Director of Water Pollution Control

Town of Branford.•Branford, CT

1d•$120,000 - $132,150

About The Position

The Director of Water Pollution Control provides executive, financial, and engineering leadership for the Town’s wastewater utility, including its Class IV wastewater treatment plant, sewer collection system, pump stations, and related infrastructure. The Director is accountable for long-term planning, financial health, capital improvements, and regulatory compliance, ensuring the system operates safely, efficiently, and in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements. The Director works under the general direction of the First Selectman and the Sewer Authority. The position directly supervises the Operations Plant Manager, who directs daily plant operations and process control, and the Collection Supervisor, who directs collection system and pump station operations. The Director also supervises administrative staff and provides leadership through subordinate managers to plant, laboratory, maintenance, electrical, mechanical, and collection system personnel. The role combines wastewater utility management, budgeting and financial planning, engineering and capital project oversight, regulatory compliance, staff leadership, and public and community relations. The Director serves as staff liaison to the Sewer Authority and represents the Town with regulators, officials, contractors, consultants, and the public. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; monthly evening Sewer Authority meetings are also required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or a closely related engineering field.
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater or water utility engineering, operations, or management.
At least three years of supervisory or management experience.
Experience developing budgets and capital plans and managing finances.
Experience managing consultants, contractors, and construction projects.
Experience working with regulatory agencies and compliance programs.
Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, and collection systems.
Knowledge of civil and environmental engineering principles, design review, and construction management.
Knowledge of environmental and safety regulations, discharge permits, operational standards, and industry best practices.
Knowledge of utility financial management, budgeting, rate setting, and capital financing.
Knowledge of procurement, contract administration, asset management, supervision, personnel management, and labor relations.
Ability to interpret and apply technical regulations, policies, and operational standards; analyze engineering, operational, and financial data; make independent decisions; and implement improvements.
Ability to develop and present budgets, financial plans, and rate recommendations to boards and elected officials.
Ability to lead teams through subordinate managers and manage multiple priorities and complex capital programs while maintaining attention to detail and regulatory compliance.
Ability to build productive relationships with employees, regulators, consultants, contractors, and the public, and respond effectively to emergencies and operational issues.
Ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing, including preparing technical reports and presenting to non-technical audiences.
Ability to use CMMS, regulatory reporting platforms, financial and budgeting systems, Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, databases, and other operational and compliance software; learn specialized utility software; review engineering drawings and ArcGIS Pro data; and maintain electronic records.
Valid Connecticut driver’s license.
Criminal background check, drug screening, and driving record check required before employment.
Physical ability to perform the stated work activities, including occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds; lifting more than 25 pounds is not required.
Able to perform regular field inspections and work in conditions that may include loud noise, odors, outdoor weather, extreme heat or cold, elevated or precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and electrical-shock risks.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in engineering, public administration, or business administration.
Experience in a municipal or public utility environment.
Experience in wastewater treatment plant design, upgrades, or operations.
Experience with utility rate setting and state or federal funding programs.
Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE) license; candidates licensed in another state should be eligible for Connecticut licensure. Candidates who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering exam may be considered, with Connecticut PE licensure to be obtained within a timeframe determined at hire.
Connecticut DEEP Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification, Class III or Class IV; certification is not required for this position.
NIMS/ICS training (ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700), or willingness to complete it within one year of hire.
Equivalent combinations of education, certifications, and directly related experience demonstrating the ability to perform the responsibilities may be considered in lieu of the stated education and experience requirements.

Responsibilities

Provide overall direction for the wastewater utility, including the treatment plant, sewer collection system, and lift and pump stations.
Oversee plant operations, maintenance, and laboratory programs through the Operations Plant Manager, ensuring adequate staffing, resources, and certified operator coverage.
Oversee collection system and pump station operations and maintenance through the Collection Supervisor.
Develop and maintain a long-range facilities plan, asset management program, collection system condition assessments, inflow and infiltration reduction initiatives, and a multi-year capital improvement plan.
Establish performance goals and measures, review operational, maintenance, and compliance data, and direct improvements in efficiency, reliability, energy use, and service quality.
Evaluate treatment technologies, process upgrades, infrastructure needs, and resilience to flooding, storm events, and changing regulations.
Ensure emergency response, contingency, and continuity-of-operations plans are developed and maintained.
Develop, present, and manage operating and capital budgets; prepare multi-year financial plans, sewer use rate and connection fee analyses, and funding recommendations.
Monitor expenditures, approve invoices, maintain fiscal controls, and pursue grants and state or federal funding and financing for capital projects.
Prepare cost-benefit analyses, financial reports, and long-term cost projections.
Plan, prioritize, and oversee the design and construction of capital, repair, replacement, and infrastructure improvement projects.
Select, direct, and manage consulting engineers; review engineering studies, plans, specifications, and reports for technical soundness and cost-effectiveness.
Prepare and review bid specifications, contracts, and technical documentation, and manage procurement of equipment, supplies, and services.
Administer wastewater-related project and vendor contracts, including change orders, schedules, and project closeout.
Review development applications and proposed sewer connections for capacity and system impacts, coordinating with relevant Town departments.
Maintain overall accountability for compliance with the plant’s discharge permit and environmental regulations and reporting requirements.
Maintain relationships with DEEP, EPA, and other regulatory agencies, representing the Town in permit renewals, inspections, and negotiations.
Oversee investigations of system failures, environmental concerns, and operational issues, and ensure corrective actions are taken.
Develop and recommend wastewater ordinances, sewer use regulations, policies, and procedures, and oversee enforcement.
Promote workplace safety and compliance with safety standards and safe operating practices.
Supervise the Operations Plant Manager, Collection Supervisor, and administrative staff, and oversee other utility personnel through those managers.
Set department priorities, assign responsibilities, monitor performance, and provide coaching and development opportunities.
Participate in hiring, discipline, performance management, and workforce planning; administer applicable collective bargaining agreements in coordination with Human Resources.
Support operator training, certification, and succession planning, and foster accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Serve as staff liaison to the Sewer Authority; prepare agendas, reports, and recommendations and attend meetings, including monthly evening meetings.
Present reports, budgets, and recommendations to Town officials, boards, commissions, and regulatory agencies.
Respond to resident, contractor, and business inquiries about wastewater service, system issues, and regulatory requirements; communicate technical, financial, and regulatory matters to public and non-technical audiences.
Perform related work as required, pursue continuing professional development, keep current with industry trends and regulations, and assist other department staff as needed.