Chief Operator at Waste Water Treatment Plant

City of Northampton; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 107,453,000 - 140,515,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits per union

Job summary

City of Northampton seeks a Chief Operator for the Waste Water Treatment Plant to supervise daily operations, balance lab and maintenance tasks, and ensure regulatory compliance. The role includes budget input, staff training, safety enforcement, and coordination with pump and flood-control facilities.

Qualifications include an Associate's Degree in engineering or environmental science, 3–5 years in municipal wastewater with supervisory experience, and a Massachusetts Grade 6C license plus valid

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree in engineering, environmental science or related field.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred; municipal wastewater knowledge is a plus.
• Three to five years of experience in municipal wastewater operations with supervisory exposure.
• Massachusetts Grade 6C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator license and valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations, laboratory and maintenance functions of the wastewater plant and coordinate corrective actions.
• Prepare reports, review lab results, assist in annual budgets and recommend plant improvements.
• Supervise crew, train staff, and enforce safety regulations; discipline as needed.
• Order supplies and maintain inventory of chemicals, tools, and parts.
• Oversee plant and pumping station operations; monitor alarms and adjust as necessary.
• Perform lab tests and monitor influent/effluent samples as required by regulations.

Skills

Mathematical skills

Computer skills

Supervisory skills

Microsoft Office

Blueprint reading

GIS proficiency

Education

Associate's Degree in engineering or environmental science

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

CHIEF OPERATOR at WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT

• One (1) Full-time Vacancy
• 40 Hours per week
• Monday through Friday
• Grade J; Hourly Rate Range: $37.82 - $49.19
• Anticipated Hiring Hourly Rate Range: $37.82 - $42.60

DEFINITION

This position is responsible for performing supervisory and skilled manual and technical work in coordinating and directing work crews in the efficient operations of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and its ancillary sewer, leachate and flood control pumping facilities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manages the operations, laboratory and maintenance functions of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and makes appropriate corrective actions to mitigate potential problems and restore proper operating standards and methods to mechanical and biological processes.
• Prepares necessary reports; reviews lab reports of employees, assists in the preparation of annual budgets as requested; recommends repairs and other plant needs for capital improvements process; recommends Plant needs to the Superintendent.
• Facilitates work assignments for the crew, supervises the training of new staff, and recommends disciplinary actions to the Superintendent.
• Understands and enforces all safety regulations.
• Responsible for the ordering of supplies and equipment including chemicals, tools, and replacement parts; maintains inventory of supplies.
• Performs lab tests or participates in the laboratory rotation; obtains and tests samples of influent and effluent as required by regulation or Plant schedule; monitors computer readings of Plant operations to ensure efficient operations and assists in making adjustments as necessary.
• Oversees Plant and Pumping Station operations to determine efficiency, safety, and quality; evaluates alarms and determines appropriate remedial actions in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Directs flood control pump station operations as weather or other conditions require; manages maintenance of flood control pumps and ancillary flood control pumping facilities.
• Understands and enforces all safety regulations.
• May be required to perform responsibilities of subordinate positions.
• Performs similar or related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under administrative direction, working from municipal policies and objectives; individual establishes short-range plans and objectives, own performance. Consults with supervisor only where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required. The employee is also expected to attempt to resolve conflicts which arise and coordinate with others as necessary.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Employee, as a regular and continuing part of the job, is accountable for the quality and quantity of work done by subordinates and assures the accomplishment of the assigned work in the prescribed manner.

JUDGEMENT

The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems and situations and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. Employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations.

COMPLEXITY

The work consists of employing many different concepts, theories, principles, techniques and practices. Assignments typically concern such matters as studying trends in the field for application to the work, assessing services and recommending improvements.

NATURE AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Relationships are constantly with co-workers, vendors, contractors the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, and representatives of professional organizations. The employee serves as a recognized authority of the organization in matters of substance or considerable importance. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The employee has access to sensitive and confidential information in the performance of their duties, including personnel records.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate's Degree in engineering, environmental science or a related field, Bachelor's Degree preferred; three to five years of experience in municipal wastewater operations, with one to two years in a supervisory capacity; equivalent combination of education and experience.

Massachusetts Grade 6C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator license and valid driver's license required at the time of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, AND SKILLS

Knowledge: Knowledge of the principles and operating procedures of municipal wastewater treatment and sanitary sewer systems; knowledge of the materials, methods and techniques of wastewater treatment and state and federal pollution control regulations; knowledge of electricity and hydraulics; knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics.

Abilities: Ability to supervise personnel; ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; ability to read and fully understand construction and as-built plans.

Skills: Mathematical skills, computer skills, supervisory skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, blueprint reading, GIS proficiency.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is performed in an office environment or in the field. When in the field, working conditions involve exposure to machine or related noise or a combination of unpleasant elements such as odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, heat, cold, oil, dirt, grease or adverse weather conditions. Work may require emergency response outside of normal business hours in all weather conditions. May be required to weigh competing and concurrent demands under deadline pressures. Travel, particularly during adverse weather conditions, may be required.

PHYSICAL, MOTOR, AND VISUAL SKILLS

Physical Skills:Administrative work is performed in an office setting requiring sitting, standing, walking and stooping. May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds. When in the field, work requires moderate physical strength and effort, such as travel on foot over rough terrain or construction sites. In addition, standing or walking for the full day may also be involved.

Motor Skills:The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination, including the performance of laboratory tests.

Visual Skills:Essential position functions require the ability to routinely read materials for general understanding and analytical purposes and the ability to view documents and spreadsheets on a computer monitor. In addition, essential position functions require the ability to operate a motor vehicle and require good close, distant, color and peripheral vision and depth perception at correctable ranges.

BENEFITS:

Full Benefits and privileges are consistent with The Northampton Administration and Professional Employees Association (NAPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~