WASTEWATER OPERATIONS MANAGER

Western Virginia Water Authority; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Virginia Water Authority in Roanoke, VA seeks a Wastewater Operations Manager to lead the wastewater treatment plant operations and drive safety, efficiency and compliance. You will manage budgets, coordinate maintenance, and report on performance to the Assistant Director of Wastewater and Environmental Programs.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in a wastewater-related field with five years of operational and five years of management experience, plus licensure or

Qualifications

• Direct and supervise personnel.
• Develop and review processes for the assigned area.
• Ability to analyze data and make decisions.
• Communicate technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Interpret safety rules, maps and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate all activities of the wastewater operations area.
• Prepare financial analyses for the budget and capital projects.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair with facilities teams.
• Prepare periodic activity reports for leadership.
• Establish communication with local/state health officials.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budgeting

Data analysis

Communications

Regulatory knowledge

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in wastewater field

Tools

Databases

Record-keeping systems

Job description

JOB POSITION: WASTEWATER OPERATIONS MANAGER

Division: Water Quality

Status: Exempt

Grade: 111

Job Code: 778

Reports to: Assistant Director of Wastewater and Environmental Programs

Date: 11-20-19

Revised Date: 09-22-26

Last Reviewed Date: 09-22-26

SUMMARY OF JOB

Manages/Coordinates the operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

Responsibilities entail accountability based on measurable cost-effective results for the substance, efficiency, productivity, treatment and quality of activities performed by the wastewater operations division. Assists in preparation/maintains assigned area's budget. Coordinates treatment and production at the wastewater treatment facility. Prepares periodic activity reports. Coordinates public relations for the wastewater treatment facility. Informs appropriate officials about financial, engineering, treatment upgrades and other needs of the wastewater treatment facility. Coordinates maintenance/repair activities at the wastewater treatment facility. Reviews collection of data and other information for necessary changes and improvements to treatment systems/processes. Establish/maintain direct communication with local/state health officials. Bachelor's degree in a wastewater related field plus five (5) years related experience/training in the operation of wastewater treatment and five (5) years experience in a management/supervisory capacity. Class I and Onsite Sewage System Operator license from Virginia Board of Waterworks/Wastewater Works or ability to obtain license within 12 months of employment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned or scheduled.

• Plans, directs and coordinates all activities of assigned areas.
• Prepares short and long-range plans for assigned area to include financial analysis and project review.
• Assists in the formulation and administration of departmental policies, plans and programs.
• Takes active role or assures subordinates take active role in developing employees by establishing individual employee goals and objectives. Assures appropriate resources are available to obtain established goals and objectives.
• Assures department orientation and in-service training programs are available to all employees.
• Recommends appointments and promotions within assigned area.
• Works with department management in regards to disciplinary action including dismissal of employees.
• Assures employee evaluations are complete and accurate and meets all requirements.
• Assists in preparation of assigned area's budget and maintains authorized budget.
• Confers with department management on problems encountered in assigned area.
• Coordinates treatment and production at the wastewater treatment facility.
• Plans and directs in-service training programs.
• Prepares periodic activity reports for Assistant Director of Wastewater and Environmental Programs.
• Coordinates public relations for wastewater treatment facility.
• Assists superintendent and department management with preparation of budget and Capital Improvement Projects.
• Informs appropriate officials about financial, engineering and other needs of the wastewater treatment facility.
• Coordinates maintenance and repair activities at the wastewater treatment facilities with the Industrial Maintenance Manager.
• Coordinates allocation and assigns locations of wastewater personnel.
• Assists in collection of data and other information for necessary changes and improvements to treatment systems and processes.
• Establish and maintain direct communication with local and state health officials.
• Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages/supervises assigned employees in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

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.

• Ability to direct and supervise personnel.
• Ability to develop, review and recommend processes and procedures for assigned area, identifying and discussing impact on assigned area, the division and the entire organization.
• Ability to think logically and analyze data.
• Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or employees as necessary
• Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from employees and customers orally or in writing as necessary.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, other Wastewater departments and the general public.
• Ability to represent assigned area in meetings attended.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and negotiate and resolve conflict.
• Ability to analyze and solve difficult technical and administrative problems.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, maps and procedure manuals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in writing, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to write reports, correspondences and procedure manuals in a clear concise manner.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work alone or in a team environment.
• Sound understanding of plant process.
• Must possess and maintain a good work ethic concerning attendance, punctuality, positive attitude, meeting deadlines, being a team player and encouraging teamwork among employees.
• Comprehensive knowledge of methods and practices involved in designing, operating, and maintaining wastewater systems and processes; thorough knowledge of project management and thorough knowledge of rules, regulations, laws and ordinances pertaining to operations of the Authority and State and Federal requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices involving the treatment of wastewater. Ability to develop plans and organize projects; ability to keep records and to prepare technical reports; ability to schedule and supervise the activities of employees; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Thorough knowledge of computers, applications in databases and record‑keeping systems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a wastewater related field, five (5) years related experience and/or training in the operation of wastewater treatment and five (5) years experience in a management or supervisory capacity in a wastewater treatment facility or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATE, LICENSE, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license or have the ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment date. No more than six (6) demerit points on driving record if required to drive Water Authority vehicles.
• Possession of a valid Wastewater Operator Class I and Onsite Sewage System Operator license from Virginia Board of Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators or the ability to obtain license within 12 months.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS JOB

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 is regularly required to walk, stand, sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk, hear and smell.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. If corrective lenses are noted on driver's license, the lenses must be worn when operating Authority vehicles.
• Repetitive movement using equipment is involved.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, climb (ladders/stairs), balance or crawl.
• Employee must be able to stand for an extended amount of time at the jobsite.
• Employee must be physically able to walk several miles during the day.
• Employee must physically able to reach overhead.
• Employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Employee must regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally 50 pounds. Assistance is required on weight amounts above those listed. Failure to do so could result in injury and denied Worker's Compensation benefits.

WORK ENVIRONMENT ENCOUNTERED IN THIS JOB

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.

• Employee will be regularly exposure to moderate or high noise level, extreme outside weather conditions, uneven, steep, slippery terrain conditions, dusty conditions and wet and/or humid conditions.
• Employee will be subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment operation.
• Employee will be subject to roadway hazards, i.e traffic.
• Employee will be subject to outside hazards, i.e. poison ivy, bees, spiders, dirt, animals.

GENERAL STATEMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to in this job position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties and tasks performed by personnel so classified.

The following will identify the selection guidelines for job placement:

• WVWA application
• Rating of education, experience, training and qualifications
• Reference checks
• Interview with WVWA management team
• Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test
• A criminal background check and social security number verification will be performed. The results must match information provided by the applicant on the WVWA application
• Job related test might be required and would be administered to all applicants applying for the position