Wastewater Assistant Chief Operator

CPS HR Consulting (Client Recruitments); McPherson (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of McPherson in Kansas seeks a Wastewater Assistant Chief Operator to lead daily plant operations and safety. This role blends hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, including process monitoring, maintenance coordination, and regulatory reporting.

The ideal candidate will oversee laboratory activities, support the Superintendent, and drive staff development while maintaining compliance and promoting continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; 3+ years related experience preferred.
• Kansas Class IV Wastewater Operator Certification or transferable license.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License with good driving record.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of the wastewater plant.
• Support Superintendent/Chief Operator in management and leadership.
• Monitor processes, coordinate maintenance and supervise staff.
• Oversee laboratory activities and regulatory reporting.
• Lead staff training and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Operations management

Data analysis

Regulatory reporting

Laboratory oversight

Staff training

Troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Kansas Class IV Wastewater Operator Certification

Commercial Driver's License

KWEA Class I Laboratory Analyst Certification

Job description

City of McPherson, Kansas Wastewater Assistant Chief Operator

The City of McPherson is seeking an experienced and dedicated wastewater professional to serve as its next Wastewater Assistant Chief Operator. This is an opportunity to contribute to a growing community, take on meaningful leadership responsibility, and build a long-term career with the City.

The Wastewater Assistant Chief Operator helps coordinate day-to-day operations of the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant and supports the Superintendent/Chief Operator in maintaining safe, efficient, and compliant operations. The position combines hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, including process monitoring, maintenance coordination, laboratory oversight, regulatory reporting, staff training, and plant operations.

The Assistant Chief Operator also serves as Laboratory Director and Quality Assurance Officer, assists with industrial pretreatment and grease management programs, and assumes responsibility for the plant in the absence of the Superintendent/Chief Operator.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced wastewater professional ready to take on greater responsibility and grow into future leadership.

The City is seeking a wastewater professional who brings both the technical foundation to operate a complex treatment system and the leadership potential to help guide the department into the future. The ideal candidate understands wastewater treatment as both an operational and environmental responsibility and is comfortable analyzing process data, troubleshooting equipment and treatment issues, maintaining regulatory compliance, working in the field, and making sound decisions.

Experience with sequencing batch reactor wastewater treatment processes is highly desirable. Just as important, the successful candidate will be interested in leadership, staff development, continuous improvement, and building a long-term career with the City of McPherson.

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent and at least three years of similar or related experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Kansas Class IV Wastewater Operator Certification, or a comparable wastewater operator license from another state that is transferable to Kansas.


• Valid Commercial Driver's License with a good driving record.


• KWEA Class I Laboratory Analyst Certification or higher.