Wastewater Plant Superintendent

Ready To Lead? Become South Burlington's Next Wastewater Plant Superintendent

The East Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant (EBWWTP) is located on Stone Quarry Road in Burlington and was originally constructed in 1961 as 6.0 MGD trickling filter plant. In 1993, the plant was upgraded to an activated sludge with a treatment capacity of 12.0 million gallons per day (MGD) before undergoing further upgrade to include a 3-stage biological nutrient removal (BNR) process in 2014. The plant treats wastewater originates from areas within Burlington's city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), the Town of Green Level, the Town of Haw River, and portions of the Town of Gibsonville and the Town of Elon.

The employee in this role supervises the operations and maintenance of a wastewater treatment plant, focusing on equipment maintenance, process operations, and personnel management. Key responsibilities include selecting and training staff, managing public relations, collaborating with vendors, developing maintenance and replacement plans for equipment, and completing required reports for the City and state. The employee also makes operational decisions based on issues raised by wastewater plant operators, ensuring the smooth and compliant functioning of the plant.

Examples Of Duties

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensures the plant operates within NPDES regulations, maintaining compliance with the operating permit.
• Team Supervision & Training: Supervises, trains, and plans for staff activities, ensuring efficient plant operations.
• Operational Procedures: Establishes and updates plant operating procedures; determines equipment operation steps and tests new equipment.
• Performance Monitoring: Analyzes plant performance, maintenance needs, and lab results, adjusting processes as necessary.
• Technical Reporting: Prepares comprehensive technical reports detailing plant operations and performance.
• Safety & Compliance: Ensures all operations adhere to OSHA and other relevant safety standards.
• Budget & Planning: Develops a 5-year capital improvement plan, forecasts necessary funds, and manages staffing, equipment, and supply budgets.
• Plant Inspections & Tours: Regularly inspects plant equipment and facilities, ensuring optimal function and efficiency; conducts plant tours to explain operations.
• Inventory & Supply Management: Maintains chemical and supply inventory, monitors equipment lifespan, and orders necessary materials.
• Staff Management: Oversees hiring, performance evaluations, timekeeping, and training for division staff.
• Regulatory Reports: Completes and submits accurate regulatory reports within deadlines.
• Safety Engagement: Actively participates in Department Safety Meetings and ensures safety standards are met.
• Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as required.

Qualifications

Knowledge & Skills in Wastewater Treatment:

• Principles & Practices: Extensive understanding of the principles, practices, tools, and equipment used in wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Plant Operations: In-depth knowledge of the operating characteristics, maintenance needs, and troubleshooting of wastewater treatment plant systems.
• Engineering & Science: Proficient in hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical principles vital to effective wastewater treatment processes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive understanding of state and federal regulations governing sludge handling, effluent quality, discharge, and solids management.
• Safety & Hazard Management: Well-versed in the occupational hazards specific to wastewater treatment, along with the essential safety measures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Operational Expertise: Skilled in operating and maintaining all necessary plant equipment with efficiency.
• Lab Testing & Analysis: Proven ability to conduct required laboratory tests for wastewater quality control and process optimization.
• Facility Participation: Required participation on the facility Change Team for Process Safety Management (PSM) facilities to ensure compliance and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School or GED equivalency, 5 - 7 years of extensive work experience operating a municipal wastewater treatment plant, prior supervisory experience, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Valid North Carolina Driver's License
• Grade IV Wastewater Operator Certification
• Basic First Aid and CPR

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Work in this class is described as medium and frequently requires physical exertion to complete tasks and move objects.
• Work typically involves the ability to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, walking, pushing, pulling, fingering, grasping, and feeling.
• Employee must have the visual acuity to operate equipment such as trucks, forklifts, cranes, and other equipment.
• Employee is subject to hazards, including a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, exposure to chemicals, oils, noise, and atmospheric conditions and is required to wear a respirator when needed.
• The employee is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions.

FLSA Status: Exempt Inclement Weather Classification: Essential This job description in no way implies that the duties listed are the only ones the employee may be required to perform.