Deputy Leader

About the Role

In the role of Deputy Site Leader, the successful candidate will assist the Site Leader in managing daily operations, ensuring that all activities align with organizational goals and operational standards. Support the Site Leader in addressing operational challenges, providing hands-on assistance and contributing to quick, effective solutions. Help relay site goals, procedures, and updates to team members, ensuring clear and consistent communication throughout the site. Foster a positive and collaborative work environment by supporting team members, helping to resolve any issues, and promoting teamwork.

Serve as a secondary leader, stepping in to lead site operations in the absence of the Site Leader, ensuring continuity of operations. Key focus areas include safety, compliance, reliability, people management, customer relations, cost effectiveness, and facility management.

Responsibilities

• Foster teamwork and collaboration, ensuring smooth communication across all team members to meet site goals.
• Support the Site Leader in managing team performance, identifying areas for improvement, and offering coaching as needed.
• Use strong interpersonal and communication skills to liaise with the Site Leader, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Provide support in client communications and step into client-facing roles when necessary.
• Assist the Site Leader in promoting a safety-first culture and conducting regular safety checks or audits.
• Mentor junior team members, providing guidance and support for skill development and performance improvement.
• Demonstrate a desire to grow into a future leadership role, focusing on developing both operational and leadership skills.

People Management

• Promote a positive work culture and manage resources effectively.
• Communicate business initiatives and goals to team members.
• Evaluate and mentor the team to drive performance and growth.
• Typically supervise fewer than 10 full-time employees (FTEs).

Safety Management

• Implement and enforce comprehensive safety protocols, procedures, and best practices at the operational level.
• Conduct regular safety training and awareness programs for all site personnel.
• Continuously monitor and report on safety performance metrics, including incident rates and near-misses, to drive improvement.

Compliance Oversight

• Oversee contract execution for the site.
• Ensure adherence to established environmental, health, safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency response procedures.

Operational Reliability

• Monitor project delivery performance and maintain high standards of quality and consistent results.
• Coordinate problem resolution and manage conflicting priorities effectively.

Customer Relations

• Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with site-level customers and stakeholders.
• Respond to customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to continuously improve customer experience and satisfaction.

Cost Effectiveness

• Identify and implement operational efficiencies and cost-saving initiatives to enhance site-level performance.
• Monitor and report on site-level financial transactions to ensure cost-effectiveness.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to optimize resource utilization and minimize downtime.

Facility Management

• Independently manage facilities generally less than 1 MGD; or support Site Leader with generally 1-5 MGD facilities.
• Align responsibilities with supervisor if part of a common project.

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED is required.
• A degree in Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field is strongly preferred but not required.
• 3 years of leadership experience, 2 of which in a supervisory or lead role, with a focus on assisting leadership and contributing to operational success.

Skills

Operational Knowledge

• Comprehensive understanding of unit processes applicable to water and/or wastewater treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes (e.g., coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, disinfection).
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes (e.g., primary treatment, secondary treatment, tertiary treatment).

Systems Expertise

• Preferred knowledge of electrical systems relevant to water/wastewater facilities.
• Preferred knowledge of mechanical systems used in treatment plants.
• Preferred knowledge of instrumentation and control systems for process monitoring and automation.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with data entry and management systems.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems (desirable).
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Additional Desirable Skills

• Familiarity with water quality testing and analysis techniques.
• Understanding of regulatory compliance requirements.
• Basic troubleshooting skills for equipment and processes.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and schematics.

Certifications

Connecticut Class III or Class IV Wastewater Operator Certification is required.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, climb stairs or ladders, sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.
• May regularly lift 10-25 pounds and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Pay

Pay Range: $110,000 to $120,000 per year.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off policies.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Savings accounts and tuition reimbursement.
• Paid volunteering opportunities.
• Employer-sponsored 401(k) plan for retirement savings.