WASTE WATER SUPERINTENDENT

About the role

Under general administrative direction from the Environmental Manager, the Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent oversees the efficient and compliant operation of a NPDES direct discharge facility, ensuring environmental regulatory compliance and optimal water quality. This role manages wastewater treatment processes with 9 employees in a 24/7/365 environment, troubleshoots issues, maintains equipment, implements best practices to minimize environmental impacts, and ensures cost-efficient operations.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, evaluates, revises and/or establishes policies and procedures used in the treatment of wastewater.
• Directs and participates in review and evaluation of staff and equipment performance related to water and wastewater systems and treatment.
• Ensures effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and customers.
• Responsible for all activities and the overall operation/efficiency of the Wastewater Facility.
• Supervises operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plant and related systems (pump stations, blowers, emergency generators, etc.), including monitoring chemical dosing, flow rates, and effluent quality.
• Directly or indirectly supervises all staff, directs training of new employees, and evaluates their performance.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Develops objectives to meet regulatory requirement efficiencies and productivity via continuous quality improvement and strategic planning.
• Organizes operations and support activities to maximize efficient use of available staff, equipment, and materials.
• Collaborates on the development of the annual budget for the Facility.
• Analyzes and evaluates operation, maintenance, and support functions; initiates new or improved practices as necessary.
• Monitors operational data, conducts inspections, sampling, and testing to assure compliance within allowable limits.
• Accountable for the productivity and efficiency of system operations and achieving state, federal, and local standards for water and wastewater regulatory requirements.
• Serves as liaison and is accountable to the Pennsylvania State Department of Environmental Protection on Wastewater Treatment Plant performance as required by the NPDES permit.
• Coordinates with other departments such as Maintenance, Finance, Human Resources, and has contact with the public at large, contractors, and vendors in providing information as necessary.
• Manages chemical inventory, ordering, and storage.
• Implements spill response and emergency protocols.
• Maintains accurate records and reports for regulatory submissions.
• Participates in wastewater upgrade and improvements projects.
• Maintains detailed records of operational data, incidents, and repairs.
• Develops and implements operational and maintenance schedules to ensure consistent performance.
• Responds to emergencies, including system breakdowns and environmental incidents.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED (Bachelor’s degree in Environmental science, engineering, or related field preferred).
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in supervision of operations, maintenance, and administration of water and wastewater treatment systems. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for experience.
• Must hold a state-certified B, E & subclass 1 & 4 wastewater license from the state of Pennsylvania or ability to obtain license within 12 months of hiring.
• Extensive knowledge of the objectives, equipment, and operations of wastewater treatment plants.
• Broad knowledge of the process of aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment including basic chemistry, bacteriological, and biological processes.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of professional and technical employees.
• Ability to build and sustain a collaborative, high-performance team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, empowerment, and vision.
• Leads a strategic approach to developing long-range facility goals and objectives, developing a plan to reach those goals, and monitoring progress.
• Proactively introduces change into the facility to address emerging issues.
• Encourages the effective use of technology to improve facility operations.
• Institutionalizes the concepts of continuous quality improvement activities, performance measurement, and benchmarking.
• Can clearly articulate complex issues both verbally and in writing to both technical and non-technical people.
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to plant safety activities, practices, and standards.
• Knowledge of the regulatory and legal environment of wastewater systems and wastewater treatment.
• Ability to research, analyze, organize, and present data/recommendations in an effective and efficient manner.
• Broad knowledge of MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
• Understanding of the working principle behind a computerized maintenance management program.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends when required to troubleshoot system problems or to replace absent employees.
• Shall be on call during off hours (24/7) as directed by Manager.

Working Conditions

• May be required to work indoors or outdoors during seasonal heat and cold or other adverse weather conditions.
• May be exposed to fumes, dust, and odors.
• High noise levels from operations in the plant.
• May be required to work shift work, including eight (8), ten (10), or twelve (12) hour shifts, and may be assigned to day, night, early morning, or rotating shifts as needed.
• Weekend, holiday, and overtime work may be required.