WATER OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

Western Virginia Water Authority; Roanoke (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Western Virginia Water Authority is seeking a Water Operations Supervisor to oversee daily operations and maintenance of water treatment equipment. Responsibilities include supervising staff, monitoring SCADA systems, and ensuring water quality compliance.

The ideal candidate will possess a high school diploma or GED, relevant college coursework, and at least five years of experience in water plant operations. A Class I Water license from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation is required.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of related experience in water plant operations.
• Some supervisory experience required.
• Class I Water license from Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation required.

Responsibilities

• Supervises water operators in daily operations/maintenance.
• Monitors/control water plant/system functions through SCADA.
• Conducts water quality tests.

Skills

Supervising personnel

Scheduling work

Effective communication

Problem-solving

General knowledge of chemistry

Education

High school diploma or GED

College level courses in chemistry and water plant operations

Tools

SCADA system

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB POSITION: WATER OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR

SUMMARY OF JOB

Performs responsible technical and skilled work supervising water operators in daily operations/maintenance of water treatment equipment and processes. Is the responsible operator in charge of assigned shift. Operates SCADA system to monitor/control water plant/system functions. Makes rounds of plant, checking for proper operation of processes. Measures chemical feed rate and calculates dosages. Checks/calibrates process instrumentation. Operates pumps/valves/sluice gates. Performs accuracy tests/leak surveys/valve locations. Interprets maps/drawings/schematics. Checks/lubricates and repairs pumps/aerators/air compressors/emergency generators/other plant equipment. Assists in water quality lab making routine physical/chemical tests. Maintain logs. Cleans, paints and performs other general maintenance duties. Oversees plant in absence of Water Operations Supervisor. Graduation from high school/GED equivalent supplemented by college level courses in chemistry and water plant operations plus five (5) or more years related experience in water plant operations with some supervisory experience. Class I Water license from the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for Waterworks and Wastewater Works required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs and coordinates work of assigned employees.
• Takes active role in developing employees by establishing individual employee goals and objectives. Assures appropriate resources are available to obtain established goals and objectives.
• Makes recommendations to management on appointments and promotions within assigned area.
• Assures employee evaluations are complete and accurate and meet all requirements.
• Assists in the scheduling, assigning, supervising and inspecting required for operation of water filtration plants.
• Coordinates maintenance and repair of plant equipment and requisition of supplies, materials and related inventory.
• Prepares weekly work schedule.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Operates SCADA system to monitor and control water plant and system functions.
• Adjusts chemical feed rate and calculates dosages for optimum performance.
• Checks and calibrates process instrumentation.
• Assists in water quality lab.
• Operates pumps, valves and sluice gates.
• Assists with preparation of reports to state and local authorities.
• Assists in the training of staff in operation of water treatment processes and preparation for certification exams.
• Keeps accurate records of test results relating to water operations.
• Maintains logs of plant operations.
• Subject to twenty-four (24) hour call and works varied shifts as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

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

• Ability to direct and supervise work of assigned personnel.
• Ability to schedule work and assign tasks for all personnel assigned to his/her shift.
• Ability to provide input into departmental budget and employee performance evaluations.
• Ability to review and recommend improvements in processes and procedures for assigned area.
• Ability to think logically and comprehend data.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work safely and obey all safety rules.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and in writing.
• Ability to respond to inquiries from employees and customers orally or in writing as necessary.
• Ability to represent assigned area in meetings attended.
• Ability to identify problems and/or conflict and seek management assistance in dealing with problems and/or conflicts.
• Ability to analyze and solve technical and administrative problems.
• 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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, other Water Authority departments and the general public.
• Ability to work alone or in a team environment.
• Must possess and maintain a good work ethic concerning attendance, punctuality, positive attitude, meeting deadlines, being a team player and encouraging teamwork among employees.
• General knowledge of chemistry and laboratory procedures, and ability to use laboratory equipment.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal effectively with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of operation of a water treatment facility.
• Ability to pass a respirator fit test.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) supplemented by college level courses in chemistry and water plant operations plus five (5) or more years related experience and/or training in water plant operations with some supervisory experience 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 Class I license from Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation for Water Works and Wastewater Works.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• 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, 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 be physically able to regularly reach overhead.
• Employee must regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally 100 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

• Employee will be regularly exposed 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.
• Employees will be subject to roadway hazards, i.e. traffic.
• Employee will be subject to outside hazards, i.e. poison ivy, bees, spiders, dirt, animals.
• Employee will be subject to confined areas, i.e. confined spaces, sewer manholes, water vaults, wastewater pits, and/or protected trenches.