Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

The Probst Group; Richland Center (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Probst Group is seeking an Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager in Richland Center, WI. This role involves managing operations of industrial wastewater treatment systems, ensuring compliance and safety, and leading a team in achieving strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will have an Associate degree, strong leadership skills, and experience in wastewater operations. Benefits include a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional development and up to 25% travel requirements.

Qualifications

• Respond onsite within 45 minutes when on call.
• Lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must obtain Advanced Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the safe and efficient operation of the wastewater treatment systems.
• Oversee lab analysis of wastewater samples.
• Generate team KPI summaries and drive accountability.

Skills

Strong communication and customer service skills

Strong planning and organizational skills

Ability to read P&IDs, controls narratives, and O&M manuals

Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Basic understanding of chemical, biological, and environmental science

Education

Completion of an Associate or higher degree in a related field or equivalent work experience

Job description

The Probst Group is excited to announce an opportunity within our Technical Services Team. We are seeking an Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager (Assistant Plant Manager) to help support our customers and enhance the operation of our industrial wastewater treatment system in Richland Center, WI.

Although officially established in 2008, Probst Group has been providing customized solutions to meet our clients' unique needs for over 30 years. We take pride in our extensive experience in industrial wastewater engineering and operations.

The Assistant Plant Manager supports clients and the organization by helping lead the safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operation of industrial wastewater treatment systems. Working closely with the Plant Manager, Operators, Technical Services leadership, and client representatives, this role provides strong field presence, sound judgment, and clear communication. The Assistant Plant Manager also offers operational support during normal business hours, after hours, and on weekends as needed, while helping drive daily execution, team accountability, operational improvement, and client confidence.

Team Management

Key responsibilities for the Assistant Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

• Work with team members on their individual growth & development plans, ensuring that personnel follow our Core Values
• Voice strategic initiatives from the team to next-level leadership
• Develop and distribute task lists following designated Company Work Instructions on a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual basis to all plant staff
• Actively participate in Department Meetings
• Generate team KPI summaries and drive accountability for team KPI performance
• Lead performance discussions (reviews, PIPs, etc) for direct reports
• Review and approve time sheets and vacation requests

Plant Management

• Review plant process operating data and provide comments, observations, and recommendations
• Escalate process, compliance, safety, mechanical, staffing, or customer-related concerns to the Plant Manager and senior management as appropriate
• Oversee onsite laboratory analysis of wastewater samples for process control and verify that required samples are submitted to certified laboratories as needed
• Provide wastewater troubleshooting and operational support in both field and office environments
• Maintain accurate records of operations, maintenance activities, process data, and compliance-related information
• Assist with the administration of the preventive maintenance program through MaintainX or other CMMS platforms, including assigning and following up on tasks
• Operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and support the repair of equipment within the scope of operations contracts, while assisting with Health & Safety initiatives at the facility
• Participate in On-Call rotations after hours and on weekends
• Other duties as assigned

Travel Expectations

Up to 25% as business needs require.

Requirements

• Completion of an Associate or higher degree in a related field or equivalent work experience
• Must be able to respond onsite within 45 minutes when on call
• Valid driver’s license
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• This position anticipates traveling up to 25% of the time, or as business needs require
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Basic understanding of chemical, biological, and environmental science
• Ability to read P&IDs, controls narratives, and O&M manuals
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Ability to obtain Advanced Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certifications for the following subclasses
• A1 – Suspended Growth Processes (Activated sludge and variants)
• A5 – Anaerobic Treatment of Liquid Waste (High-strength liquid waste treatment system)
• B – Solids separation (Clarifiers, membranes, filters, tertiary phosphorus removal, etc)
• C – Biological solids/sludge handling, processing, and reuse (aerobic and anaerobic digestion, thickening, dewatering, land application
• P – Total Phosphorus

Preferred Qualifications

• 4-6+ years in wastewater operations, or commissioning & start-up of wastewater equipment
• 3+ years of team leadership experience
• Advanced Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Wastewater Certifications or other state equivalent certifications
• Advanced understanding of chemical, biological, and environmental science