Wastewater Plant Supervisor

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, coordinates, schedules, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff engaged in wastewater plant and lift station operation, laboratory systems, and maintenance activities.
• Evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion; and trains or coordinates training and safety methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Determines and recommends equipment, materials, schedules, and staffing needs for assigned projects and programs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications, as required; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Provides input into the budget for the unit; monitors the budget on a regular basis.
• Prepares, approves, and submits all required discharge reports to permitting agencies as the responsible Chief Plant Operator.
• Oversees laboratory analysis of wastewater, sludge, industrial wastes, soils, and other related matrices; takes appropriate corrective action to make operational changes to ensure compliance with water quality requirements.
• Reviews schedules; daily plant operations logs; monthly summaries, including NPDES; and pretreatment reports, and consults with and advises plant operational staff.
• Estimates time, cost, labor, and material needs; assigns personnel and orders necessary equipment and materials; approves purchase orders and maintains an inventory of required materials, tools, and supplies.
• Inspects and evaluates work in progress and completed work; identifies problem areas and directs corrective action; works with staff to ensure that plant meets regulatory requirements.
• Ensures that safe work practices and procedures are followed; conducts safety meetings.
• Responds to questions and complaints from the public and ensures satisfactory resolution.
• Monitors and evaluates the wastewater treatment process and changes in regulatory agency laws and regulations; evaluates their impact upon City activities; recommends and implements policy and procedure changes as required.
• May assist with or performs the full range of routine to complex operations and maintenance duties.
• Maintains various records of work performed and materials and supplies used; prepares periodic and special reports as required.
• Operates a standard vehicle to multiple locations in order to perform assigned tasks; transporting equipment as needed, and performing assigned tasks at each worksite.
• Responds to emergency situations as necessary.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 
 Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including planning and assigning work, performance review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Advanced operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, pumps, valves, and related appurtenances.

Ability to: 

• Supervise, train, plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff and contractors.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Identify problems, research and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solution.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, policies, and procedures related to the work.
• Assist in developing and monitoring an annual budget.
• Analyze work problems and make corrections that will facilitate the completion of assignments.
• Operate, maintain, and repair a variety of wastewater collection and treatment facilities and equipment.
• Coordinate activities to assure treated wastewater complies with NPDES permit limits.
• Establish laboratory testing standards for wastewater treatment.
• Recognize and correct unusual, inefficient, or dangerous operating conditions.
• Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
• Read a variety of gauges, charts and meters, and recording data accurately and make appropriate process adjustments.
• Conduct standard chemical and physical tests of wastewater, sludge, and related materials.
• Develop cost estimates for supplies and equipment.
• Negotiate and administer contracts.
• Use and maintain tools and equipment related to the work skillfully and safely.
• Respond to and resolve questions and complaints from the public.
• Prepare and maintain clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Make accurate arithmetic calculations.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and software programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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

 Equivalent to graduation from high school and four (4) years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a secondary and tertiary wastewater treatment plant and associated facilities, including one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience. 
 
Possession of an associate degree in a related field is desirable.
 
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a Wastewater Plant Operator Grade IV certificate.
• Possession of certification as a Wastewater Collection System Operator from the California Water Environmental Association is desirable.

 PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to work in the field and wastewater treatment facilities; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders, and to operate varied hand and power tools and equipment; vision to read printed material and a computer screen; color vision to read gauges and identify appurtenances; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio.  The job involves frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 75 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
 Employees work primarily indoors and are exposed to loud noise levels, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances, odors, and fumes.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives and contractors in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS
 Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and background investigation, including fingerprinting.  Must be available for shift work, standby assignments, including holidays and weekends, and respond to emergency overtime as required.  May be exposed to inclement weather conditions, fumes, odors, dust, and potentially toxic chemicals and conditions.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
All applications will be reviewed to determine whether they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. A complete employment application is required; a resume does not replace the information requested on the application, including work history. Applications that state "see resume" or otherwise lack sufficient information to evaluate whether the minimum qualifications are met will be rejected.

All supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. Answers to questions stating “see resume” or “see application” will not be considered. If the questionnaire requests a certification be attached, you must attach the certification as verification. Certifications that are not attached will not be considered and may result in the application being rejected. 

For some recruitments, a limited number of the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may include a written examination, presentation, practical skills assessment, oral panel interview, or a combination of these components. Candidates who pass a written examination, presentation, or practical skills assessment are not guaranteed an oral panel interview, as the department may choose to interview only the highest-scoring candidates. 

An eligibility list will be established for candidates who pass the examination process; current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. The eligibility lists will remain active for one year from the assessment completion date. When vacancies occur, candidates on the eligibility list may be contacted for additional interviews.

All correspondence regarding this recruitment will be sent via email only. Emails will be sent from [email protected] and may be directed to your spam or junk folder. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure your email address is accurate and capable of receiving these messages. 

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Before beginning employment, candidates must successfully complete the pre-employment process. Depending on the classification, the pre-employment process may include reference checks, DOJ/FBI fingerprinting, a Personal History Statement (for specific classifications), a police records check (for specific classifications), and a medical examination, which may include a drug screening, physical examination, lift test, and/or hearing test. For Police Department candidates, the pre-employment process may also include a CVSA, background investigation, and psychological examination. 

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations may be made for disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations must submit the Request for Reasonable Accommodations Form  to Rachelle Jennings, Human Resources Analyst by email to [email protected] 72 hours prior to the test date.