Wastewater Plant Manager

About the role

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, seeks a Supervisor in charge of all Central Division wastewater collection systems, lift stations, and treatment facilities. The role involves ensuring timely repair, maintenance, and management of assets and operations, training and developing employees, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensuring timely repair, maintenance and management of assets and operations via an electronic work order management system.
• Attaining established Department objectives, including established performance metrics.
• Training and developing Wastewater Department employees with an understanding of, and compliance with, Aqua policies, procedures, and practices.
• Serving as the Responsible Operator In Charge (ROIC) for all Central Division Wastewater Department NPDES systems and other jurisdictions as required within established operations.
• Compliance with all IEPA and EPA regulatory requirements related to the Department operations.
• Administration of all non-union employee relations including staffing, labor relations, compliance with personnel policies and programs, staff development and personnel reviews.
• Timely management and reconciliation of accounts payable expenditures to all vendors providing support to the Department’s activities; management of materials, chemicals, equipment, fleet procurement, and inventory control/reconciliation.
• Preparation of purchase requisitions and monitoring open purchase orders.
• Identification, development, and management of capital expenditures within the Wastewater Department.
• Capturing and investigating customer back up or sanitary overflow complaints and formulating appropriate responses.
• Maintaining compliance with sampling schedules and parameter limits for wastewater quality.
• Evaluating new treatment processes through pilot studies and developing capital projects or process changes to implement improvements in quality or efficiency of operation.
• Managing the procurement, accountability and charge-out of inventory items in support of the Department.
• Ensuring needed materials and chemicals are on hand for daily work and that invoices are reconciled in a timely fashion.
• Supervising others who perform NPDES and process analyses in wastewater treatment as needed.
• Supervising all wastewater employees at the division level including operator trainee/ operators, maintenance, laboratory, and team lead personnel.
• Preparing, reviewing, and submitting regulatory agency required reporting and monitoring, with oversight by the Area Manager and Compliance Manager.
• Overseeing department safety programs, safety leadership and training of employees.
• Utilizing and supporting Aqua safety program and policies in conjunction with State Safety Specialist including but not limited to process safety, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Risk Management Plan, Lock Out/Tag Out and Confined Space Program.
• Performing all other duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, or engineering is preferred but not required. An advanced degree is advantageous.
• At least 10 years of experience in the industry with 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Previous experience should also include work with computer control systems and programming, environmental chemistry and laboratory procedures, computational skills to calculate chemical dosages and determine calibration of chemical feed systems, basic mechanical skills to maintain large pumps, drives, motors, piping systems, chemical feeders and storage tanks, knowledge of electrical power distribution and control systems.
• Advanced in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Creative problem-solving skills, strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment preferred.
• Ability to think analytically and logically with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to motivate oneself and others to accomplish required tasks, and the ability to work with and motivate people of diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with public officials, staff, and management.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively conduct business with internal and external customers and represent the company.
• Must be available for emergencies or consultation 24/7 and respond when necessary.
• Class 1 Illinois Public Wastewater Operator’s Certificate is required but will consider candidates with the ability to obtain a Class 1 certificate within the specified experience requirement.
• Candidate must possess a valid U.S. driver's license.

Pay

$113,000 - $145,000

Benefits

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).