Wastewater Division Chief - EM-07

County of Hawai`i; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Working Arrangements

Vacation up to 21 days per year

Sick Leave up to 21 days per year

13 paid holidays per year

Training and Development opportunities

Retirement Plan

Job summary

County of Hawai‘i seeks a seasoned wastewater division leader to plan, direct, and administer the county-wide wastewater facilities and programs. The role involves coordinating with engineers, contractors, and agencies to ensure compliant operation, maintenance, and capital improvements, while overseeing budgets, staffing, and safety standards.

Ideal candidates will hold an engineering degree and bring several years of supervisory experience in wastewater operations, with strong project

Qualifications

• Requires a baccalaureate degree in engineering as listed and six years of wastewater operation experience including construction, installation, maintenance or repair of a facility.
• Two years of administrative and supervisory work experience are required.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, and administers the County-wide wastewater division including installation, operation, maintenance, and testing of facilities and systems.
• Defines objectives and provides technical direction for pump stations and treatment plants.
• Reviews plans and specifications, negotiates with agencies and contractors, and manages the division budget and CIP programs.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, civil, electrical, marine, sanitary, or chemical engineering

Job description

Plans, directs, and administers the operation of the County’s wastewater division involving the planning, construction, operation, engineering, and repair and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facilities; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Department of Environmental Management - Wastewater Division in Hilo.

Appointment may be made at any rate within the salary range advertised above at which appropriate qualified applicants can be recruited. Starting salary will be based on the qualifications of the person selected.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• Plans, directs, and administers the County-wide wastewater division including the installation, operation, composition, maintenance, engineering, overhaul, repair, and testing of wastewater treatment and disposal facilities and systems; and sewer installation and connection in compliance with Federal, State, and County regulations.

• Formulates and directs the execution of divisional policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Interprets and implements laws, codes and ordinances, and departmental and administration's policies and regulations relating to wastewater and environmental impact.
• Consults with and advises contractors and engineers in the review, analyses, and interpretation of plans, designs, and specifications for alterations to existing facilities to determine the dependability, adequacy, and feasibility of structures and equipment from an operational standpoint.
• Plans and approves capital improvement projects; and reviews additions, modifications, and over-all needs for effective operation and maintenance.
• Develops and implements new methods and procedures.
• Adapts or alters equipment and appurtenances to obtain economy and optimum utilization of wastewater plant facilities.
• Plans and coordinates divisional programs with those of other County divisions and departments and federal, state, and private agencies.
• Defines objectives and gives technical direction in all phases of activities involving pump stations and treatment plants.
• Conducts feasibility studies and prepares cost estimates for the equipment replacement and capital improvement programs.
• Confers and negotiates with various governmental agencies and private firms for the construction, alteration, operation, and maintenance of plants and facilities.
• Receives and reviews complaints from the public; conducts field investigations when necessary; prepares response or meets with individuals to resolve issues.
• Assigns and reviews the work of subordinates; recommends personnel actions including hiring, promotion, disciplinary actions, and terminations; recommends personnel requirements and staffing for the division.
• Prepares and justifies the division’s annual budget requests and program expendituresand CIP budgets and monitors expenditures.
• Attends conferences and represents the department at council meetings, public hearings, or community organization meetings; maintains effective public relations.
• Keeps updated of the latest developments in wastewater treatment and disposal methods and equipment.
• Operates a vehicle to perform work-related duties.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in mechanical, civil, electrical, marine, sanitary, or chemical engineering (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• six (6) years of work experience in a wastewater operation which shall have included the construction, installation, maintenance, or repair of a wastewater treatment facility, of which
• two (2) years shall have included administrative and supervisory work experience.

License/Certificate Requirements

• possession of a current Certificate of Registration as a professional civil, chemical, mechanical, or electrical engineer in the United States at time of filing (scan and attach a copy of your current Certificate of Registration to your application), and
• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i Driver License (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire.)

Knowledge of

principles and practices of public administration, organization, supervision, budget formulation and control; principles and practices pertinent to the operation, installation, maintenance, overhaul, alteration, repair, and testing of wastewater treatment and pumping plant processes and equipment; sanitation requirements and principles involved in wastewater treatment; safety regulations and precautions; occupational hazards and safety practices; research methods and techniques; principles of hydraulics and electricity; and construction principles and practices applicable to wastewater treatment facilities and appurtenant equipment.

Ability to

plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of a large and varied division involved in the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities and systems; review, analyze, and interpret plans and designs prepared by engineers and contractors and recommend changes to meet operational and functional requirements; coordinate island-wide activities with other agencies; review, analyze, and interpret plans and specifications relating to wastewater projects and new equipment; interpret and apply laws, rules, regulation, policies, and procedures; formulate, implement, and revise policies and procedures; anticipate problems or issues that may arise and address them to prevent occurrence; direct maintenance activities at various plants; conduct investigations of complaints island-wide and recommend resolutions; develop and maintain an effective working relationship with employees, various departments, divisions, other governmental agencies, contractors, consultants, community organizations and the public; respond to emergencies; prepare and justify budget estimates; and occasionally direct work under hazardous and unfavorable conditions.

Physical Requirements

Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping

Light

Benefits of County employment

The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements:Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.

• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.