PROGRAM MANAGER - UTILITY TREATMENT *

City of Fort Smith; Fort Smith, Northern (AR, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Smith seeks an experienced leader to manage the Treatment Program, overseeing multiple water and wastewater plants and dam safety initiatives. You will develop strategic goals, budgets, and capital plans, while ensuring compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.

You will direct a team, coordinate data, prepare reports, and liaise with regulators and stakeholders to advance long-term objectives of the utilities department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in environmental field or equivalent experience.
• 5 years’ combined water/wastewater treatment experience at Grade IV/Class IV plant.
• 5 years supervisory experience required.
• 3 years management experience or related coursework.
• Must obtain Grade IV Water/Wastewater licenses within 3 years of employment.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for water and sewer systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop program direction, priorities, goals, budgets and initiatives.
• Manage Water/Wastewater Treatment Plants and organizational structure; resolve sensitive matters.
• Develop resources for Treatment Program including records, data, inventories and staff.
• Provide analyses, reports and recommendations on plant operations and dam safety.
• Communicate with internal/external stakeholders for planning and coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor degree in Environmental Management, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field

Grade IV Water Treatment Operators License

Class IV Wastewater Operators License

Tools

Valid driver’s license

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:

The incumbent, under the guidance and direction of the Deputy Director of Operations, is responsible for the effective and efficient management and administration of the Treatment Program, including the Lake Fort Smith Water Treatment Plant, Lee Creek Water Treatment Plant, Massard Wastewater Treatment Plant, and “P” Street Wastewater Treatment Plant; and for providing subject matter guidance in developing long-term and short-term goals, strategic objectives and initiatives, operating and capital budgets, and financial plans. The position is also responsible for dam safety and dam safety plans, reports to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC), and compiling data for Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMR) and water reports required by state and federal agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

include the following: Other duties may be assigned.Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times.

• Assist in developing program direction, priorities, goals, objectives, budgets, and initiatives to fulfill the mission of the City and Utility Department.
• Effectively manage the Utility Department’s Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants, and organizational structure; and effectively resolve escalated personnel and other sensitive matters.
• Develop resources for a successfully Treatment Program, including records and data, inventories, computer and information systems, and an engaged and effective staff.
• Provide research, analysis, reports, presentations, and recommendations on water treatment plant operations, dam safety, and wastewater plant operations; and reports for treatment plants based on analytical sample analysis and operational data.
• Communicate verbally and in writing within and outside the Utility Department for planning and coordination, assisting with presentations to a wide variety of public and stakeholder groups, and tactfully handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Develop, coordinate, and manage goals and objectives, capital budgets, construction projects, and human resources.
• Act as the EAP Coordinator for dam safety plans/programs for the Lake Fort Smith and Lee Creek Dams.
• Prepare and file all required FERC reports and ANRC reports related to the dams.
• Log DMR data into the NetDMR Reporting system.
• Generate monthly water reports for submittal to the Arkansas Department of Health.
• Participates in classes and/or attend conferences that are deemed necessary by the Deputy Director of Operations and/or Utility Director.
• Follows City, Utility Department, and Wastewater Treatment Program safety practices and guidelines at all times, including wearing proper personal protective/safety equipment.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervises two (2) Water Plant Supervisors, and two (2) Wastewater Plant Supervisors. Indirectly supervises up to fifty-three (53) other employees within the program. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems, both internal and citizen related.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor degree in Environmental Management, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field; or experience equivalent to a listed degree in addition to the following described experiences may be considered.
• Five (5) years’ combined experience water and wastewater treatment of a Grade IV water and Class IV wastewater treatment plant.
• Five (5) years’ supervisory experience is required.
• Three (3) years’ management experience or confirmation of related management coursework is required.
• Must possess a Grade IV Water Treatment Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, or obtain said license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must possess a Class IV Wastewater Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality or be able to obtain the license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Thorough understanding and ability to provide leadership, motivation, supervision, training, and evaluation of the workforce through supervisory staff.
• Familiar with regulatory requirements for water and sewer systems.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be knowledgeable of all regulatory requirements.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

OTHER SKILLS/ABILITIES:

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read and interpret complex documents such as federal regulations, policy and procedure manuals. Ability to write complex reports and correspondence. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required. Ability to effectively communicate with industry representatives, employees, federal or state regulators. Ability to verbally communicate and provide excellent customer service.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, area, circumference, volume, and interpret graphs. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to use math to compute needed statistics for compliance determination.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to understand in written, oral, or diagram form complex variables and analyze them and explain results to others. The incumbent should possess knowledge of the use of tools and equipment in the department.

OFFICE PROCEDURE ABILITY:

The employee should also have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. Knowledge in the use of computers using Windows based word-processing, spreadsheet, and database application software.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Occasionally sit, use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance and peripheral vision. Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also required. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic and poisonous chemicals, caustic and corrosive chemicals, biohazardous material, explosive and flammable chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is at risk of electrical shock, radiation and vibration, and in high precarious places. The incumbent is also exposed to non-weather related wet, humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Availability for emergency afterhours, holiday, and weekend callout work is required. Working overtime may be required.

POSITION DESIGNATIONS

This position isdesignated as essential during inclement weather events. City services will be maintained during inclement weather, such as heavy snow or ice storms and all essential employees are expected to report to work due to the critical functions of the position. This position is not able to work remote. This position does have the potential to drive as part of their regular job duties. This position isdesignated as a safety/security sensitive position and issubject to random DOT drug and alcohol screenings and/or non-DOT drug and alcohol screenings (a safety/security sensitive position is one in which a momentary lapse in attention may result in injury or death of another person).

EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS

• Criminal History Background Check
• Post Offer Drug Screen in accordance with the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment
• Motor Vehicle Record Check

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Notice of Consent Decree Posting

The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas ("City") has entered into a Consent Decree in litigation with the United States of America and the State of Arkansas ("Consent Decree"). The Consent Decree was filed on April6, 2015, in civil action 14cv02266PKH, pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Fort Smith Division. The Consent Decree is available for review or copying on the City's website where it may be found at www.FortSmithWater.org .