Utilities Water Plant Operator Chief

City of Englewood Career•Englewood, CO

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The position serves as the Plant Manager's primary operational leader and works under the direction and guidance of the Plant Manager. The position is responsible for implementing the Plant Manager's operational priorities, providing day-to-day leadership to operations staff, and ensuring that established procedures, policies, and operational strategies are followed. The position is expected to use sound judgment and take appropriate action within established authority but will consult with and defer to the Plant Manager on significant operational, personnel, regulatory, financial, or process decisions. The position is responsible for execution and leadership of daily operations, while the Plant Manager retains overall responsibility and authority for plant operations. The position does not independently establish plant-wide policies, change major treatment strategies, or make significant operational decisions outside their delegated authority without direction or approval from the Plant Manager.

Requirements

Minimum of 4 years' experience in treatment plant operations at a Class A water treatment facility (as defined in CDPHE Regulation 100).
Required Colorado Water Operator "A" Certificate or ability to obtain within 2 years of hire.
Required Driver's License: Valid Colorado driver's license and a clear or acceptable MVR.
Demonstrated leadership and motivational skills, with the ability to foster strong working relationships with City employees, contractors, citizens, and external agencies through clear written and verbal communication.
Strong decision-making abilities, utilizing analytical thinking and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Highly organized, self-directed, and articulate team player capable of engaging effectively across all levels of the organization.
Innovative thinker who provides creative solutions to operational challenges.
Extensive experience in water operations and management.
Deep understanding of water treatment processes and water quality control throughout the treatment cycle.
Knowledge of water treatment plant residual dewatering processes.
Proficient in GIS, CMMS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Associate of Science degree in water quality management, process operation, or engineering science OR Bachelor's or advanced degree in chemistry or engineering desired.
Formal leadership, supervision, or management training desired
Experience in process optimization and pilot studies and previous supervisory or lead operator experience preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training and relevant job experience may be substituted.

Responsibilities

Direct and oversee the daily operation of the water treatment plant and associated treatment processes.
Maintain reliable plant operation while meeting production, water quality, and regulatory requirements.
Monitor treatment processes and make operational adjustments based on changing source-water conditions, demand, equipment performance, and water quality.
Optimize chemical feed systems, coagulation, filtration, disinfection, ozone, corrosion control, sludge handling, dewatering, and other treatment processes.
Promote steady-state plant operation and minimize unnecessary process fluctuations.
Review SCADA trends, laboratory results, operational data, and field observations to identify developing issues and opportunities for process improvement.
Troubleshoot operational problems and determine appropriate corrective actions using established procedures, sound water treatment principles, operational experience and data.
Ensure appropriate operation during equipment failures, process upsets, power interruptions, emergencies, and other abnormal conditions.
Maintain inventories of bulk chemicals and place orders as needed.
Ensure plant operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local drinking-water regulations and permit requirements.
Maintain required operating records, logs, sampling records, reports, and documentation.
Monitor water quality parameters and investigate deviations from established operating targets.
Coordinate required regulatory sampling and ensure samples are collected, handled, and submitted appropriately.
Work with compliance personnel regarding water quality results, compliance requirements, and operational concerns.
Maintain awareness of changes in drinking-water regulations and incorporate applicable requirements into plant operations.
Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and support to plant operators.
Assign and prioritize operational duties to ensure adequate coverage and completion of required work.
Assist with development and management of operator schedules, overtime, leave coverage, and on-call responsibilities, in addition to approving time sheets.
Train and mentor operators at all certification levels.
Promote development of operator knowledge and progression through state certification levels.
Evaluate employee performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
Establish expectations for safe, professional, and effective plant operations.
Encourage operators to identify problems, investigate root causes, and develop solutions rather than simply reacting to symptoms.
Foster teamwork, accountability, communication, and continuous improvement among operations staff.
Evaluate treatment performance and identify opportunities to improve water quality, reliability, chemical usage, energy consumption, sludge production, and operating costs.
Use historical and real-time operational data to evaluate treatment performance and identify trends.
Conduct or assist with process evaluations, pilot testing, jar testing, chemical optimization, and other studies.
Evaluate the interaction between chemical treatment, hydraulics, equipment performance, instrumentation, and process controls.
Develop recommendations based on operational data, scientific principles, and observed plant performance.
When instructed to, implement process improvements while maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting treatment equipment.
Coordinate with maintenance, electrical, instrumentation, and controls personnel regarding equipment problems and repairs.
Identify equipment deficiencies and prioritize work requests based on operational risk and plant needs.
Assist with troubleshooting pumps, valves, actuators, chemical feed systems, instrumentation, SCADA, filters, ozone system, centrifuge, and other treatment equipment.
Coordinate equipment shutdowns and return-to-service activities.
Ensure operators properly document equipment deficiencies and operational concerns.
Participate in capital improvement projects, equipment commissioning, and system modifications.
Promote and enforce safe work practices throughout plant operations.
Ensure operators and onsite contractors follow applicable safety procedures, PPE requirements, chemical handling procedures, confined-space requirements, and emergency response procedures.
Respond to plant emergencies and provide operational direction as needed.
Participate in emergency preparedness activities, drills, and response planning.
Ensure appropriate communication during significant operational events.
Maintain accurate and timely operational records.
Review operator logs and ensures important operational issues are documented and communicated.
Prepare operational reports, summaries, recommendations, and other documentation as required.
Communicate plant conditions, operational concerns, equipment issues, and water quality trends to management.
Coordinate effectively with engineering, maintenance, laboratory, administration, contractors, and compliance personnel.
Ensure important issues are communicated across shifts to prevent loss of information or continuity.
Participate in the annual development of operational budget and preparation of supporting documents (quotes, memorandums, purchase orders, contracts).
Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures for plant processes and equipment.
Ensure SOPs accurately reflect current equipment, controls, operating practices, and regulatory requirements.
Identify training needs and develop or coordinate operator training.
Assist in maintaining training documentation and assist operators in obtaining and maintaining required certifications.
Provide hands-on training for new equipment, treatment processes, and process changes.