Water Treatment Plant Operator Superintendent

City of Portsmouth•Portsmouth, VA

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Water Treatment Plant Operator Superintendent performs supervisory work in the operation and management of the water treatment plant and its staff. The position reports to the Water Treatment Plant Manager. The superintendent oversees plant operations, staff, safety, budgets, inventory, training, performance management, operating procedures, and required reporting. The role also performs operator duties when staff are absent and responds to emergency and non-routine calls on a 24-hour basis. The position is designated as an operator in responsible charge and must maintain required operator licensure through continuing professional education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field, and 6–9 years of experience in water treatment operations, plus 2–3 years of supervisory or lead experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Successful pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing; the position is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
Acceptable general background check, including local and state criminal history checks.
Ability to operate water treatment equipment and machinery, computers, two-way radios, pumps, motors, and mechanical and plumbing tools.
Ability to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 75 pounds frequently, and/or 50 pounds constantly; the position involves Heavy Work.
Knowledge of water treatment plant equipment and machinery operating principles, practices, and maintenance requirements; occupational hazards and safety precautions; chemistry as applied to water treatment; water testing procedures; laboratory principles, techniques, terminology, and equipment; and supervision of water treatment personnel.
Ability to follow operating and recording procedures; detect equipment and chemical feed system defects and take appropriate action; maintain accurate records and prepare reports; and communicate and work effectively with staff, customers, other professionals, and the public.

Responsibilities

Assign, direct, and supervise Treatment Plant Operators; ensure adherence to policies, safety measures, procedures, and standards; and advise and assist subordinates.
Develop testing standards; perform tests to evaluate and adjust chemical additions; and collect watershed data by observing wells and water depths.
Review preventive maintenance procedures and work as an Operator when staff are absent.
Administer plant operations, including preparing and monitoring budgets and tracking chemical inventory and expenditures.
Oversee staff development, accountability, training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, and work prioritization and assignment.
Establish systems to ensure city and departmental personnel policies and procedures are administered appropriately.
Prepare and present standard operating procedures for treatment equipment and prepare the plant operating manual.
Serve as Plant Safety Officer.
Develop reports, maintain the plant operations database, and produce state-regulated monthly, weekly, and daily operating and pumpage reports.
Evaluate data from special projects or facility studies and produce reports.
Comply with Virginia Department of Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations and guidelines governing the Department of Public Utilities.
Respond to emergency and non-routine calls on a 24-hour basis.
Continue professional education and obtain the required continuing professional education contact hours to maintain operator licensure.
Perform other duties as assigned, with individual assignments determined by the supervisor based on workload and department needs.