Chief Operator at Waste Water Treatment Plant

City of Northampton • Northampton, MA

5h

About The Position

The Chief Operator performs supervisory, skilled manual, and technical work coordinating and directing crews in the efficient operation of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant and ancillary sewer, leachate, and flood control pumping facilities. The position manages plant operations, laboratory work, and maintenance; monitors treatment processes and plant readings; and takes corrective action to address problems and maintain operating standards. The Chief Operator also oversees pumping station operations and directs flood control pumping as conditions require.

The role assigns and oversees crew work, trains new staff, recommends disciplinary actions and plant needs to the Superintendent, and helps prepare reports and annual budget materials. It is responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies and equipment inventory, conducting or participating in laboratory testing, and ensuring safety regulations are followed. The employee works under administrative direction, exercises judgment in applying policies and regulations, and is accountable for the quality and quantity of subordinate work.

Work takes place in an office or in the field, where conditions may include noise, odors, chemical fumes, dust, smoke, temperature extremes, oil, dirt, grease, and adverse weather. Emergency response outside normal business hours and travel during adverse weather may be required. The position may involve deadline pressures and competing demands.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Three to five years of experience in municipal wastewater operations, including one to two years in a supervisory capacity; equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Massachusetts Grade 6C Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator license required at the time of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required at the time of hire.
• Knowledge of municipal wastewater treatment and sanitary sewer systems, wastewater treatment methods and materials, state and federal pollution control regulations, electricity, hydraulics, biology, chemistry, and physics.
• Ability to supervise personnel, communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and read and understand construction and as-built plans.
• Mathematical, computer, supervisory, blueprint-reading, and GIS skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to perform laboratory tests and work in field conditions, including travel on foot over rough terrain or construction sites; ability to lift objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to respond to emergencies outside normal business hours and travel in adverse weather when required.
• Ability to meet the position’s visual requirements, including operating a motor vehicle and having correctable close, distant, color, and peripheral vision and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operations, laboratory, and maintenance functions of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and take corrective action to address potential problems and restore proper operating standards.
• Prepare reports, review employee laboratory reports, assist with annual budget preparation as requested, and recommend repairs, capital improvements, and other plant needs to the Superintendent.
• Assign work to the crew, supervise training of new staff, and recommend disciplinary actions to the Superintendent.
• Understand and enforce safety regulations.
• Order chemicals, tools, equipment, and replacement parts, and maintain an inventory of supplies.
• Perform laboratory tests or participate in the laboratory rotation; collect and test influent and effluent samples as required by regulations or the Plant schedule.
• Monitor computer readings of Plant operations, help ensure efficient operation, and assist with adjustments as necessary.
• Oversee Plant and Pumping Station operations for efficiency, safety, and quality; evaluate alarms and determine remedial actions in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Direct flood control pump station operations as weather or other conditions require and manage maintenance of flood control pumps and related facilities.
• Perform responsibilities of subordinate positions when required and other similar or related work as needed.

Benefits

• Full benefits and privileges consistent with the Northampton Administration and Professional Employees Association (NAPEA) Collective Bargaining Agreement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree