WWTF Superintendent

The City of Sumner is recruiting a Wastewater Treatment Facility Superintendent. First review of applications will be conducted on March 13, 2025. 

2025 Hiring Range: $4,952.05 - $5,536.18 biweekly, with growth to $6,188.68 - DOQ.

Ideal Candidate: 
In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in science or engineering from a four-year university or college, particularly in the fields of civil or environmental engineering, environmental science, water resources, biology, chemistry, or a related field or an Associate's Degree directly related to wastewater and/or water plant or utility management. Supervisory work experience directing personnel engaged in the operation or maintenance of a Class III or higher activated sludge wastewater treatment facility and experience working with and administering an NPDES permit.


This position is a full-time, Fair Labor Standards Act overtime exempt position. This position is designated as a Safety Sensitive Position. Attendance at evening meetings or other off-duty events is anticipated. Hybrid and alternative work schedules may be available. The incumbent in this position is not a Civil Service employee.

General Purpose
The Wastewater Superintendent oversees the daily operation, maintenance, staffing, and regulatory compliance of the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF), which serves the cities of Sumner and Bonney Lake. The position is under the direction of the Deputy Public Works Director – Operations and Wastewater Treatment. The Superintendent applies technical expertise in wastewater treatment processes, equipment, and safety protocols while exercising independent judgment in problem-solving and decision-making. Key responsibilities include supervising personnel, optimizing WWTF operations, budgeting, and coordinating with regulatory agencies. Strong leadership, analytical skills, and the ability to troubleshoot complex operational issues are essential for success in this role.

About Sumner:
The City of Sumner’s vision is to set the standard of excellence for a progressive small city. In working to achieve that vision, Sumner prioritizes and celebrates diverse perspectives, life experiences and differences. The City actively seeks and encourages people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics to apply and all come together with a goal of continuing to learn and improve to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of our community.  Sumner remains a traditional city of just over 11,000 residents with agricultural roots, known for decades as the Rhubarb Pie Capital of the World. At the same time, its compact, walkable layout aligns perfectly with progressive planning trends, as its classic Main Street becomes repurposed for boutiques, independent restaurants and daily services such as legal offices, financial advisors and doctors. While Sumner retains historic neighborhoods of Craftsman houses and an active high school right on Main Street, it also offers over 16,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs for companies such as REI, Keurig Dr. Pepper, Amazon.com, and Dillanos Coffee Roasters. With a downtown Sound Transit station with buses and trains, it is well connected to the Puget Sound region while striving to be a full-service city with the largest YMCA facility in the state of Washington as well as a link trail system that will connect the Foothills and Interurban trails.  Like the community, the city government is large enough to be professional but small enough to be creative. The City has won a variety of awards from the Governor's Smart Planning Award to recognition at the International Association of Chiefs of Police for its groundbreaking police work on victims' assistance. With a strong mayor format, the City has just over 120 employees who operate a cemetery, wastewater treatment facility, accredited police department, animal shelter, parks, full service public works and administration.

About Sumner's Wastewater Treatment Facility:
The Sumner WWTF is a regional facility serving both the City of Sumner and the City of Bonney Lakes sewer systems. The facility recently completed a major upgrade in 2015 increasing its rated flow capacity to 6.10 MGD and increasing its facility loading capacity for 5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand to 10,900 lb. /day and Total Suspended Solids to 12,660 lb. /day. The influent headworks includes flow measuring and sampling on both city wastewater influent loadings. Flow then travels to primary clarifiers followed by aeration basins. The aeration basins have selector zones and are operated using a modified MLE process. The aeration basins are followed by secondary clarifiers and finally UV disinfection of the effluent. Wasted sludge is thickened using a Dissolved Air Flotation thickener (DAFT).The generated biosolids are processed thru anaerobic digestion with final treatment through an indirect dryer producing Exceptional Quality Class "A" Biosolids. Biosolids are given away to the public from on-site locations within the plant or delivered in bulk to sites throughout the region. The WWTF is located between the Puyallup and White Rivers and due to the flood potential is surrounded by a floodwall to protect the facility.
 
In addition to the WWTF, the staff also service sixteen sewage lift stations throughout the City of Sumner. Fourteen of the lift stations are submersible pump stations and two are drywell wetwell stations. The City of Bonney Lake services its own lift stations. Most sewage lift stations have flow measuring devices and generators and have been upgraded or replaced within the past 10 years. The sewer system is supported by a SCADA operating system as is the WWTF.

The job duties and responsibilities in this job description in no way imply that these are the only duties to be performed. Employees occupying the position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by a supervisor.  While requirements may be representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty with expert proficiency.

Listed below are examples of typical duties:

• Oversees the day-to-day maintenance programs, projects, and operations of the facility; reviews and evaluates daily activities and work assignments with Chief Operators and the Deputy Director. 
• Provides expertise in resolving operational and maintenance issues and directs the response to and recovery of service during emergencies and planned and unplanned operation stoppages.
• Efficiently administers the safe operation and maintenance of the WWTF and wastewater lift stations, ensuring National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Department of Ecology (Ecology) permit compliance. 
• Manages and oversees the Industrial Pretreatment Program.
• Ensures WWTF NPDES permit submittals are completed on or before permit deadlines.
• Researches, evaluates, and integrates new work practices, technologies, and systems to enhance productivity.
• Trains operators on WWTF practices and procedures.
• Efficiently administers the city's biosolids management program; ensures permit compliance with the Ecology and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding biosolids testing, production, and disposal.
• Collaborates with the public and regulatory agencies such as Tacoma/Pierce County Department of Health, Washington State Department of Health and Ecology, and EPA.
• Monitors and administers WWTF and sewer lift stations' SCADA systems. 
• Oversees WWTF infrastructure, system security, and data integrity controls, ensuring that appropriate systems are in place and operational.
• Collaborates with staff to develop operational goals, short and long-term capital projects, new projects, and other planning decisions related to operations, maintenance, facilities, budgeting, or equipment;
• Manages and approves expenditures within wastewater operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Manages and supervises wastewater personnel, including but not limited to interviewing, recommending candidates, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints, grievances, and disputes; performing escalated investigations and resolving problems; evaluating performance; recommending promotions and disciplinary actions; implementing organizational changes; approving and scheduling leave time; and recommending terminations as appropriate.
• Oversees the WWTF laboratory and analytical testing, including quality assurance and quality control, reviews lab test results, and makes the necessary adjustments.
• Prepares various records, reports, memorandums, and letters, including attendance, department activities, scheduled maintenance, operational manuals, and time sheets.
• Monitors emerging technologies, industry trends, proposed regulations, and upcoming federal and state legislative and administrative changes that may impact the maintenance and operations of the WWTF.
• Attends and presents at various meetings related to the WWTF, sometimes outside of standard working hours, including but not limited to the Sumner-Bonney Lake Joint Advisory Committee, City of Sumner committee and council meetings, and City of Bonney Lake committee and council meetings.
• Leads tours of the facility to various groups, including city staff, councilmembers, community members, and others.
• Schedules monthly safety meetings for staff. Ensures all safety equipment is available and in good condition and employees follow safety regulations with regard to appropriate operations. Administers the wastewater treatment division safety program.
• Effectively communicates with city administration, staff, engineers, consultants, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any equivalent combination of education, technical training, and experience demonstrating the capability to fulfill the requirements of the position will be considered.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent. 
• At least seven (7) years experience as an Operator at a WWTF with similar responsibilities for facility operation. 
• One (1) year of related college-level coursework can be substituted for two (2) years of experience.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• Possession and maintenance of a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Valid Washington State Wastewater Operator Certification for Group III plants with maintenance thereafter.
• Possession of standard first-aid/CPR certification or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.

Desired Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• A Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in science or engineering from a four-year university or college, particularly in the fields of civil or environmental engineering, environmental science, water resources, biology, chemistry, or a related field; or,
• An Associate's Degree directly related to wastewater and/or water plant or utility management.
• Supervisory work experience directing personnel engaged in the operation or maintenance of a Class III or higher activated sludge wastewater treatment facility.
• Experience working with and administering an NPDES permit.

Other Requirements:

• This is identified as a Safety Sensitive Position. A pre-employment drug screening will be required upon conditional job offer.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Equipment, facilities, materials, methods, and procedures used in wastewater collection and treatment systems, including telemetry systems and instrumentation.
• Federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permitting, and procedures related to wastewater treatment, pretreatment, biosolids production and disposal, wastewater lift stations, and wastewater collection/conveyance systems.
• The activated sludge process, testing procedures, chemistry and chemical and process testing procedures, troubleshooting, and detecting process hazards.
• Attendant laboratory test equipment and procedures for collecting and testing wastewater samples at a standard needed to meet lab accreditation standards and interpret these test results to adjust for proper Facility operation.
• Wastewater treatment processes and the operation of a Biological Nutrient Removal treatment plant to include Biosolids production and disposal practices, collection conveyance systems, wastewater lift stations and related equipment.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to wastewater treatment facilities.
• Odor control management of a wastewater facility.
• Leadership and supervisory principles and practices.
• Fiscal management, including cost analysis, budget development, and asset management.

Ability to:

• Perform tasks requiring physical strength and agility.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions and work independently in the performance of routinely assigned duties.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Operate power and manual hand tools.
• Work and be called into work during times outside of regular working hours to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the City and its citizens.
• Provide excellent customer service by using a friendly, professional, accurate, and customer-orientated approach to a wide variety of customers, including the general public and other staff, including in-person and oral communications.
• Make accurate equipment readings and test results and legibly record readings and results.
• Accurately diagnose equipment malfunctions and take corrective action.
• Demonstrate skill in all of the abilities as identified in the WWTF Operator classification.
• Prioritize and schedule work.
• Operate a computer terminal to enter data, maintain records, and generate reports.
• Operate software used by the City.
• Maintain reliable, dependable attendance.
• Contribute to achieving the City's mission.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands/work environment described is representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Requirements may be subject to modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities who are otherwise qualified for employment in this position.  However, some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. 
   
 Description of Work Environment:
 Work is typically performed both in and outdoors in all weather conditions.  The noise level of the treatment facility is typical of most construction sites and plant environments. Fieldwork includes the exposure to noise, nuisance dust, noxious and toxic gases and vapors, traffic, and other related job hazards.  Where appropriate, personal protective equipment will be issued to the employee for use, with the employee being trained in its application and use. Exposure to hazards is an inherent part of the job.

Physical Requirements:
 Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, mobility, fingering, grasping, talking, seeing, hearing, walking, climbing, and crawling.

Medium work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.   

Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
   
The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
 
Background checks will include:

• Prior Employment Verification: confirms applicant's employment with the listed companies, including dates of employment, position held and additional information available pertaining to performance rating, reason for departure and eligibility for rehire. This verification will be run on the past three employers or the previous five years, whichever comes first.
• Personal and Professional References: calls will be placed to individuals listed as references by the applicant.
• Employment Eligibility Verification: Form I-9 is used for verifying the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States.
• Educational Verification: confirms the applicant's claimed educational institution, including the years attended and the degree/diploma received.
• Criminal History: includes review of criminal convictions and probation. The following factors will be considered for applicants with a criminal history:
  • The nature of the crime and its relationship to the position.
  • The time since the conviction.
  • The number (if more than one) of convictions.
  • Whether hiring, transferring or promoting the applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees or its customers and vendors. The following additional background searches will be required if applicable to the position:
• Motor Vehicle Records: provides a report on an individual's driving history in the state requested. This search will be run when driving is an essential requirement of the position.
• Credit History: confirms candidate's credit history. This search will be run for positions that involve management of City of Sumner funds and/or handling of cash or credit cards.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The City is an equal employment opportunity employer.  The City employs, retains, promotes, terminates and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies shall be applied without regard to any individual's sex, race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, sensory, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation including gender expression and identity, genetic information, domestic violence victim or other basis prohibited by law. 

Persons needing assistance in the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 253-299-5595 or email hr@sumnerwa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

Drug Free Workplace:

The City of Sumner is a drug free workplace. The City is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy work environment, free from employees whose job performance may be impaired by the use of prescription, nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, illegal controlled substances, marijuana and alcohol. 

General Hiring Process Information: 

• Candidates must submit required document(s) as outlined in the job announcement in order to be considered. 
• Submitting a cover letter and resume is not required but is recommended. 
• Applicants must provide professional references with accurate phone numbers and accurate email addresses. References will only be contacted for applicants who progress past the interview process. 
• If multiple applications are received for the same candidate, only the most recently submitted, complete application will be considered. 
• Applications received by the review date will be screened for minimum qualifications and then submitted to a Subject Matter Expert to select which candidates will be invited to interview. Personally identifiable information is removed from the applications during the screening process.
• Applicants who are invited to interview will receive notification by email and are typically provided at least one weeks' notice prior to the scheduled interview date. 
• Applicants who are not invited to interview will be notified by email. 
• Remote interviews may be available for candidates unable to participate in person. Remote interviews are held through an online meeting platform such as Microsoft Teams. 
• Applicants who pass the interview process may be invited back for a second interview with the department leads or for a walking interview through the department. 
• Applicants who did not pass the initial recruitment process will be notified by email.

Salary : $128,753 - $160,906