Water Resources Operations Manager

The City of Livermore is currently accepting applications for the position of Water Resources Operations Manager. Please refer to the job brochure for more information regarding the position and recruitment timeline. This position serves as the Chief Plant Operator for the Water Reclamation Plant (wastewater treatment).

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Water Resources Division Manager, plans, organizes, directs and manages the Operations Section in the Water Resources Division; coordinates section activities with other sections/divisions/departments, external customers and contractors; may be assigned to perform the duties of the Division Manager during his/her absence; and performs other duties as assigned.

DISTIGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Water Resources Operations Manager is responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of the section staff and workload as well as the administrative functions of the section. It is distinguished from the Water Resources Division Manager position in that the later has overall responsibility for an entire division, including the division's leadership and administrative responsibilities. It is further distinguished from the Water Resources Supervising Operator which is the first line supervisory position over the day-to-day functions of the section.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

General direction is provided by the Water Resources Division Manager.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides direct supervision to the Water Resources Supervising Operators and indirect supervision of all personnel assigned to the Operations Section. Administrative Functions Recommends and implements section goals and objectives; establishes performance standards, guidelines and methods; develops, implements and administers current and new programs and policies; participates on department and City-wide committees; coordinates section activities with other sections, divisions, or departments as well as external customers; interfaces with engineering on capital improvement projects; administers and monitors contracts and reviews work for City compliance; answers questions and provides information to the public and other City personnel; develops, conducts, and monitors a variety of assessment tools, such as plant vulnerability assessments, emergency response plans, the treatment plant master plan, and other assessments and studies; investigates operational complaints and recommends corrective action; implements, administers and maintains automated software systems related to operations; administers outside contracts and work of contractors; recommends annual equipment and material purchases to Division Manager and Department Head; identifies and implements improvements and modifications; prepares various reports on operations and activities; prepares, monitors, and administers the section's budget; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations and purchases of equipment and vehicles; submits justifications for expenditures; and monitors and administers expenditures. Supervisory Functions Recommends employees for initial hire and subsequent promotion; administers employee performance evaluation completion for the section and completes performance evaluations on assigned staff; investigates personnel related issues; recommends appropriate disciplinary action, implements corrective action, and monitors employee performance; develops detailed criteria to measure technical competency of assigned staff in operating all plant processes and equipment; develops and recommends technical training programs schedules and monitors the work of staff; trains staff in technical and leadership skills; plans and reviews daily and weekly work assignments and schedules; monitors timecards and all employee leave balances; evaluates operations and activities of section; develops benchmark standards for performance measures and promotes continuous improvement; and ensures safety training of all staff and that the work environment is in compliance with safety standards. Operations Functions Plans, directs and coordinates the efforts of the Operations functions for the Water Reclamation Plant; serves as the Chief Plant Operator for the wastewater treatment plant; sets overall process-control parameters and develops standard operating procedures to assure compliance with State and Federal regulations; plans, directs, and coordinates treatment plant security efforts; plans, directs and coordinates recycled water production to assure compliance with all State and Federal regulations; reviews and interprets operational data to effectively and quickly identify, diagnose, and correct problems with the treatment process; establishes and directs process-review or operational improvement teams as necessary to address emerging operational problems; reviews and provides comments on proposed maintenance projects and coordinates project implementation to minimize impacts on plant operations; reviews and provides detailed comments on proposed capital improvement projects regarding potential operational or regulatory impacts; and supervises the operational data collection to complete required periodic reporting.

Demonstrated Knowledge of :

Principles, practices, materials, equipment, and standard operating procedures necessary to efficiently operate wastewater treatment facilities of a similar or greater size and complexity as those of the City; current State and Federal regulations governing wastewater treatment and the operation of a wastewater treatment facility; current State and Federal regulations governing recycled water production; specific chemical and biological processes and tests applied in the wastewater treatment industry; equipment, tools, terminology, and materials commonly used in the wastewater industry; general design, basic construction, assembly, and operation of hydraulic equipment, power generators, pumps, and controls; specific safety practices and requirements applicable to all aspects of wastewater treatment; modern supervisory practices and principles; principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluations; principles of budget development, asset management, administration and expenditure control systems; principles, practices, rules and codes relating to work safety management; and pertinent local, State and Federal laws, ordinances and rules. Demonstrated Skills to : Organize, implement, and direct operations and activities of wastewater treatment plant operators; interpret operational process-control data to quickly diagnose problems in primary, secondary, or tertiary treatment processes and propose effective corrective actions; effectively manage personnel in a 24-hour operational environment; develop and monitor the section's budget; effectively work with regulatory agencies; interpret and understand the contents of technical manuals, specifications, blueprints, layouts and schematics; perform basic and advanced mathematical calculations necessary to evaluate process control data, interpret statistical compliance, and establish operational flow-rate, time intervals, or set-points; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe, problem solve and research operational and technical policy and procedures and make sound recommendations; establish and maintain effective working relationships; communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing; maintain required work logs, records and related operational and maintenance data; prepare clear and concise written reports involving narrative comment and statistical, operational, or financial data; instruct and train others in specific policies, practices, and operating procedures used in wastewater treatment; manage databases and/or maintenance management software to track operational data or section activities; and exemplify an enthusiastic, resourceful, and effective customer service attitude with all who are contacted in the course of the work. Ability to : Learn, interpret, and apply City, department and division rules, regulations, policies and practices; and establish and maintain open and effective communication within the Operations section and throughout the Division.

Experience, Education, and Training Guidelines :

Any combination of experience, education, and training that would provide the best-qualified candidates. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

Experience :

Five years of progressively responsible operations experience in a California wastewater treatment plant facility performing California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Grade III or higher level duties, which included managing capital improvement projects and consultants, and at least two years of direct employee supervision.

Education :

Equivalent to graduation from high school, supplemented by specialized training or college coursework in wastewater treatment, chemistry, biology, environmental science, or other related science courses. Possession of a bachelor's degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Training :

Any recent training such as academic courses and certification programs that are relevant to this job classification.

License :

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.

Certifications:

Requires the possession and maintenance of the SWRCB Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's Certificate at time of appointment.

Other Requirements :

Must have a willingness and ability to work the hours that are necessary to accomplish the job; serve as the Chief Plant Operator and be on-call, as required; travel and attend conferences, meetings, seminars and courses during work and non-work hours.

Special Requirements :

Essential duties require the mental and/or physical ability to: work in a standard office environment; drive a vehicle; operate a computer; read fine print with no color deficiencies to work with color coded wires; converse over the telephone; detect noises at job sites; strength to safely lift and maneuver up to 50 pounds; mobility to bend, stoop, reach and climb; and use required respiratory protection equipment and work in adverse physical and climatic conditions. The City of Livermore is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity.