maintains strong communication regarding activities and progress of City projects; participates in CIP planning, department liaison for the construction of CIP projects. Attends progress meetings for projects, planning meetings, and other departmental meetings; reviews proposed modifications to the Water/Wastewater facilities and assists the City project manager and contractors with technical issues relating to facility projects.
• Communicates facility metrics and assists in the development of facility objectives, tactics, and strategies for cost effectively meeting divisional and departmental goals and objectives.
• Collaborates with the Maintenance Division, schedules preventative and predictive maintenance for Water/Wastewater plant equipment; oversees the maintenance on all plant assets, orders supplies to maintain continuous operations. Coordinates with and directs and directs other departments for repair, maintenance and assure a 24/7 operation.
• Collaborates with the Maintenance Division, directs, facilitates, and executes effective troubleshooting for highly technical aspects of plant operations; provides direction for electrical, mechanical, and SCADA computer system problems.
• Handles and addresses challenging customer complaints regarding water quality and satisfaction or concerns relating to wastewater processes; identifies issues, develops solutions, and facilitates implementation and resolution; provides public education and training for better understanding of Water/Wastewater treatment operations and practices; interacts and communicates with the community to inform them of the role that the facilities perform to enhance the community.
• May be required to work odd or altered hours; performs standby duty for after-hour responses and assists department in the event of an emergency.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Licenses, Certifications, and Equipment:

A valid State driver's license is required.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Class "A" Water or Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate.

Forklift License or the ability to obtain a Forklift License within six (6) months.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Chemistry, Environmental Science, or related field and at least five (5) years of experience managing, supervising, and operating in a Water/Wastewater treatment facility OR High School Diploma, High School Equivalency or G.E.D Certificate plus eight (8) years of experience managing, supervising, and operating in a Water/Wastewater treatment facility; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge of -

• Water/Wastewater operations, management, and regulatory requirements
• Methods, materials, equipment, principles, and practices used in the operation of Water/Wastewater facilities
• Understanding and interpreting complex policies, protocols, and procedures
• Administration principles and practices
• Occupational and safety hazards associated with water production or wastewater treatment
• Quality control and analysis; industrial control software, relational databases, and spreadsheets; complex problem solving
• Principles of bacteriology and complex chemistry
• Water distribution or reclaimed water distribution and related regulations
• Functions and mechanics of pumps and related equipment
• Equipment maintenance practices and methods
• Reading and understanding trends on the SCADA system and inputting plant data into databases, reports, and maintenance systems
• Personal computer, mobile phone, and office software operation

Skill in -

• Operations and control monitoring
• Troubleshooting complex Water/Wastewater facility abnormalities that are chemical, biological, or mechanical in nature
• Planning and managing the work of technical and maintenance personnel
• Delivering performance evaluations, training, and other personnel activities
• Interpreting, and applying various regulations and codes
• Delivering excellent customer service
• Critical thinking, judgement, and complex problem solving
• Applying mechanical and mathematical aptitude
• Overseeing personnel and evaluating performance and general operations
• Working standby hours when needed
• Performing analytics and evaluation of processes and operations