Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

Pima County•Tucson, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Pima County’s Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is hiring a Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager to oversee the management, operations, and maintenance of wastewater treatment facilities. This leadership position administers a wastewater treatment group and associated facilities, ensuring proper operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, staff training, and workplace safety. The role also oversees operational reporting, budgets, projects, information management systems, and coordination with departmental staff, contractors, and engineers. The position requires an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Wastewater Treatment Grade 4 Certification at hire. Candidates must meet one of the listed education and experience pathways or the specified equivalent qualifications. A valid driver license is required when applying, and a valid Arizona driver license is required at appointment. The position includes a post-offer physical and/or drug screen and may involve exposure to wastewater, sewage products, infectious disease, asbestos, hazardous materials, and other operational hazards. Work requires outdoor activity in varied weather and operation of machinery, powered industrial equipment, and motor vehicles.

Requirements

ADEQ Wastewater Treatment Grade 4 Certification is required at hire for operations positions in this class; an equivalent out-of-state certification must be recognized through ADEQ reciprocity within three months of hire or promotion.
One of the following minimum qualification pathways: bachelor’s degree in civil or sanitary engineering, biological science, chemistry, environmental science, environmental engineering, or a closely related field, plus five years operating and maintaining a major secondary wastewater treatment facility, including two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity; relevant experience and/or education may be substituted.
Alternative qualification pathway: current Arizona Professional Engineer registration with proficiency in sanitary engineering, plus four years operating and maintaining a major secondary wastewater treatment facility, including two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
Alternative qualification pathway: four years of Pima County experience as a Wastewater Technical Services Manager, Wastewater Maintenance Supervisor, Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Manager, Wastewater Operations Manager, or similar-level position involving operation and maintenance of a major secondary or advanced wastewater treatment facility.
Valid driver license at time of application and valid Arizona driver license at time of appointment.
Qualifying education and experience must be documented in the application’s Education and Work Experience sections; a resume cannot replace the application.
Ability to satisfy the County’s 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review and obtain Fleet Services approval to operate County vehicles.
Ability to pass required pre-employment background screening and post-offer physical and/or drug screen.
Physical ability to stand, walk, sit, grasp and manipulate work objects, bend, stoop, reach, climb stairs and ladders, and occasionally crawl, kneel, squat, lift or carry up to 50 pounds, push or pull up to 75 pounds, and properly don and doff fall protection for confined-space work.
Sufficient or corrected vision to read and interpret written information, manuals, and gauges and distinguish colors; sufficient or corrected hearing to understand in-person, radio, and phone communications and hear operating equipment.
Ability to work in noisy areas and outdoors in inclement or hot weather, and to operate machinery, powered industrial equipment, and motor vehicles.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of operational experience in wastewater treatment facilities.
At least five years of direct supervisory experience, including scheduling, discipline, and performance management.
At least five years of experience with mandated industrial safety rules, regulations, and procedures.
At least five years of experience prioritizing improvement projects and maintenance activities in a fiscally responsible manner within an annual budget.
ADEQ Wastewater Treatment Grade 4 Certification and substantial operations and supervisory experience, preferably including direct technical and leadership experience and strong wastewater-industry troubleshooting skills.

Responsibilities

Administer operations and maintenance for a wastewater treatment group and associated facilities.
Inspect facilities and systems for proper operation, maintenance, and compliance with standards and departmental requirements; direct staff to resolve discrepancies.
Coordinate facility and system operations, maintenance, and modifications with departmental staff and contractors, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
Coordinate special projects, including projects requiring plant shutdowns for equipment installation or repairs.
Ensure staff are trained in safety, health, and compliance regulations.
Direct the collection, analysis, and reporting of effluent, biosolids, and other wastewater-treatment byproduct quality and quantity data.
Plan and direct implementation of information management and automated supervisory control systems, and maintain comprehensive documentation of facility operations, maintenance, and modifications.
Direct control authority requirements of the pretreatment program.
Develop and administer the wastewater Treatment Operating Group Operations and Maintenance budget and assist with development of the departmental budget.
Provide operations and maintenance input to design and construction engineers for wastewater facility and system development and implementation plans.
Research, develop, and submit routine, recurring, and special reports to management and other agencies.