Water Resource Recovery Facility Chief Operator

City of Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, AL

The purpose of this classification is to under general direction, plan, coordinate, direct and implement the operations and maintenance of the City’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) and sanitary sewer lift stations to ensure compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations.The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Ensures supervisors and staff are aware of and follow all City safety policies and procedures. Ensures supervisors and staff have the proper personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate job hazards. Consults with Safety Director to ensure proper safety training is provided to supervisors and staff.

Supervises, directs and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, recommending disciplinary action and completing employee performance appraisals.

Oversees WRRF and sanitary sewer lift station processes/equipment operations, per established procedures to ensure proper treatment of wastewater per federal/state regulations.

Oversees inspections of WRRF/lift station equipment and operations for safety, maintenance, and proper process operations; responds to operator problems and schedules repairs.

Consults with engineers and laboratory, WRRF maintenance, lift station and sewer line personnel for review and planning.

Prepares personnel reports for payroll; approves billing and purchase requisitions; receives reports, and correspondence; reviews, approves, and forwards designs/reports.

Responds to complaints/problems from employees, contractors, public officials, legal department, and the general public; handles complaint calls.

Maintains inventory of chemicals and equipment; schedules servicing of equipment.

Consults with equipment vendors.

Coordinates the work of the WRRF operations staff with that of WRRF maintenance and laboratory staff; ensures a positive and cooperative work interaction between WRRF operations, other IPS divisions, and other City departments.

Conducts ongoing facility and treatment process assessments; monitors treatment processes and establishes and adjusts treatment process operating parameters to meet operational needs.
Establishes work schedules, priorities and assigns the work of WRRF operations staff.

Communicates all facts essential to the efficient operation of the WRRF and reports all operating problems or emergencies immediately to the Water Resource Recovery Facility Operations Manager.

Participates in the budget process; reviews and provides input on facility operating budget and capital improvement projects; provides recommendations for reducing WRRF operating budget.

Oversees all aspects of facility operations including but not limited to, the control of objectionable odors, proper housekeeping and grounds keeping, process control and monitoring, facility record keeping, etc.

Recognizes training needs of WRRF operations staff; provides training and training opportunities in work and safety procedures as required; complies with and enforces all city and OSHA safety regulations and requirements.

Conducts educational and public awareness tours of the WRRF for local civic, school, and other interested parties.

Responds to WRRF and sanitary sewer lift station emergencies.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.High school diploma or GED required with specialty training in Wastewater Treatment, Biology, Chemistry, Mechanics or related field; five years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, water resources engineering, water resource recovery facility operations, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provided the requisite knowledge, skills, an abilities for this job. Must possess and maintain a valid Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification, but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, calculator, copiers, fax machines, and telephone. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light work.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include forms, reports, engineering drawings, electrical diagrams, procedural manuals, personnel manuals, and operational manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange wastewater treatment, engineering, mechanical, electrical, personnel, financial, and legal information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with engineers and the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of wastewater treatment engineering, mechanical, personnel, electrical, financial, and legal documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex mechanical, electrical, personnel, legal, financial, and wastewater utility-related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract totals; multiply and divide totals; determine percentages; determine time and weight; interpret statistical data; utilize basic algebraic formulas, and perform statistical calculations.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment, which may include scales, standard measuring devices, and test kits.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment and to operate a motor vehicle.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, automated office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.
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