Superintendent - Plants

JOB SUMMARY

Manages, leads and directs the operation and maintenance of a large wastewater treatment plant. Leads in planning, organizing and coordinating related operations, maintenance and services, including plant-related stormwater initiatives. Manages continuous change and adapts business processes as necessary. Provides input and supports organizational department initiatives. Establishes practices, policies and procedures to ensure appropriate positioning, consistency of processes, proactive responses, cost savings initiatives, employee safety and delivery of quality services. Develops and maintains effective internal and external relationships. May rotate through Operation & Maintenance (O&M) administration to assist with workforce-related and other administrative duties. Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Directs, develops and implements functional level strategy. Formulates policies, defines objectives and sets short- and long-term goals for the wastewater treatment plant. Develops short- and long-term plans and adjusts those plans as necessary to ensure that the wastewater treatment plant meets its strategic and organizational objectives.

Oversees and ensures appropriate direction of proactive management. Plans, schedules and implements plant preventive maintenance programs. Ensures standby equipment is available and in proper operating condition. Oversees and ensures the monitoring of plant equipment to identify malfunctions. Approves repairs or replacements of components and equipment. Ensures proper inventory of parts and supplies.

Directs, develops and implements processes that work within the Sewer District policies and procedures to meet permit regulations and standards and maintains safety. Provides instruction to ensure adherence to laws and regulations. Reviews accident investigation reports, makes recommendations and takes appropriate actions, as necessary.

Responsible for supervising and directing subordinate staff. Evaluates performance, recommends development actions or corrective actions, provides on-the-job coaching and disciplines when necessary. Handles complaints in accordance with Sewer District policy and holds grievance and disciplinary hearings. Supports staff development. Makes recommendations on hires, promotions, transfers and terminations. Maintains staff training and active participation in all plant functions and certifications required for specific job qualifications.

Serves in various roles within the Sewer District's incident command structure during large-scale emergencies; oversees emergency response in wastewater treatment plant-related emergencies and serves as incident commander of those emergencies when necessary. Provides guidance for emergency response plans and participates in and develops crisis response drills.

Inspects and monitors treatment plant operations through all stages of the wastewater treatment process. Takes appropriate actions to correct equipment and treatment deficiencies. Monitors laboratory test results of plant processes to ensure required adjustments are made to meet or exceed regulatory requirements and ensure compliance with regulatory agencies' permit requirements.

Works with management and staff members to develop ideas and implement solutions in order to solve problems and/or improve the efficiency of the operation. Develops and implements process improvement projects. Leads various teams to implement strategic initiatives. Manages continuous change and adapts business processes as necessary. Assists managers in the adaptation and implementation of change. Brainstorms for ideas that can solve problems, improve efficiency, reduce cost and improve safety.

Ensures and maintains good internal and external working relationships and public relations and speaks publicly on behalf of the Sewer District. Serves as a liaison between the treatment plants and other Sewer District departments. Occasionally coordinates activities with other departments in order to protect Sewer District facilities and the environment, meet regulatory requirements and to optimize operations. Serves as needed as a liaison with other agencies or community groups.

Oversees the development of operating and minor capital budgets for the wastewater treatment plant and ensures adherence to those budgets. Reviews the financial operation and maintenance reports. Provides guidance that short- and long-term planning meets necessary budget requirements and identifies the need for capital expenditures. Recommends material and equipment purchases.

Integrates verbal and numerical information to create reports that are understood by a wide variety of audiences and to estimate staffing and resource needs. Analyzes a wide variety of information for decision-making. Develops various reports for various audiences such as subordinates, Superintendents and Directors. Gives presentations at internal department meetings, board meetings and community meetings.

Provides guidance to ensure that planned objectives meet necessary budget requirements; creates schedules and allocates staff appropriately; establishes priorities for resource utilization; and identifies the need for and prioritizes capital expenditures. Develops and implements functional level strategy.

Directs the use of resources (people, materials and money) and sets priorities to coordinate operation and maintenance activities among areas of responsibility.

Works with subordinates to develop and implement related goals and monitor the alignment of goals. Works with appropriate staff to help prioritize work and keep projects and programs on track.

Addresses problems associated with maintaining existing and installing new utility infrastructure by consulting with appropriate departments, consultants and vendors.

Discusses issues for clarification and informs staff of policies and procedures. Works to resolve conflict within the wastewater treatment plant and other Sewer District departments as they arise for the benefit of the Sewer District. Encourages cooperation between team members by emphasizing the importance of reaching work objectives in order to meet regulatory guidelines, departmental goals and strategic initiatives.

Reviews and evaluates engineering designs, plans and specifications for recommendation. May manage projects and prepare specifications for bid documents.

Leads in the restructuring, creation and/or development of new services to achieve strategic objectives; makes recommendations for organizational changes, personnel requirements and job descriptions.

Responsible for the development of required monthly Key Performance Indicator (KPI) reports.

May serve as the Director of Operation & Maintenance or Deputy Director of Operation & Maintenance in their absence.

Completes routine administration including writing correspondence, describing technical situations in lay terms, creating proposals and keeping detailed records.

Plans, conducts and participates in meetings and cross functional teams in which the collective resources of the group members are used efficiently.

Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required.

Rotational Duties - Operation and Maintenance Administration

Serves as a liaison between O&M leadership and Human Resources. May represent O&M leadership in interactions with HR. Supports and makes recommendations to O&M leadership on HR and workforce related matters.

Supports O&M leadership and partners with HR on a variety of administration duties including but not limited to workforce planning, succession planning, personnel budgeting, career path development, job description development and maintenance, interview guide creation, hiring assessments, O&M training opportunities, policy and standard operating procedures (SOP) development and updates, grievance administration, discipline administration, contract administration, preparation for arbitrations and contract negotiations and diversity and inclusion efforts across the department. Partners with O&M leaders to proactively identify and address emerging workforce issues.

Prepares and delivers workforce related status reports.

Supports O&M leadership in the administration of the performance management process. Ensures that annual performance management timelines and other compliance criteria are met.

Executes various special projects as needed.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

- Candidate must possess a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Engineering, or a closely related field.

- Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as outlined in the Education Equivalencies Policy.

EXPERIENCE

- Candidate must possess ten (10) years of experience in wastewater treatment or manufacturing.

- Experience must include five (5) years of supervising, managing and/or leading people, projects, or processes.

- Experience in working with Collective Bargaining Union workforce and contractors preferred.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Candidate must possess a valid driver's license with a driving record in accordance with the Sewer District's acceptable guidelines.

Candidate must possess a valid Ohio EPA Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate, or application and approval for Ohio EPA Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate. Candidates who have applied for and been granted approval for the Ohio EPA Class IV Wastewater Treatment Operator exam must obtain the certification within two years of being placed in the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

- Candidate must possess effective written and verbal communication with experience effectively managing people and processes and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

- Candidate must have the ability to execute sound judgment when planning and organizing objectives, provide direction and decision making.

- Candidate must possess strong people, managerial, team leadership, project management and analytical thinking skills.

- Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

During the course of performing the essential functions of this position the employee must be able to compare, compute, analyze, synthesize, copy, compile, coordinate, negotiate and instruct. Ability to communicate while exhibiting strong interpersonal skills is required. Physical work will need to be performed, such as standing, sitting, hearing, walking, climbing, stooping, crouching, reaching, fingering and talking. Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. on an occasional basis. Position will require visual demands of near acuity, depth perception, far acuity and accommodation. The position requires office, site and field work. While working in the plant or field the employee may be exposed to extreme weather, extreme heat and cold that is non-weather related, atmospheric conditions, vibrations, wet and/or humid, hazards and confined/restricted working environments. Position required to sometimes perform confined space entry on the job. Employee must possess the ability to wear required respiratory protection devices, including not having facial hair that interferes with the facepiece-to-face seal.

Pay Range: USD, Commensurate with Experience

$114,522 - $143,152

Education Equivalencies Policy

Our Employee Benefits & Wellness Programs
We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package including Health Insurance Coverage, Various Retirement Planning Options (Ohio Public Employee Retirement System and Deferred Compensation Plans), Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program, Free Parking at our facilities, Corporate Discounts, and more! We also have an active Health & Wellness Program that promotes a life/work balance.

NEORSD supports the use of hybrid work as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity and better prepares the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for hybrid work. hybrid eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

DISCLAIMER: The information outlined in this job description indicates the general nature and type of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to provide a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities or competencies required of employees within this classification.