Chief Operator

The purpose of this classification is to manage the water treatment plant, wells (production, injection) and storage tank operations and maintenance, to oversee processes to purify/clarify water for human consumption and industrial/commercial use, and to ensure a continuous and adequate supply of potable drinking water meeting Federal/State Regulations.

The following duties and functions, as outlined herein, are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification.  They are not listed in any order of importance.  The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.  Other duties may be required and assigned.
 
Supervises, directs, trains and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals; coordinates staff training; and interviews candidates for employment.
 
Plans/coordinates daily work activities through utility asset management work system; organizes and prioritizes workload; makes work assignments; develops work schedules to ensure adequate coverage on a 24-hour basis; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work.
 
Ensures compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
 
Consults with assigned staff to review work requirements, status of work, and problems; troubleshoots complex or problem situations; provides direction, advice, and technical expertise.
 
Consults with manager of water quality and treatment, utility director, city management, and other officials as needed to review department activities, provide recommendations, resolve problems, and receive advice/direction.
 
Coordinates work activities with other departments, contractors, consultants, outside agencies, or others as needed.
 
Oversees administrative functions associated with plant operations; develops, recommends, and implements plant budget; reviews budget reports and account balances; monitors expenditures; codes, approves, and forwards invoices for payment; develops and implements long and short term plans, goals, and objectives; develops, updates, and implements standard operating procedures and emergency procedures; updates regulatory reports and summaries; prepares/forwards data for regulatory reports; investigates and documents accidents, injuries, and property damage.
 
Performs walk-through inspections of all plant buildings; schedules/conducts walk-through inspections with regulatory agencies; ascertains mechanical problems; reviews critical equipment inspection checklists; and generates and monitors work orders for equipment maintenance/repair as needed.
 
Monitors and evaluates plant efficiency, including chemical, electrical, and operations and makes adjustments as needed; reviews operational data, laboratory results, logs, and daily reports; discusses changes with staff as needed; monitors raw water quality parameters; and performs water quality testing.
 
Directs/coordinates various plant operations/activities; coordinates and monitors plant shutdowns and construction projects; utilizes asset management work order system to update control room and chemical building instruction boards; updates preventive maintenance schedules; operates control room and chemical building; schedules monthly projects; organizes and supervises special projects.
 
Supervises and performs a variety of physical, chemical and bacteriological tests to determine the chemical composition of water, to control quality, and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations for chlorine, fluoride, pH, iron, conductivity, hardness, or other components; performs membrane profile tests; logs test results on daily charts and log sheets.
 
Supervises and assists with operation of resin regeneration and chemical feeders used in water treatment/purification; adjusts flows and chemical dosages for optimal plant operations; regulates the flow of ammonia, lime, and chlorine through mechanical feeders; operates conveyor to transfer chemicals from storage to feeder hopper or day tanks; checks/adjusts polymer, acid, sodium hydroxide, and phosphate dosage and pump speeds; maintains logs/records of chemical applications.
 
Supervises operation of MIEX System and water filters and maintenance of proper water level; washes filters as needed; bleeds air from cartridge filters; maintains proper water levels in tank and covered storage reservoir by operating pumps and opening/closing valves.
 
Supervises and performs various skilled/manual tasks related to water treatment/purification and treatment plant operations, which may include cleaning tanks, inspecting/draining containment areas/trenches, inspecting/draining injection pits, changing wells/pumps, exercising storm shutters, cleaning degasifiers, cleaning membranes in trains, neutralizing waste, changing filters, running diesel generator under plant load, running injectivity tests, loading/unloading materials, and lifting/moving heavy materials.
 
Operates various machinery, equipment and tools associated with plant operations, which may include a utility vehicle, water pump, water filter, chemical feeder, conveyor, backwash system, water recovery system, diesel generator, air compressor, pumps, meters, gauges, mechanic tools, testing materials, diagnostic tools, security video controls, and radio communications equipment.
 
Maintains inventory of equipment, tools, chemicals, fuel and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials; initiates orders for new/replacement materials; obtains competitive price quotes; and prepares/reviews bid specifications.
 
Supervises and assists in performing general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep buildings, vehicles, equipment, and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting equipment, checking/replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, cleaning work areas, replacing light bulbs, refilling paper supplies, removing trash from grounds, or emptying trash cans.
 
Prepares for and performs emergency activities; monitors Florida Power & Light load control monitor for load shedding notices and switches to generators when needed; monitors city radios and telephone systems for plant communications and emergency calls; conducts lockup operations during hurricane conditions; shuts down and restarts plant equipment and computer systems after maintenance, lightning, or power company shutdowns; and notifies appropriate personnel in emergency situations involving hazardous chemicals.
 
Takes readings from plant operations computer, equipment, and assorted meters/gauges. 

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, production reports, regulatory reports, work orders, well field reports, training records, accident reports, bid specifications, purchase requests, procedures, performance appraisals, schedules, budget recommendations, flyers, brochures, or other documents.
 
Supervises and coordinates inspections and mechanical repair/maintenance on raw water injection and ASR wells, ground storage tanks, elevated storage tanks and related facilities. Receives, evaluates, responds to and troubleshoots SCADA and/or telemetry alarms associated with these facilities. Maintains and ensures adherence to wellfield protection and emergency spill response programs/plans.
 
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, summaries, laboratory reports, inventory reports, technical studies, regulatory reports, invoices, budget reports, bid specifications, time sheets, leave requests, contracts, catalogs, plant drawings, maps, policies, procedures, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
 
Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; updates computer files; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, or other software programs; utilizes SCADA programs to monitor plant operations, control water treatment, maintain tank levels, and troubleshoot problems.
 
Utilizes the utility asset management and work order system to coordinate and monitor maintenance of wellfields, water process trains, chemical storage and feed systems, finish water storage and remote storage/ pumping facilities.
 
Communicates via telephone, e-mail and/or two-way radio; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.
 
Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, city officials, regulatory agencies, public safety personnel, contractors, vendors, visitors, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, resolve problems, or give/receive advice/direction.
 
Attends meetings and serves on committees as needed; plans/conducts staff meetings and safety meetings; makes speeches or presentations.
 
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; researches new chemicals, products, and techniques and maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
 
ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
 
Conducts periodic inventory counts; stocks deliveries of supplies; assists in unloading deliveries.
 
Provides assistance or coverage to other employees as needed.
 
Performs other related duties as required.

• High school diploma or valid equivalent.
• Five (5) years of previous experience and/or training in water treatment plant operations that includes lime softening and/or membrane softening.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.
• Must meet all current State of Florida pre-requisites for Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification. 
• Must possess (or obtain within fourteen (14) days of hire) and maintain a valid Florida driver's license.

Effectively communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, contractors, engineers, companies, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Accurately and expeditiously receives and delivers messages and information to the appropriate individuals.
 
Ability to prepare accurate and thorough written records and reports.
 
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions and to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervisory direction.
 
Ability to understand and quickly and accurately follow brief oral and written instructions on moderately complex matters.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES
 
Knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, mathematics and technology concepts as related to the process.
 
Knowledge of practices and procedures for operating, maintaining, installing, repairing and troubleshooting process equipment.
 
Knowledge of operations equipment, tools, materials and supplies used in performance of the operations and maintenance function.
 
Knowledge of department and division operations procedures, policies, labor contracts, safety rules and regulations, and how to employ safe work practices.
 
Knowledge of Federal and State drinking water regulations, and the various chemical analyses/procedures and equipment used to ensure compliance.
 
Knowledge of department and division operations, policies, procedures, practices and all applicable codes, laws, rules and regulations.
 
Knowledge of and the ability to ensure compliance with safety policies, procedures, practices and OSHA regulations.
 
Knowledge of and the ability to draft plans, blueprints, and write specifications for proposed improvements.
 
Skill in performing various chemical analyses/procedures used to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations for various water quality parameters.
 
Skill in analyzing and resolving process control problems and equipment malfunctions, or otherwise identifying and recommending solutions to routine or recurring problems, to effectively control water treatment operations.
 
Skill in operating computers and utilizing computer programs related to the operations and maintenance functions, including maintaining equipment operating and maintenance records and reports.
 
Ability to provide guidance and assistance to others in the operation and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment and facilities.
 
Ability to acquire new knowledge of the operation of equipment, and the materials, supplies and tools used in performance of the maintenance function.
 
Ability to read, comprehend and apply written instructions, operation and maintenance manuals, plans, and other job-related materials.
 
Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
 
Ability to supervise, evaluate the work of employees, and identify and resolve personnel issues and concerns.
 
Ability to coordinate, plan and prioritize work assignments to achieve optimum effectiveness in staff utilization and cross-training.
 
Ability to determine and requisition proper and adequate materials, supplies and equipment for job completion.
 
Ability to effectively interact with the public, supervisors, co-workers, other department staff, contractors, and with outside agencies.
 
Ability to develop and sustain good working relationships with all department staff.
 
Ability to manage the plant’s operations budget to effectively utilize available financial resources.
 
Ability to supervise, evaluate the work of other employees, and identify and resolve personnel issues and concerns.

The City of Boynton Beach, Florida, is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational qualifications).

Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if he/she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the ADA, the City of Boynton Beach will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

 A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat of significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. Requirements are representative of the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and ability.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE:
 Certain servicemembers and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such servicemembers and veterans, receive preference and priority in the City’s hiring process. Additionally, certain servicemembers may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements in employment by the City.