Operations Superintendent – Wastewater Treatment Facility

Veolia NA; Agawam (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Veolia North America seeks an Operations Superintendent for the 67 MGD Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. You will supervise operators, ensure safe and cost-effective operations, and coordinate with the SWSC contract to meet regulatory standards.

The role requires extensive wastewater experience, strong leadership, and the ability to manage budgets and reporting. A proactive approach to safety and compliance is essential in this senior legal operating environment.

Qualifications

• Ten years minimum experience in a wastewater treatment facility.
• Five years in a supervisor/manager role.
• Massachusetts Grade 7C Wastewater Operators License is required.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and supervise operators and staff to ensure safe and compliant operation of the facility.
• Develop and monitor KPIs; prepare weekly and monthly operations reports.
• Direct biosolids handling, dewatering and disposal with multiple options and maintain production schedules.
• Oversee maintenance coordination with the maintenance manager to prioritize PM and CM work.
• Prepare and manage the $4 million operations budget and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

Skills

Wastewater treatment

Biosolids handling

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Team leadership

CMMS systems

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Massachusetts Grade 7C Wastewater Operators License

Job description

Company Description

Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.

Job Description

Position Purpose:

Under the direction of the Project Manager plans, organizes, directs, trains and supervises the staff of wastewater treatment plant operators, residual technicians, and supervisors, in the safe and cost effective operation of the 67 MGD Springfield Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, wastewater and flood pump stations, combined sewer interceptor lines and CSO regulator stations. The Operations Superintendent will manage the operations scope of contract with the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission (SWSC) in order to develop a professional and mutually supportive relationship with the client and to execute policies and practices to ensure operations are in compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements. Ensures operation of the treatment facilities and performance of staff is accomplished in a safe and cost-effective manner, ensures completion of scheduled preventive and predictive maintenance tasks assigned to the operations group, plans and coordinates major equipment outages, works closely with the maintenance manager to establish maintenance priorities and develop programs for equipment replacement and facility improvements. Responsible for maintaining operational areas in a professional and well-kept appearance.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities:

• Evaluates, selects and applies intensive and diversified knowledge of practical techniques, procedures and criteria to operate and oversee others in the operation of the wastewater treatment process and related equipment.
• Develops and monitors systematic, ongoing review of key performance indicators.
• Prepares weekly and monthly operations reports
• Directs the operations of biosolids storage, dewatering and drying processes, sets production schedules and coordinates a diversified sludge management program for delivery of residual solids products to multiple disposal options.
• Directs performance of facility operations staff and audits and controls expenditures of the operational cost centers; monitors quality of work to ensure adherence to Company and industry standards and compliance with state, and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Ensure safe, cost-effective and efficient operations to meet Veolia standards of practice, SWSC contract, and all regulatory requirements.
• Ensures a sufficient staff of trained, experienced operators and supervisors are available to execute and sustain complex operations.
• Conducts investigations to troubleshoot and resolve routine to complex operational process and solids handling problems.
• Prepares and ensures that process control guidelines, testing, Standard Operating Procedures, Emergency Procedures and other accepted technical and operating tools are effectively utilized and applied in order to achieve the desired outcomes and results.
• Utilizes, develops, and manages the chemical, biosolids, and energy programs, contracts and usages to optimize the cost and budget results.
• Provides technical coordination and communication to the maintenance department and support functions to ensure that critical unit processes directly impacting key plant performance indicators and regulatory limits are being made available for PM and CM work and that capital equipment upgrades are being pursued in a timely manner. Coordinates with the maintenance manager to establish work prioritization and completion goals. Ensures timely completion of PM work assigned to the operations group.
• Defines need for capital improvement projects and assists in the development of plans and specifications and coordinates construction contractor work with operations.
• Serves on committees and represents the United Water Springfield at meetings and conferences.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and an industrial plant environment which involves moderate exposure to unusual elements, such as extreme temperatures, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, unpleasant odors, and/or loud noises.
• Work environment also involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.

Qualifications

Education/Experience/Background:

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• Minimum of ten (10) years working experience in a wastewater treatment facility.
• Five (5) years of experience in the role of a supervisor/manager.
• Massachusetts Grade 7C Wastewater Operators License required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Requires comprehensive/thorough knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, biosolids handling programs, air emissions systems and standards, laboratory standard methods for water and wastewater, and operation and maintenance procedures for related equipment.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local laws pertaining to a wastewater treatment facility with a NPDES permit.
• Excellent management, organizational, leadership, client relations, interpersonal, and communication skills in both oral and written forms.
• Comprehensive knowledge of operations, maintenance and wastewater treatment methods.
• Detailed knowledge required for a variety of conventional wastewater treatment processes and associated equipment including preliminary treatment, primary treatment, secondary treatment, odor control, chlorination, dechlorination, solids handling and all supporting processes.
• Must have detailed understanding of hazardous material handling, storage and usage
• Prepare, administer, and ensure compliance with annual $4 million operations department budget.
• Knowledge of engineering principles as related to wastewater treatment facilities.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers, Google Suite and process control data management programs.
• Knowledge of CMMS systems and able to utilize them to schedule and monitor both preventative and corrective tasks.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Knowledge of biosolids handling systems and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of air emission control systems and related permit and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to read, review and comment on the facility’s blueprints, plans and schematics.
• Knowledge of power distribution equipment, power switching and energy management systems.
• Knowledge of applicable OSHA safety requirements and related areas of confined entry, Personal Protective Equipment, CPR and First aid.
• Prepare and provide technical expertise in the development of air, biosolids and wastewater permits and reports for changing state and federal requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The job requires average physical effort including handling of average-weight objects up to 25 pounds standing; walking; climbing stairs, sitting; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and