Assistant Plant Manager - Wastewater Treatment

Veolia•Naugatuck, CT

About The Position

The Assistant Plant Manager, described in the posting as a Deputy Site Leader, assists the Site Leader in managing daily operations and ensuring activities align with organizational goals and operational standards. The role helps address operational challenges, communicates site goals and updates, supports a collaborative work environment, and adapts to changing site needs. The Assistant Plant Manager helps maintain safety, quality, and efficiency standards, implements process improvements, and leads site operations when the Site Leader is absent. The role supports team performance, safety and regulatory compliance, contract execution, reliable project delivery, customer relationships, cost control, and facility management. It typically supervises fewer than 10 FTEs and independently manages facilities generally below 1 MGD, or supports the Site Leader at facilities generally between 1 and 5 MGD. The work environment typically has moderate noise. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, at least three years of leadership experience (including two years in a supervisory or lead role), and a Connecticut Class I Wastewater Operator Certification. The employee must be able to obtain a Class III Wastewater Operator Certification within 36 months of employment. A degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field is preferred but not required. The posted annual pay range is $110,000 to $120,000.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three years of leadership experience, including two years in a supervisory or lead role, focused on assisting leadership and contributing to operational success.
Connecticut Class I Wastewater Operator Certification.
Ability to obtain a Class III Wastewater Operator Certification within 36 months of employment.
Comprehensive understanding of unit processes applicable to water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.
Knowledge of water treatment processes, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, including primary, secondary, and tertiary treatment.
Proficiency with general computer applications, including Microsoft Office Suite, data entry and management systems, and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working with the Site Leader, staff, customers, and external stakeholders.
Ability to foster teamwork, support team performance, and communicate effectively.
Ability to regularly talk or hear; frequently stand, walk, climb stairs or ladders, sit, use hands to handle or feel objects, reach, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.
Ability to regularly lift 10–25 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

A degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field.
Knowledge of electrical systems relevant to water and wastewater facilities.
Knowledge of mechanical systems used in treatment plants.
Knowledge of instrumentation and control systems for process monitoring and automation.
Experience with SCADA systems.
Familiarity with water quality testing and analysis techniques.
Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements.
Basic troubleshooting skills for equipment and processes.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics.

Responsibilities

Assist the Site Leader with daily operations and address operational challenges with hands-on support.
Communicate site goals, procedures, and updates to team members and promote teamwork and collaboration.
Help manage team performance, identify improvement areas, coach employees, and mentor junior team members.
Promote a positive work culture, manage resources, and communicate business initiatives and goals.
Promote a safety-first culture; support safety checks and audits, conduct safety training, and monitor safety performance.
Maintain compliance with OSHA, state, Veolia safety and environmental programs, contracts, and environmental, health, safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency response procedures.
Monitor project delivery performance and maintain quality and consistent results.
Coordinate problem resolution and manage conflicting priorities.
Build and maintain customer and stakeholder relationships; respond promptly and professionally to customer concerns and complaints; support client communications and step into client-facing roles as needed.
Contribute to new business opportunities and efforts to improve Net Promoter Scores.
Identify and implement operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives; support OPEX initiatives and budgeting and cost control.
Monitor and report on site-level financial transactions and optimize resource use to minimize downtime.
Manage facilities generally less than 1 MGD, or support the Site Leader at facilities generally between 1 and 5 MGD, aligning responsibilities with the supervisor when part of a common project.
Step in to lead site operations when the Site Leader is absent.
Develop operational and leadership skills in preparation for a future leadership role.