Chief Operator - Leachate Treatment Plant

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible; additional compensation to include tool allowance); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8 hours per day; full-benefits

This position plans, supervises, organizes, and directs all technical staff in relation to the maintenance and operation of the Leachate Treatment Plant and conveyance systems and will be required to comply with all sampling and analysis requirements of local, state, or federal organizations. This position is also responsible for overseeing the operations and maintenance for all stormwater control features affiliated with the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling including pump stations, generators, a dam and associated system elements. Direction is received from the Deputy Director of Solid Waste and Recycling. 

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee. 

 

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan 
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year. 

 

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Supervise personnel and maintain proper operation of the leachate treatment plant and systems as well as all stormwater management systems
• Oversee day-to-day operations and perform administrative work related to leachate and stormwater management operations
• Resolve treatment facility issues, both routine and emergency
• Implement and maintain a scheduled routine, preventive and emergency maintenance
• Ensure staff have the proper equipment, tools and supplies to properly maintain the Leachate Treatment Plant
• Maintain compliance with regulations and continuously monitor for regulation and treatment changes
• Review new and upgrade plans for water treatment facilities
• Ensure the treatment of waste water discharge in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal standards
• Schedule internal and external contractors to support maintenance and operation
• Perform administrative tasks, including hiring, disciplining, and evaluating staff and enforcing departmental policies
• Oversees the operations of the treatment plant as well as the collection, management and manipulation of data or compliance activities
• Makes decisions that govern the treatment of the landfill’s leachate and works as part of an internal and external team
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Associate’s degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related field
• Minimum of 7 years of work experience in water or wastewater treatment operations, leachate treatment operations, or related work experience which must include at least 3 years of work experience supervising or managing staff
• Possession of a valid driver's license

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related field with 5 years work experience as described above which must include at least 3 years experience supervising or managing staff. 

 
KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:
A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Advanced knowledge of methods, materials, techniques and equipment used in the operation of advanced wastewater, water treatment, or waste treatment systems
• Knowledge of related computer programs including Microsoft 365, with the ability to use automated procurement, and work order software
• Knowledge of biology, chemistry and mathematics as it relates to wastewater, water, or waste treatment 
• Advanced knowledge of potential hazards associated with this work, and appropriate safety precautions 
• Basic knowledge of record keeping and reporting principles
• Skilled at overseeing and supervising staff
• Skilled at evaluating wastewater treatment plant operations
• Skilled at analyzing samples
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable Federal, State, Local laws and regulations and Division policies
• Ability to identify trends and troubleshoot problems occurring in wastewater, water treatment, or waste treatment processes
• Ability to evaluate and propose improvements to wastewater plant operations through the implementation of new technologies
• Ability to maintain required licenses and certifications
• Ability to accurately read and interpret engineering plans or other design drawings, and participate in the review of same, as needed
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, State and Federal agency representatives, and the general public
• Strong and effective written and spoken (English) communication skills including the ability to prepare clear, concise, and accurate letters, forms and reports

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly walk; frequently sit, climb/ascend/descend, lift up to 20 pounds, and reach; and occasionally lift between 20 - 50 pounds, push up to and over 40 pounds, pull up to and over 40 pounds, perform repetitive motions
• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently work indoors, outdoors, walk on uneven ground, in hot (above 100 degrees), in cold (below 32 degrees), in dirty and dusty environments, protective equipment required; and occasionally work at heights, in noisy environments, near machinery and chemicals/fumes

• Employees in this classification are designated as Essential. An Essential Employee means the employee is considered necessary for the operation of County services. Essential Employees are required to report to work in the event of a weather incident, general emergency, or disasters when County offices are closed. They may be required to work overtime with little or no advance notice and may be required to report to work in emergency situations and/or after hours
• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Available on-call for emergencies and special situations
• Available for varied workdays, as scheduled, during usual Landfill operating hours (Monday - Saturday)

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):

1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) One or more interviews
3) Equipment operating test administered on-site