Wastewater Technical Services Manager

About the role

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking a Technical Services Manager to oversee process optimization and machine learning associated with the operation of a large wastewater utility. This is a technical leadership role requiring process and data management experience, strong troubleshooting skills, and the ability to coordinate with city, county, state, and federal partners.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and manage the activities of professional and technical personnel engaged in specialized wastewater process operations.
• Coordinate engineering evaluations and reviews with city and county departments, private utilities, firms, and state or federal agencies.
• Analyze and determine the effectiveness of treatment processes and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Develop wastewater process control policies, procedures, and standards in conformance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Develop process improvements, write technical reports and white papers, and plan, review, and prepare reports and proposals for new projects.
• Respond to public requests for information and resolve complaints.
• Develop departmental budget, perform return on investment evaluations, and monitor contracts and expenditures.
• Advise on all matters pertaining to wastewater design, process control, odor control, energy usage, and systems troubleshooting.
• Train, supervise, and evaluate assigned personnel.
• Provide expert testimony in court cases involving permit appeals and groundwater degradation issues.
• Develop general control narrative outlines and basic P&IDs, evaluate existing control narratives for functionality and efficiency, and revise control parameters as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree of Science from an accredited college or university with a major in a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) discipline or a closely-related field or four years of experience in water pollution control, project management, industrial facility operations and maintenance, engineering, or water/wastewater industry technical consulting (including two years of supervisory or management experience).
• Possession of a current Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 4 Wastewater or Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification may substitute for the Bachelor’s degree.
• Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.
• Four years with Pima County as a Wastewater Technical Training Supervisor, Wastewater Operations & Maintenance Supervisor II, Wastewater Operations Manager, Wastewater Planning Manager, or related position (including one year of supervisory experience).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or environmental engineering, or equivalent four-year engineering degree (in-field professional engineering experience a plus).
• Minimum two years of experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rivet, or plan-set-to-data system integration.
• Minimum two years of experience with applications involving thermodynamics, flow dynamics, or systematic process optimization methods.
• Minimum two years of experience with metals and materials science, piping and support structures, mechanical equipment selection, and 3D design work.
• Minimum two years of experience in program management, process management, or other engineering modeling software.

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid driver license is required at time of application; valid Arizona driver license is required at time of appointment.
• The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine suitability to operate county vehicles.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

• Sufficient body flexibility, mobility, stamina, and balance to allow for standing, walking, sitting, grasping, frequent bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs/ladders, occasional crawling, kneeling, squatting, lifting/carrying objects up to 50 pounds, pushing and pulling objects up to 75 pounds, donning/doffing fall protection to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to interpret written manuals, gauges, etc., including distinguishing various colors; comprehending voice communications in-person, over radio/phone, and hearing operating equipment; operation of machinery and powered industrial equipment.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor work, including during inclement and hot weather, with exposure to waterborne pathogens/agents, hazardous materials and gases, water hazards and wet/slippery surfaces, odors, fumes, humidity, dirt, dust, traffic hazards, venomous pests, uneven surfaces, and electric arc flash potential.