Wastewater Operations Supervisor

The Sanitary District of Decatur is a government organization that has provided wastewater treatment services for over 100 years.

We are looking for additional team members who are seeking a career where they can make a difference in our environment while taking advantage of competitive pay and secure retirement and benefits.

Why we work here:

We are a secure government organization over 100 years old, with the best Retirement (IMRF), dayshift hours and work/life balance.

* The Sanitary District of Decatur is a drug free workplace. This includes marijuana. Candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drug/alcohol screen, physical and background check post-offer.

Summary:

Supervises and coordinates the operational activities for a continuously operating 41 MGD Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Duties and Responsibilities:

(Other duties may be assigned)

Plant Operations

Plans, directs, coordinates, and manages the daily operation of the wastewater and biosolids treatment facilities. Develops process control strategies, analyzes operational and lab data, administers control changes to maximize treatment effectiveness, and generates required reports. Maintains, monitors and recommends modifications to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

Ensures compliance with State and Federal regulations and laws including, the Federal Clean Water Act, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements.

Inspects plant processes and utilizes operating data and laboratory results in conjunction with plant knowledge and experience to optimize plant operations and troubleshoot process control problems.

Schedules and assigns daily work and supervises plant operators on all shifts.

Schedules and conducts visitor tours at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Provides public relations assistance including providing technical responses and education programs.

Assures that the appropriate laboratory analyses and instrumentation are provided for wastewater and biosolids in various stages of treatment to monitor and control plant operation.

Project Management and Coordination

Recommends the purchase of equipment and supplies, assists in the development of specifications and bidding documents for procurement and performs new equipment setup and troubleshooting

Provides operational input to engineering studies and design for treatment facility improvement projects.

Acts as District liaison for administration of land application contracts.

Assists in the preparation of and administers the Operations department budget.

Communication

Effectively communicates in a timely manner all matters concerning the departmental issues with the Director of Compliance and Innovation.

Coordinates effective communications between the Operations department and all other departments and/or staff to ensure the efficient operation and management of District facilities, processes, and projects.

Safety, Staffing, and Training

Assumes responsibility for administration of the District's safety program for the Operations department.

Ensures that written SOPs are available for routine operating situations and supervises preparation of written SOPs for unusual situations as they arise.

Develops and implements a formal ongoing training program for existing and new operators. Institutes a culture and practice of trained plant operators taking ownership of treatment processes, determining and performing necessary adjustments within their assigned areas of responsibility.

Designs schedules and work assignments to achieve the most efficient use of operations staff resources.

Responds to emergency operating situations and includes emergency operations training and simulations in ongoing operator training. Works with other District departments to maintain availability of a sufficient number of trained emergency relief support staff.

Works with supervisors and managers in other departments to achieve District goals.

Maintains proficiency by attending conferences and meetings, reviewing reports, reading job related materials, and meeting with others in areas of similar responsibility.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directly supervises operators and other personnel as assigned.

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the District's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, selecting and training employees; assigning work; monitoring performance; coaching 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 ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and Experience:

High School or General Education Diploma (GED), ten (10) years of experience with progressive responsibility in the operation of an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant, knowledge of computer databases related to SCADA and maintenance management software, knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, occupation hazards and safety precautions related to wastewater treatment is required. College Course work in applied science, and supervisory experience is highly desirable.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret documents such as plans, specifications, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Must have ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Must have ability to speak effectively before groups of employees and visitors. May need to respond to media inquiries and participate in both on and off camera interviews.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute flow rate, volume, pounds of pollutants, population equivalents, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs. Should be proficient with personal computers and designated software.

Reasoning Ability:

Must have the ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

Must have and maintain an Illinois EPA Certificate of Competency as a Class 1 Wastewater Treatment Works Operator at the time of appointment. Must have a valid Illinois Driver's license.

Failure to successfully maintain required IEPA licenses will result in consequences up to and including termination.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office including Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint required. Strong organizational and planning skills with ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities required. Must be familiar with the terminology of common use in the wastewater treatment industry.

Physical Demands:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and read. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk (non-paved areas), sit, climb, balance, and use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms and smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may also be required to enter confined spaces and navigate construction in progress areas.

The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, and in an environment typical of an activated sludge wastewater treatment facility. These conditions include wet humid conditions (non-weather related), high precarious places, exposure to toxic and/or caustic conditions, risk of electrical shock, fumes, airborne particles and outdoor weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with periodic exposure to very loud noise levels for short duration.

RESIDENCY:

Must reside within the corporate limits of Macon County within 180 days of accepting position. Relocation assistance available.