Deputy Director, DIWWTP (Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant)

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Summary

Directs the efficient and effective operation of the Deer Island Treatment Plant's (DITP) processes and equipment to meet regulatory requirements and provide operations personnel with necessary resources and support. Directs the shift operations activities of assigned personnel to ensure efficient operation of all plant areas to enable the plant to meet optimized performance and permit requirements.

Posting Period 10/27/2025 - 11/3/2025

Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA

Salary: $171,000.00 - $176,500.00 Annually

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Directs the 24-hour operations of the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant and Onsite Thermal Power Plant. Advises the Director on all operational aspects of the facility. Responds to emergency situations 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• Provides advice/assistance, on all issues, to the Director, DIWWTP and acts in place of Director in his/her absence.
• Oversees plant process evaluations to ensure optimization of plant processes. Has overall responsibility for enhancement of all plant process systems to reduce chemical and utility costs without sacrifice to permit compliance. Establishes and updates operational procedures in accordance with process control strategies.
• Reviews, analyzes and prepares managerial reports for operational, process control, fiscal and personnel matters. Develops recommendations for ongoing improvements in facility operations.
• Manages the preparation of annual operations budgets and participates in the Authority budgetary process.
• Coordinates with the Maintenance Department, the Thermal Power Plant, and Laboratory Services to establish priorities to ensure successful facility operation.
• Represents plant operations and is an active participant in plant and/or Authority-wide initiatives.
• Directs the Process Control Department including Process Engineering, Process Monitoring/Data Management, and the PICS support functions.
• Directs Process Control Department in the implementation of new control strategy and/or process control modifications to improve plant performance or provide energy savings.
• Provides management input and technical review of plant wide or individual area energy initiatives including consultant studies and engineering projects.
• Works with the Process Control Manager to maintain and update the current inventory of all PICs hardware spare parts.
• Works with the Program Manager, Energy to coordinate CTG outages and plant notifications, monitor the electrical grid pricing and operate CTGs for peak days, demand response, or high electrical pricing to reduce energy costs.
• Manages the development and updating of Operation Manuals and Systems/Station Operating procedures and works with the Program Manager - Technical Information to ensure timely production of updates.
• Works with all Deer Island Department Managers to ensure the success of plant organization, including the development of staffing requirements and oversight of staff selection.
• Partners with the Manager, Training and Development to oversee and provide technical, supervisory and managerial training and education opportunities for all operations employees. Works with Human Resources on the continued implementation of the Wastewater Operator Shadowing Program.
• Oversees staff productivity monitoring and continual improvement through staff skills development, strategic planning, standard operating procedures (SOP) improvements and research and implementation of technology advances.
• Collaborate with Manager of Occupational Health and Safety to oversee and ensure Deer Island Operations Department's compliance with safety programs, maximize employee involvement, and support Deer Island and Authority-wide safety programs. Acts as liaison to the Manager, Occupational Health Safety and Health.
• Works closely with Occupational Health and Safety and Training departments to establish, emergency response procedures, and oversees training via scheduled drills, audits and inspections.
• Establishes and administers operational records and procedures required for a 24-hour facility.
• Ensures consistency and uniformity of work rules in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Reviews assigned employees' performance per MWRA procedures. Provides feedback and coaching to managers to maximize successful performance.
• Reviews, analyzes and prepares managerial reports for operational, maintenance, budget, and personnel matters.
• Oversees successful administration of collective bargaining agreement provisions. Participates in grievance resolution, collective bargaining and contract negotiations. Serves as Step I hearing officer. Hears disciplinary actions.
• Manages the Department in a manner that is consistent with MWRA's goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical or Environmental Engineering or a related field. Masters degree preferred; and
• At least twelve (10) years of progressive experience in wastewater treatment and/or in a large utility, regional agency or equivalent;
• of which at least six (6) years should be in a managerial capacity; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Class D driver's license.
• A valid Massachusetts Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade VII certification (or ability to obtain one within 12 months from date of hire).
• Ability to respond to emergency situations 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

• This position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather and other emergencies.
• Position may be eligible for occasional telework.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices with a special emphasis on wastewater treatment theory, process instrumentation, control and automation.
• Proven expertise in the commissioning and operation of large-scale process plant equipment/systems to include a solid understanding of mechanical operating characteristics and their relationship to process performance variables.
• Demonstrated managerial capability in a multi-disciplinary technical environment. Knowledge of operational procedures and techniques.
• Knowledge of standard business management practices to include labor relations, budgeting and job cost accounting techniques.
• Demonstrated computer skills to include proficiency in MS Office software package as well as MS Project. Familiarity with Operations reporting systems, distributed control systems, and Maximo maintenance management systems a plus.
• Excellent oral, analytical and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated successful experience managing in a union environment with a diverse workforce preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of water and sewer infrastructure issues.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated, with the use of telephone, personal computer including word processing and other software, copy and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. There are no requirements that weight is lifted or force is exerted in the performance of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and occasionally is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic and/or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in an office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Director, DIWWTP (Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant).

Exercises general supervision of the Senior Shift Manager, Manager of Power Generation, Program Manager of Energy Management, Program Manager of Energy and the Manager of Process Control.

Other Position Information

PCR#: 2915016

Division: Operations

Department: Deer Island Director's Office

Union/Grade: Non-Union/Grade 15

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.