Chief Operator - Water & Wastewater Operations

Woodard & Curran•Bushnell, FL

About The Position

Woodard & Curran is seeking an experienced Chief Operator to provide day-to-day operational leadership at its water and wastewater treatment facilities. Under the direction of the Project Manager or Area Manager, this role manages daily plant operations, maintains process control, supports regulatory compliance, and provides hands-on leadership to the operations team. The position calls for strong technical knowledge of treatment processes, troubleshooting skills, and the ability to lead and develop other operators. The Chief Operator oversees facility operations and treatment processes, including odor control and biosolids operations; supports sampling, laboratory testing, and process adjustments; evaluates equipment performance; and ensures compliance with applicable drinking water standards and discharge permit requirements. The role also trains and supervises operations staff, assigns preventive maintenance tasks, maintains plant records, coordinates facility grounds upkeep and supply needs, and assists with facility scope, schedule, and budget in accordance with contract requirements. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. An irregular schedule, overtime, on-call rotations, after-hours work, and holiday staffing may be required. The position is performed primarily in a plant environment, with indoor and outdoor work and exposure to temperature changes, dust, odors, chemicals, noise, machinery, and moving mechanical parts. Appropriate protective equipment may be required.

Requirements

Education and experience equivalent to a high school diploma or GED.
10 years of experience working in a water or wastewater treatment facility.
State of Florida Water C license or higher.
Wastewater Treatment Operator License C or higher.
Valid state driver's license.
Proficiency with computers, including SCADA, Microsoft Word, Excel, Maintenance Management Programs, and other site-specific systems.
Ability to train and supervise operations staff.
Ability to obtain a Florida DOT Medical Card.
Successful completion of a background check, pre-placement physical, and drug screen before employment.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily facility operations and ensure treatment processes operate effectively.
Ensure the plant meets process control targets across treatment and odor control systems.
Manage biosolids wasting, thickening, and dewatering operations.
Implement policies and procedures for process monitoring and control.
Supervise collection of plant process samples and collect samples when necessary.
Supervise or perform laboratory testing of plant process samples and interpret results.
Supervise or perform adjustments to treatment processes, operations, and equipment to maintain compliance with applicable standards and permit requirements.
Evaluate equipment performance and correct deficiencies.
Train and supervise operations staff and assign preventive maintenance tasks.
Coordinate maintenance and upkeep of facility grounds and landscaping.
Develop and maintain wastewater records, including chemical usage, plant flows, checklists, diaries, logbooks, and laboratory records.
Coordinate with the Plant Manager and/or Area Manager on proposals and specifications for major purchases and requisitions for operational supplies and materials.
Assist with managing facility scope, schedule, and budget in accordance with contract requirements.