WWTP Supervisor / WWTP Superintendent (DOQ)

DEFINITION
Under general direction of the Public Works Director, to independently plan, schedule, supervise and administer the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant, wastewater treatment and effluent disposal processes, and sludge treatment, handling and disposal; to monitor industrial wastewater flows and their effects on treatment; and to supervise and coordinate plant personnel. Incumbent serves as the principal staff technical resource to the Public Works Director in matters related to wastewater treatment plant operations and exercises independent technical judgment within established policies, approved budgets and delegated authority. The position identifies problems early, implements corrective action within its authority, and presents findings and actionable recommendations to the Director. Wastewater collection system management is excluded from this position.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Expectations at both levels
This is a single position filled at either the Supervisor or Superintendent level based on qualifications and demonstrated management experience. Both levels report directly to the Public Works Director and provide independent day-to-day technical and operational leadership of the wastewater treatment plant. The assignment is primarily supervision and technical oversight, with hands-on operating, sampling or maintenance work performed as needed. The Public Works Director provides general direction, establishes department priorities, and addresses funding, policy and organizational matters. The incumbent is accountable for plant performance, assigned staff, timely compliance activities and follow-through, and is expected to resolve routine technical matters without detailed direction from the Director. The incumbent is expected to provide ongoing plant operating leadership without reliance on a standing operations consultant. Specialized engineering, regulatory and other professional assistance is coordinated as needed within approved resources and authority.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor
Supervises daily treatment processes, maintenance, sampling, operating records and assigned personnel; implements operating procedures, compliance requirements and approved improvements; independently resolves operating problems within delegated authority; and identifies needs for specialized assistance, additional resources or Director decisions. Contributes technical information and recommendations to budgets and capital planning.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent
Performs the same core plant leadership responsibilities as the Supervisor and is distinguished by demonstrated experience and greater independence in managing complex regulatory matters, developing programs, evaluating long-range needs and leading plant improvement projects. Integrates operating, compliance, staffing, energy and financial considerations into recommendations to the Director and provides broader management of complex assignments with less outside assistance. Both levels are responsible for compliance follow-through, industrial pretreatment, budget participation and technical project coordination; appointment at the Superintendent level reflects the experience and judgment brought to these responsibilities.EXAMPLES OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Plans, schedules, and supervises the operation of equipment utilized in the treatment and disposal of wastewater and the drying and disposal of sludge; monitors industrial wastewater discharges; prepares and ensures compliance with schedules and procedures for inspection, operating and maintaining plant equipment; reviews and evaluates logs of routine facility inspections; reviews laboratory reports and directs or, as needed, performs laboratory chemical analyses to ensure the proper treatment and processing of wastewater; directs or approves recommendations for changes or modifications to plant flow and processes; supervises, develops, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; prepares schedules and assignments; adheres to and explains rules, regulations, practices, procedures, and policies; supervises routine physical, chemical and biological analysis of water, wastewater, sludge, settleable constituents and floatable constituents; oversees alarm response procedures and provides technical direction and response for significant plant emergencies; recommends policy improvements concerning wastewater treatment and disposal; supervises the preventative maintenance, maintenance, installation and repair of facilities and equipment; maintains records of equipment specifications, maintenance, preventative maintenance, suppliers and inventory; coordinates preparation, technical review and timely submission of monitoring and compliance reports required by the State Water Resources Control Board, Regional Water Quality Control Board and other regulatory agencies, subject to required City review and signature authority; participates with the Business Manager in annual budget development, monitors expenditures, verifies and codes plant invoices, and manages approved operating resources within City purchasing requirements; purchases supplies and equipment; maintains inventory control; initiates and implements improvements in treatment and disposal procedures, methods and practices; monitors the operating efficiency of digestion, treatment, oxidation, drying and disposal facilities; conducts staff meetings; conducts studies and investigations, preparing reports of findings and recommendations; takes appropriate immediate action in plant emergencies within delegated authority and promptly notifies the Public Works Director; develops filing systems; supervises maintenance of effluent disposal ponds and sludge handling areas, including disking, ripping and weed control as appropriate; composes correspondence and responds to inquiries; operates City vehicles; and performs additional duties as required.

Technical oversight and compliance responsibilities at both levels

Evaluates treatment performance using operating data, laboratory results, inspections and SCADA trends; diagnoses process problems; directs operating adjustments; and documents corrective actions and outcomes. Anticipates risks to treatment reliability, effluent quality, solids management and available disposal capacity.

Oversees compliance with wastewater discharge permits and applicable regulatory requirements; evaluates new and revised requirements; coordinates required monitoring, reporting, studies, plans and corrective actions; and tracks commitments, consultant deliverables and deadlines through completion. Maintains a compliance calendar and ensures accurate and timely completion of required activities. Serves as the primary operational contact for regulatory agencies and coordinates inspections and routine communications within delegated authority. Promptly informs the Director of actual or anticipated noncompliance and recommends corrective measures, resource needs and schedules.

Coordinates plant consultants and contractors; tracks assigned deliverables and implementation of approved recommendations; and identifies when specialized professional assistance is required. Regulatory commitments, contracts and expenditures remain subject to applicable City approval authority.

Leads the development, implementation, administration and ongoing improvement of the industrial pretreatment program, with consultant and City staff assistance as needed. Coordinates identification and classification of industrial users under applicable requirements, inspection and sampling procedures, review of discharge results and limits, records, corrective actions and enforcement within delegated authority. Directs assigned staff in industrial sampling and inspections and serves as the primary operational contact for industrial users. Recommends program, ordinance and discharge requirement changes for appropriate review and approval. Coordinates with collection system staff as needed; collection system management remains excluded.

Develops and maintains operating procedures, preventive maintenance priorities, emergency response procedures and staff training and cross-training plans. Supports operator certification development and establishes appropriate operating coverage and response arrangements.

Provides operational and technical leadership for plant improvements, equipment replacement, technology implementation and other assigned projects. Identifies and prioritizes capital maintenance and improvement needs; works with engineers and consultants to define project requirements and evaluate alternatives; and supports design, construction, testing, startup, staff training and commissioning. Oversees associated effluent disposal facilities and coordinates biosolids handling and hauling services. Tracks assigned work through completion within delegated authority.

Participates in regular department management meetings and provides the Director with clear updates on plant performance, compliance, personnel, maintenance and upcoming needs. Presents problems with recommended actions, estimated costs and consequences of delay; promptly elevates matters requiring authority or resources beyond the position.

Supervises assigned operators and trainees; approves schedules and leave within City policy; conducts evaluations; directs training and routine corrective action; and recommends hiring, advancement and significant discipline to the Director and Human Resources. Coordinates routine operator weekend and callout coverage and provides technical backup and response to significant emergencies.

Works with the Business Manager during annual budget preparation; monitors plant expenditures and commitments; reviews and codes invoices; and recommends capital maintenance, equipment replacement and improvement needs with costs and priorities. Provides operating data, cost forecasts and funding needs for utility rate studies and financial planning.

Evaluates power consumption, utility costs, equipment performance and operating practices to identify and implement cost-effective energy and operating efficiencies while maintaining treatment performance, safety and compliance. Coordinates energy planning and review of energy agreement milestones and transition options, with contract and financial decisions subject to City approval.

Uses available staff, equipment and funding resourcefully; evaluates practical alternatives, repair and replacement options, preventive maintenance and phased improvements; and recommends achievable solutions based on lifecycle costs and risk. Identifies funding shortfalls and their consequences promptly and does not defer required compliance or safety measures without appropriate escalation.

QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying entrance background is equivalency to completion of the twelfth grade with coursework in biology, engineering, industrial management, or a closely related field, and completion of formal training in wastewater treatment plant operations in addition to the following:

Wastewater Supervisor: Four years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment plant operations, including one year of supervisory or lead experience directing wastewater treatment personnel.

Wastewater Superintendent: Five years of responsible experience in wastewater treatment plant operations including two years of supervisory and management experience, with demonstrated responsibility for regulatory compliance coordination, budget development, staff supervision and plant improvement planning.

LICENSES REQUIRED: Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver’s License; possession and maintenance of a valid Grade III or higher Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator’s Certificate issued by the State of California.
Serves as the designated Chief Plant Operator when assigned and qualified under applicable State requirements.

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

Knowledge of:
     Advanced principles and practices related to the operation of a modern wastewater treatment facility;
     Recent developments and procedures for extracting waste material and pathogenetic elements;
     Supervision, operation, and maintenance of materials, equipment, and tools for a wastewater plant;
     Principles and practices of basic governmental budgeting;
     Principles of management, supervision, and training;
     Administration of work schedules, duties and work standards of a 24-hour wastewater treatment plant;
     Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations;
     Types and variety of safety procedures of wastewater treatment;
     Business Mathematics;
     Principles of composition and report writing;
     Personal computer usage including word processing, spreadsheets, maintenance management systems, and SCADA monitoring and data analysis;
     English usage, spelling and grammar;
     Basic public relations;
     Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
     Waste discharge requirements, monitoring and reporting programs, process control, effluent disposal pond management and biosolids handling;
     Industrial pretreatment program development and administration; energy efficiency, lifecycle cost evaluation and resource planning;

Ability to:
     Administer the treatment processes of wastewater and the drying and disposal of sludge;
     Supervise and schedule the duties of wastewater treatment plant personnel;
     Monitor operational expenses;
     Set priorities for, train, evaluate, select and recommend advancement/discipline of subordinates;
     Read and understand complex technical information;
     Prepare clear and concise technical reports;
     Perform accurate mathematical calculations;
     Analyze organizational problems and make responsive decisions;
     Delegate authority and responsibility to operators as appropriate;
     Operate a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices;
     Understand and carry out oral and written instructions in English;
     Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
     Exercise independent technical judgment, identify operational and compliance risks, and implement effective corrective action within delegated authority;
     Develop and present practical recommendations with supporting technical information, costs and implementation priorities;
     Develop practical, cost-effective operating solutions within limited resources while maintaining safety, reliability and regulatory compliance;

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
Regularly use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms; frequently stand, talk and hear; occasionally walk, sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, and smell; frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally up to 50 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Occasionally work in outside weather conditions in an environment of waste water; occasionally near moving mechanical parts; occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration; occasionally work in high, precarious places; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level is usually loud in field settings and moderately quiet in office settings. Provides technical backup and responds to significant plant emergencies outside normal working hours; routine weekend and callout coverage is assigned through the operator rotation. Occasional evening meetings.The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.