Plant Operations Team Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Sanitation District No. 1

Plant Operations Team Leader

Schedule Example:

Week 1 - Monday, Thursday, Friday

Week 2 - Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday

Hours Days: 6:30a – 7:00p

Nights: 6:30p – 7:00a

Team leaders will rotate days and nights every three months.

Position Summary:

The Operations Team Leader will supervise and coordinate the work of the teams operating the Plant. This position will be responsible for scheduling the daily work of the team, overseeing its successful completion, and ensuring operational efficiency. The Team Leader will provide day-to-day supervisory leadership and serve as a liaison between team and Plant Management.

This role requires a leader who can foster accountability, provide consistent coaching and feedback, and actively participate in departmental planning and improvement efforts. The Team Leaders expected to demonstrate leadership through initiative, collaboration, and commitment to excellence in service delivery.

Duties for this position will include, but are not limited to:

• Scheduling & Supervision:
  Schedule work procedures for the team and communicate any priority work that may supersede the schedule. Oversee the team’s work to assure prompt and accurate completion. Assist team members in completing their work when necessary and support problem-solving initiatives. Engage the team in discussions about Plant operations, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  Provide direct supervision for the team by tracking performance, handling disciplinary issues, conducting performance reviews, coaching and mentoring staff, and facilitating opportunities for cross-training and professional growth. Lead by example in demonstrating SD1’s core values, fostering collaboration, and encouraging team ownership of work outcomes.
• Strategic and Organizational Leadership:
  Participate in leadership meetings, contribute to planning and goal-setting processes, and implement operational changes or initiatives from management. Support a culture of continuous improvement by identifying and acting on opportunities to increase efficiency, improve safety, and reduce costs.
• Communication & Representation:
  Display strong verbal and written communication skills by keeping accurate records of team activities, preparing reports and summaries of team performance, and effectively communicating operational updates to the Director of Operations and other stakeholders. Act as a key point of contact for the team during interdepartmental coordination.
• Safety Leadership:
  Actively enforce and support SD1’s safety initiatives. Provide regular safety training to the team, ensure all members adhere to safety protocols, and model safety-first behavior in all aspects of operations.
• Responsiveness & Reliability:
  The Team Leader should be available to respond to all emergencies related to the team’s work and may need to work overtime to complete assignments. The ability to stay calm under pressure and coordinate an appropriate response is essential.

Position Requirements:

• Possess the ability to work a structured three-month rotation, alternating between day shift and night shift on a consistent cycle.
• Must possess an active Class II Kentucky Wastewater Treatment Operator License.
  If the selected Team Leader(s) does not currently hold this license, they must obtain it as soon as they become eligible at two years of experience. The Team Leader is required to obtain their Class II license no later than their third year of experience. Failure to secure the required license by the third-year deadline may result in reassignment to an Operator position.
• Attend and participate in at least 80% of SD1 events and team meetings. This includes training opportunities, group outings, and other professional developments engagements.
• The Team Leader must provide their manager with monthly employee updates, to include attendance, productivity, and training developments.
• Demonstrated initiative, reliability, and decision-making ability.
• In-depth knowledge of Plant equipment, operations, and procedures.
• Proven experience with leadership and supervisory responsibilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and lead a team effectively.
• Understanding of SD1’s management culture and ability to lead in alignment with its values.

Competency Requirements:

Mandatory – Ethics & Integrity, Responsibility & Accountability, Teamwork & Cooperation, Job Knowledge & Performance, Organization Support and Safety Awareness

Core – Flexibility & Adaptability, Initiative & Self Development, Communication, Productivity and Quality & Customer Service

Functional – Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, Openness & Good Judgment, Active Listening, Continual Learning & Building a Learning Organization, Visual & Spatial Ability, Analytical Thinking and Crisis Management

Supervisory – Team Building and Employee Development & Feedback

Physical Requirements

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.

Items Used

% of time used

Handheld tools (hammers, shovels, sledgehammer, etc.)

50%

Equipment (quickie saw, drills, jackhammer, etc.)

5%

Heavy equipment (backhoes, skid steers, etc.)

10%

Machinery (pumps, motors, mounted saws, etc.)

10%

Computer or Laptop

25%

Please list the items that are used in this position and the associated % of time:

Positions

% of time in position

Up to how much weight

Standing

50%

Walking

50%

Lifting or moving

50%

50 lbs.

Climbing or balancing

5%

Pulling

10%

50 lbs.

Pushing

10%

50 lbs.

Cramped or confined spaces

5%

Sitting

50%

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

35%

Other positions and the associated % of time:

Work Environment and Conditions:

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.

Exposure to conditions

% of time exposed

Dirt/Mud

25%

Significant heat

5%

Significant cold

5%

Smoke or fumes

2%

Harmful chemicals

15%

Water or wastewater

15%

Moderate or louder noise

5%

Vibration

2%

Grease or oil

20%

Electric shock risk

5%

Dust/Shavings

25%

Office Environment

10%

Required Education/Training:

• A minimum of a high school diploma/GED, preferably higher education with a degree or certification in a related field.
• Proficiency with computers.
• Proficient with Lucity Desktop and Dashboard.