Utilities Chief Plant Operator - Burnt Store Water

JOB SUMMARY

Performs highly responsible technical and supervisory work planning, organizing, and directing the daily operations of a water or wastewater treatment facility. Supervises and trains plant operators, unskilled, and semi-skilled workers engaged in the efficient operation and minor maintenance of plant equipment. Work requires the exercise of considerable technical knowledge and the use of independent judgment in the safe and efficient management and operation of treatment plants and disposal systems. Work also requires the exercise of considerable independent discretion in plant operation procedures within established technical standards and departmental rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Supervises and manages the operation of treatment facilities, injection wells, percolation evaporation ponds, spray irrigation, reclaimed water operations, bio-solids processing, and disposal systems. 
• Supervises and trains operators in the inspection, adjustment, minor repair, and cleaning of treatment plant equipment such as chlorinators, blowers, sludge collectors, sludge handling equipment, chemical feeders, pumps, valves, screens, and related equipment. 
• Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; maintains technical and industry standards; coordinates activities and allocates personnel; monitors status of work in progress; inspects completed work; and provides direction, training, and technical expertise to assigned staff. 
• Monitors the status of plant operations and distribution systems; detects abnormalities in flows, pressures, chemical feeds, levels and water quality; adjusts feed, flow levels, and chemicals as needed. 
• Ensures all work activities and plant operations are in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal policies, procedures, safety rules, laws, regulations, and water quality standards. 
• Participates in the planning of plant systems improvements and expansions; evaluates current and future needs; prioritizes improvements and expansions; and makes recommendations.  
• Maintains and repairs plant equipment and systems; supervises the performance of and performs preventative and corrective maintenance; and creates work orders. 
• Maintains records; conducts research; compiles data; and prepares and submits operational and regulatory reports. 
• Maintains inventory of parts, equipment, and supplies; orders parts and supplies for repairs; and recommends alterations to the plant machinery. 
• Participates in the development and administration of budget for assigned plant; provides specific and pertinent information to assist in budget preparation; and monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget. 
• May manage maintenance program software. 
• Assists in the selection, placement, promotion, training, development, safety, and appraisal of assigned employees. 
• Reviews permits to ensure that all sampling, testing, and inspections are completed according to schedule. 
• Provides exceptional customer assistance, problem-solving, and/or complaint resolution by all forms of communication. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

An equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent:
  1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Operator Certification Program only accepts General Educational Development (GED) issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator.
• Five (5) years of experience in wastewater or water treatment facility operations, to include lead or supervisory experience.

Licenses and/or Certificates:

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Depending on area of assignment, must possess and maintain a valid Florida Wastewater Operator "A/B/C" License for Domestic Wastewater Treatment or Florida Water Class "A/B/C" Operator License of Drinking Water Treatment.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Knowledge of departmental policies, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern office practices, plans, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other job-related computer programs and software applications.
• Knowledge of the operating principles and theories of treatment plants and equipment. 
• Knowledge of current regulations, standards, practices, and procedures used in the operation of treatment plants and equipment. 
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions concerning water and wastewater management. 
• Time-management skills, project management skills and ability to meet deadlines. 
• Skill in effective communication, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in the use of office equipment such as a computer, multi-line telephone system, scanner, fax machine, and copier.
• Ability to interpret blueprints, charts, graphs, and computer computations of laboratory analysis. 
• Ability to advise employees in diagnostics techniques utilized in job tasks. 
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Ability to plan, organize, delegate, and supervise the work of unskilled, skilled, and technical personnel as assigned. 
• Ability to assess processes and operational performance and to make appropriate adjustments to maximize efficiencies, quality of output and operational performance. 
• Ability to make decisions recognizing established precedents and practices and to use resourcefulness and tact in solving new problems. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to provide internal/external guidance and customer assistance via all forms of communication. 
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and/or accounting purposes.
• Ability to author reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, service providers, other employees, and the general public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Walking, sitting, grasping, hearing, seeing up close, seeing far away, talking, standing, finger movement, repetitive motions, depth perception.  Occasional lifting up to 10-25 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed indoors but is exposed to temperamental changes (e.g., warehouses, covered loading docks, garages, etc.) or irate customers, extreme noise, odors, heights and/or dust.

RISK/SAFETY CONDITIONS

The position requires exposure to some risk related to physical and/or mental health and safety (e.g., exposure to environmentally hazardous material, heavy equipment, assault and battery, communicable disease, etc.).

Charlotte County is an Affirmative Action/ADA/Veterans’ Preference and Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities are Encouraged to Apply.

Salary : $28 - $46