Assistant Superintendent - Sokoll WTP

This position will remain open until filled, with applications reviewed on an ongoing basis. This job posting may be removed at any time without prior notice. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

Under general direction, directs, manages, supervises and coordinates the activities and operations of the Sokoll Water Treatment Plant within the Utilities department. Coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Water Plant Superintendent. Performs other duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Employees within this class perform full range of duties as assigned including the ability to operate the plant without supervision and to coordinate and oversee utility plant operators. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the water plant. Employees in this class are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to the assigned area of responsibility.

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Assist in managing and participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Assist in monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Assist in the selection and training of assigned employees; work with team members to identify and correct deficiencies; recommend discipline and termination procedures to superintendent. Evaluate assigned employees annually.
• Collect samples; perform a variety of routine water quality laboratory tests; perform process control testing including, but not limited to: alkalinity, fluoride, hardness, specific conductance, turbidity, chlorine residual, and chlorine dioxide.
• Order equipment and supplies as directed; perform jar tests for determination of chemical feed rates; perform taste and odor tests on raw and treated water; occasionally collect bacteriological samples; flush fire hydrants as needed; investigate taste and odor complaints from citizens.
• Monitor chlorine residuals in the water distribution system; water levels in storage tanks; pump operations and pump run times; assist or complete monthly reports; perform various clerical tasks as necessary.
• Start and stop plant operations as necessary to include raw-water plumbing, flow control, flocculation and sedimentation, membrane cells, disinfection, finished water pumping and mixers; load chemical feed machines as required.
• Make corrections and repairs to equipment and resolve such problems as they arise; check all operating equipment for proper operation; perform plant cleaning and servicing functions; maintain plant grounds; assist in conducting plant tours as needed; monitor plant computer and SCADA computer to determine plant operations.
• Operate various water treatment equipment and machinery including vehicles, lawn mowers, lab equipment, chlorinator, hand tools and power tools, filters, trac-vacs, mop, buffer, spray painter, grease gun and various office equipment.
• Fill chemical tanks and feeders; check calibration and adjust chemical feed rates and document amount of chemicals used, report material or equipment needs to superintendent.
• Ensure the drinking water meets and exceeds the minimum state and federal health standards; ensure that all state and federal required testing and analysis are performed in compliance with required schedules.
• Conduct public education tours of the water plant; evaluate existing electronic instrumentations and make recommendations for improvements; make recommendations for short- and long-range planning for treatment operations.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the division's annual budget; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments.
• Serve as the liaison for Sokoll Water Treatment Plant with other divisions, departments and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Conduct and report on a variety of organizational studies, investigations and operational studies; recommend modifications to plant operation programs, policies and procedures as appropriate.
• Compile and prepare various departmental and regulatory reports in a timely manner.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of water plant maintenance and operations.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Utility Plant Superintendent, Treatment Operations Manager, Assistant Utilities Director and Director of Utilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a utilities plant maintenance and operation program, specifically membrane systems.
• Required regulatory reporting for water operations.
• Engineering, chemical and bacteriological principles and practices related to water treatment operations.
• Principles and practices of utilities plant operations.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Mathematical calculations.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Methods and techniques of construction and architecture.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding treatment plant maintenance and operations.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Assist in overseeing and participating in the management of a comprehensive treatment plant maintenance and operations program.
• Analyze & interpret data to prepare reliable records and reports.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives and procedures.
• Prepare and administer large program budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Develop and administer an efficient records management system.
• Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education, Training and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED supplemented by specialized training in Utility Plant Operations. Bachelors degree in civil engineering, environmental sciences or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum of five years of increasing responsible experience in the maintenance and operation of water treatment plants including a minimum of two years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Any combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certification and licenses may qualify.

Licenses and Certificates:

• A valid State drivers license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid class "C" Surface Water Operators license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
• Possession of an appropriate, valid class "B" Surface Water Operators license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or obtain within 12 months of employment.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular in-person attendance including evenings and weekends and requires participation in the on-call rotation with the current operators.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists. The employee is frequently required to lift up to 25 pounds unaided.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment:

The employee may be required to work both outdoors and in a water plant environment; May be subject to extreme weather conditions or other adverse environmental conditions, including high noise, dust, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. Incumbent within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedules/hours.