Plant Manager - Wastewater

Salary: $87,076.00 - $141,062.00 Annually
Location : Various-Naples, FL, FL
Job Type: Full Time, Regular
Job Number: 10117
Department: Public Utilities Department
Division: Wastewater
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 6/18/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Pay Grade: CCG264


Job Summary
Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.
NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.
The Wastewater Plant Manager plays a vital role in safeguarding public health and protecting the environment by leading the daily operations of the wastewater treatment facility. This position oversees the complex processes that transform wastewater into clean, environmentally safe effluent, ensuring the facility operates efficiently and in full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The manager provides leadership and direction to plant staff, monitors treatment systems and equipment, and works proactively to maintain reliable, high-performing operations around the clock. In addition to guiding daily plant activities, the Wastewater Plant Manager manages budgets, oversees maintenance programs, and coordinates capital improvement projects that support the long-term sustainability of the facility. Working closely with engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the community, this role helps ensure that essential wastewater services are delivered safely, responsibly, and with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship.

Essential Functions


Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
Coordinates daily work activities; organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with assigned staff, assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
Supervises the operation of wastewater treatment plant equipment to maintain adequate water flow, proper water treatment, and proper plant functions; monitors plant treatment process and distribution system; shuts down and starts plant as necessary.
Supervises and assists with collection of wastewater samples for chemical analysis; oversees regular chemical tests to determine the chemical composition of water, to control quality, and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations; conducts periodic quality control tests; logs test results on daily charts and log sheets.
Supervises plant maintenance, building maintenance, grounds maintenance, or general/manual tasks. Supervises general cleaning/maintenance tasks necessary to keep plant facilities, equipment, and tools in operable condition, reports and replaces faulty equipment.
Controls wastewater treatment plant operations in accordance with all established regulations, standards, and procedures; operates and monitors plant/systems via computer; conducts visual plant inspections and monitors plant operations/processes to ensure proper operations and to detect equipment failures, potential leaks, or other problem situations; conducts field inspections or remote station inspections; troubleshoots outlying wells and pump stations; makes adjustments in plant operations as appropriate; performs preventive maintenance checks and procedures on plant equipment; reports faulty equipment or problem situations to appropriate personnel.
Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; performs a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) for each task in the facility; initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations.
Consults with Division management or other officials to review facility operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; coordinates plant projects/activities/capital projects with other divisions, contractors, outside agencies, or others as needed.
Assists in developing, implementing, and monitoring budget for plant; submits budget justifications and manpower justifications; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget.
Develops, updates, and implements standard operating procedures and plant protocols including security procedures and disaster preparedness plans.
Assists in developing and implementing long and short-term plans, goals, and objectives; evaluates efficiency and effectiveness of plant operations, methods, procedures, and use of resources; implements improvements as needed.
Plans, directs, and manages activities of a water treatment facility or a wastewater treatment facility; develops and implements facility programs; conducts plant inspections and troubleshoots problems; oversees and monitors the treatment process and laboratory analysis; inspects work performed by contractors and outside service providers; schedules plant projects and plant shutdowns; performs periodic safety checks; monitors feed rates of chemicals and hazardous materials; oversees entry of operational and inventory data into computer. Makes necessary adjustments to plant operations to function within compliance standards.
Performs administrative tasks; prepares, reviews, and authorizes reports, records, purchases, and operational data; reviews work schedules and monitors overtime; conveys relevant information to staff members; compiles payroll forms and submits for payment; writes and submits work orders for maintenance/repair needs; writes specifications, request for proposals (RPF), and bids for purchasing packages.
Maintains compliance with state licensing requirements; compiles permit data and submits permit applications per regulatory requirements; compiles data for production of monthly and quarterly regulatory reports; ensures timely submission of all required reports directly to appropriate regulatory agencies, explaining any violations that may have occurred.
Coordinates capital improvements, construction projects, and contracted services; ensures continual plant operations throughout expansion/construction activities; communicates with contractors and engineering personnel regarding planning for current/future capital projects; reviews proposals from engineering firms, attends bid meetings and attends project review board meetings.
Monitors inventory levels of division equipment, chemicals, and supplies; ensures availability of adequate materials to conduct work activities; initiates orders/requisitions for new or replacement materials; obtains competitive price quotes; prepares bid specifications; prepares executive summaries of annual bids or purchases for Board approval; receives incoming orders of chemicals and supplies; conducts periodic inventory counts; prepares and maintains asset inventory records.
Develops staff training programs and coordinates training activities; monitors certification/licensure of staff members to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Responds to complaints and questions related to plant operations or related issues; provides information, research problems, and initiates problem resolution.
Monitors gauges, meters, and charts to ensure proper plant operations; maintains logs/records of plant operations, meter/gauge readings, test results, chemical applications, and other data.
Performs public relations functions; provides education and information to the public regarding plant operations and related issues; coordinates plant tours; responds to questions from the media; participates in town hall meetings, homeowner association meetings and "Government Days".
Responds 24/7/365 to any situation in the facility that requires their presence/direction; each of their respective facilities is a continuous operation; the Plant Managers are on-call and carry pagers and/or cell phones provided by the County to ensure their response.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS
Performs other related duties as required.
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared emergency and/or declared emergency. On an incident-by-incident basis, the County's Administrative Office will make the determination as to who will be required to work.
This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, Management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary that are a logical assignment to the position.
Minimum Qualifications


Vocational/technical degree required. (College degree preferred)
Five (5) years of related experience.
Candidates without a degree should possess one (1) additional year of related experience.
Fingerprinting required.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATES
Must possess and maintain a Class A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License issued by the State of Florida based on area of assignment.
May be required to possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License with any applicable endorsement(s) to drive a County vehicle as provided in CMA 5805.

Supplemental information


Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.
Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County's Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.
This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.
Collier County BCC offers a variety of benefits to both regular full and part-time
employees. For information, click here to view the comprehensive benefits package we have to offer when you join our team.
01


APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I understand and agree with the statements above.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02


Do you possess a Vocational/Technical degree accompanied by at least five (5) years of related experience? (Note: Candidates without a degree should have one (1) additional year of related experience.

• Yes, I have a degree and five (5) years of related experience.
• Yes, I have a total of six (6) years of related experience, but no degree.
• No, I do not have either

03


Do you possess five (5) years of related experience?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you currently possess a Class A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License issued by the State of Florida?

• Yes
• No

05


How many years of experience working in wastewater treatment operations do you have?

• No Experience
• 1-2 Years of Experience
• 3-5 Years of Experience
• 6-9 Years of Experience
• 10+ Years of Experience

06


How many years of supervisory or management experience do you have in a wastewater treatment facility?

• No Experience
• 1-2 Years of Experience
• 3-5 Years of Experience
• 6-9 Years of Experience
• 10+ Years of Experience

07


Are you able to respond to plant emergencies on a 24/7 on-call basis if required?

• Yes
• No

08


What wastewater treatment processes have you personally operated or supervised? (State all that apply: Activated sludge, Biological nutrient removal (BNR), Membrane bioreactor (MBR), Oxidation ditch, Trickling filters, Others):
09


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question