Wastewater Collection System Supervisor

City of San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

The City of San Luis Obispo is hiring for a Wastewater Collection System Supervisor!

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, May 12, 2025, so please hold that date.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE:

The Successful candidate:

Will value staff development and provide growth and learning opportunities to maintain a high-level functioning team;

Will work to preserve the City and Utilities Branch culture of communication, teamwork, respect, and accountability;

Will foster a growth mindset of continual improvement that leverages individual strengths and experience of subject matter experts (without micromanaging);

Is motivated, eager to learn, has an excellent work ethic, and will work well with others on crews and teams;

Must have strong analytical, reading, writing, and verbal presentation skills;

Will be able to perform administrative responsibilities such as budget development and long range planning;

Will possess strong leadership skills, can evaluate organizational effectiveness, and develop procedures to enhance both efficiency and effectiveness;

Possesses the ability to form strong relationships, assemble effective teams, values trust, embraces safe communication, and will not shy away from difficult conversations;

Will have a thorough understanding of regulatory, environmental, and regional challenges as well as industry trends and developments as they relate to wastewater management.
Demonstrates the ability to accurately read and interpret plan sets, with the capacity to recommend and implement revisions or modifications as necessary

JOB SUMMARY:
Plans, coordinates, manages, reviews, evaluates and participates in all wastewater collection facility and storm water system operations, maintenance and repair activities; initiates and implements preventive maintenance programs to maintain maximum wastewater flow and minimize storm water intrusion for wastewater facilities and ensures that activities are in compliance with federal, state and local regulations; performs related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This mid-management level class is responsible for the City's wastewater and storm water collection/maintenance program. The incumbent of this single-position class administers a variety of preventive maintenance and repair programs providing work oversight, review and evaluation to operational and maintenance personnel. Successful performance of the work requires a high degree of technical and regulatory knowledge to ensure that assigned functions are carried out in a cost-effective manner and in compliance with regulatory requirements. This class is distinguished from Deputy Director of Utilities/Wastewater in that the latter has responsibility for all wastewater collection, pretreatment, treatment facility operations, equipment maintenance, repair and related functions.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
The Wastewater Collection Supervisor receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Utilities/Wastewater within a framework of legal requirements, policies and established organizational values and processes with independence of action to meet changing operational conditions. Direct supervision is provided to various levels of operations and maintenance staff. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

Plans, oversees and evaluates the operation and maintenance of wastewater collection facilities, including the hydro-cleaning and closed-circuit television line preventive maintenance investigative programs.
Plans, oversees and evaluates the maintenance cleaning of the storm water system, including hydro-cleaning and closed circuit television line preventative maintenance investigative programs. Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of staff to ensure that work is completed in a safe and appropriate manner and within regulatory requirements; develops and implements work and standby schedules.
Trains staff in work procedures and methods; evaluates the work of staff; initiates and implements work selection and disciplinary procedures.
Ensures that wastewater collection services are maintained during construction, maintenance and emergency repair activities.
Contributes and assists in the long- and short-range planning of collection system facility construction and modification projects; develops and administers the wastewater section operating budget; identifies, prepares budget estimates, and oversees design and construction of wastewater collection capital improvement projects.
Assists in the development of the storm water/flood control budget.
Investigates, develops and administers various funding programs for the investigation and rehabilitation of sanitary sewer mainline, lateral facilities and appurtenances.
Directs the maintenance and inventory of materials, supplies and equipment required for the effective operation of wastewater collection facilities.
Assists in preparing and reviewing specifications and requests for proposals for system construction, modification and improvements; inspects work-in-progress and upon completion; contacts vendors and service contractors regarding prices, delivery and services for materials, supplies and equipment.
Inspects work sites for safety violations; ensures that safety procedures are followed and that safety equipment is worn; makes periodic safety presentations to assigned staff.
Troubleshoots operations and maintenance problems; corrects, repairs or directs the correction and repair of operational and/or equipment problems.
Responds to emergency situations during off-hours, as required; maintains employee standby availability on a scheduled basis.
Prepares and directs the preparation and timely submission of a variety of written correspondence, reports, procedures, ordinances and other materials.
Maintains and directs the maintenance of automated and manual files.
Represents the City and the department in meetings with a variety of public, private and regulatory agencies.
Confers with and assists staff of other City departments to ensure that regulatory and industry standards are complied with in related projects.
Monitors changes in laws, regulations and technology that may affect division operations; implements changes to policies and procedures, after approval.
Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

The operation, maintenance and repair of wastewater pumps, lift stations, mains, laterals, telemetry and related appurtenances and equipment.
Mechanical, electrical, electronic and hydraulic principles and practices related to assigned functional areas.
Principles and practices of contract negotiation and administration.
Principles and practices of public agency budget preparation and administration.
Recent developments, current technology and informational resources regarding wastewater collection and storm water systems and equipment.
Supervisory principles and practices, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation.
Techniques for training staff in work procedures.
The operation and minor maintenance of a variety of hand and power tools, vehicles and equipment related to the work.
Safety equipment and practices related to the work, including confined space entry procedures.
Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
Computer applications related to the work.
Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, supervise, coordinate, review, evaluate and personally participate in the functions and activities of a comprehensive wastewater collection system.
Plan, assign, supervise, review and evaluate the work of collection and storm water system operations and maintenance staff.
Train staff in work and safety procedures.
Recognize and correct or report unusual, inefficient or dangerous operating conditions.
Read a variety of gauges, charts and meters; record data accurately and make appropriate system maintenance and repair decisions.
Troubleshoot maintenance problems and determine materials and supplies required for repair.
Address and solve customer complaints and issues regarding wastewater services, sewer line blockage and related problems.
Read and interpret construction drawings, electrical and collection system plans and specifications.
Prepare and administer multiple budgets and contracts.
Maintain accurate logs and written records of operations and work performed.
Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
Establish and maintain effective working relations with those contacted in the course of the work.
Work in a team atmosphere and participate on a variety of departmental and City-wide committees to enhance the provision of all City services. Must be available for callback and to work emergency overtime as required. Must be willing to work out-of-doors in all-weather conditions and with exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and conditions.
Must possess strength, stamina and mobility to work in office and field settings, to lift and carry materials weighing up to fifty pounds and heavier weights with assistance, to perform moderate physical work and use hand and power tools and instrumentation; stamina to work in and inspect confined spaces around machines and to climb and descend ladders; vision to read printed materials, charts and gauges and a computer screen; hearing and speech to converse in person and over the telephone or radio.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
An Associate's degree or two years of college with major coursework in water-related studies or a field related to the work which will have provided the required technical knowledge;
and
Three years of experience in the operations and maintenance of a wastewater collection system including one year at a supervisory level or shift lead;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.

A Bachelor's degree in a field related to the work is highly desirable.

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
A valid California class A driver's license within six months of hire.
Possession of a Grade IV Collection System Maintenance certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association is required within one year of hire.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE: