United States Job Openings

City of Portsmouth

Water Treatment Plant Operator Superintendent

Portsmouth

FULL TIME

November 29, 2024

General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

Under general supervision, this position performs supervisory work in the operation and management of the water treatment plant and staff members. Reports to the Water Treatment Plant Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Assigns, directs, and supervises the work activities of Treatment Plant Operators; ensures adherence to established policies, plant safety measures, procedures and standards; provides assistance and advises subordinates, as necessary; develops standards used in testing; performs test to evaluate and adjust chemical addition; collects watershed data through observation of wells and water depths; reviews preventive maintenance procedures; and works as an Operator in the absence of staff.

Responsible for the effective supervision and administration to include budget preparation and monitoring inventory and expenditures for chemicals used in the water treatment plant; staff development, accountability, training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, and prioritizing and assigning work and related activities.

Establishes systems for ensuring city and departmental personnel policies, and procedures and are appropriately administered; prepares and presents standard operating procedures for various equipment used in the treatment process; prepares the plant operating manual; and serves as the Plant Safety Officer.

Develops reports; maintains plant operation data base; produces State regulated monthly, weekly, and daily operating and pumpage reports; evaluates and produces reports utilizing data from special projects or studies at the facility; and complies with all regulations and guidelines of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) governing the Department of Public Utilities.

Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of Work: Has thorough knowledge of the operating principles and practices and the maintenance requirements of water treatment plant equipment and machinery. Has thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions associated with water plant and related activities. Has considerable knowledge of chemistry as applied to water treatment. Has considerable knowledge of water testing procedures. Has considerable knowledge of standard laboratory principles, techniques, terminology and equipment. Has considerable knowledge of administration and supervision of water treatment plant personnel. Is able to understand and follow specified operating and recording procedures. Is able to detect defects and to take appropriate action in the operation of water treatment equipment chemical feed systems and other related equipment. Is able to keep accurate records and prepare reports. Is able to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in contact with the general public. Is able to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts within department, and with co-workers and the general public.

Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under “Essential Job Functions.”

Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures. Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons within the department.

Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisors and staff for mutual and departmental benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all department employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the general public so as to maintain good will toward the department and project a good departmental image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, utilities customers, supervisor, professionals and the general public.

Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events.

Planning: Plans, directs and uses information effectively in order to enhance activities and production of the department. Knows and understands the expectations of the city regarding the activities of the department and works to see that these expectations are met. Designs and formulates ways, means and timing to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and the city. Within the constraints of city policy, formulates the appropriate strategy and tactics for achieving departmental and city objectives. Organizes, arranges and allocates manpower, financial and other designated resources in an efficient and effective way so as to achieve the goals and objectives of the department and city.

Organizing: Organizes work and that of subordinate staff well. Ensures that staff members know what results are expected of them and that they are regularly and appropriately informed of all city and department matters affecting them and/or of concern to them.

Staffing: Works with other city officials and management to select and recommend employment of personnel for the department who are qualified both technically and philosophically to meet the needs of the department and the city. Personally directs the development and training of department personnel in order to ensure that they are properly inducted, oriented and trained.

Leading: Provides a work environment which encourages clear and open communications. Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of the principles of effective leadership and how such principles are to be applied. Provides adequate feedback to staff so that they know whether their performance levels are satisfactory. Commends and rewards employees for outstanding performance yet does not hesitate to take disciplinary action when necessary. Exercises enthusiasm in influencing and guiding others toward the achievement of city goals and objectives.

Delegating: Assigns additional duties to staff as necessary and/or appropriate in order to meet department goals, enhance staff abilities, build confidence on the job and assist staff members in personal growth. Has confidence in staff to meet new or additional expectations.

Decision Making: Uses discretion and judgment in developing and implementing courses of action affecting the department. When a particular policy, procedure or strategy does not appear to be achieving the desired result, moves decisively and definitively to develop and implement alternatives.

Human Relations: Strives to develop and maintain good rapport with all staff members. Listens to and considers suggestions and complaints and responds appropriately. Maintains the respect and loyalty of staff.

Policy Implementation: Has a clear and comprehensive understanding of city policies regarding the department and city function. Adheres to those policies in the discharge of duties and responsibilities and ensures the same from subordinate staff.

Policy Formulation: Keeps abreast of changes in operating philosophies and policies of the city and continually reviews department policies in order to ensure that any changes in city philosophy or practice are appropriately incorporated. Also understands the relationship between operating policies and practices and department morale and performance. Works to see that established policies enhance same.

Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Biology, or a related field, and 6 - 9 years of experience in water treatment operations and 2 -3 years of supervisory or lead experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Certification as a Class I Waterworks Operator by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This position requires pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.

An acceptable general background check to include a local and state criminal history check.

A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.

Responsible for responding to emergency and non-routine calls on a 24-hour basis; the Licensed Operator has a designation as operator in “responsible charge.”

Continues professional education and obtains required number of contact hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) to maintain required operator licensure for each license renewal cycle.

Physical Demands

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements: M

Must be physically able to operate a variety of equipment, machinery and water treatment plant equipment including computer, two-way radio, pumps, motors, mechanical and plumbing tools, etc. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 75 pounds of force frequently, and/or 50 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are those for Heavy Work.

Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether like or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving instructions, assignments and/or directions to subordinates or assistants.

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, reports, records, forms, statistical summaries, policy manuals, etc. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, records, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagrammatic or schedule form.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages, including legal, medical and insurance terminology.

Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages; interpret graphs.

Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using automated office equipment.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Color Discrimination: Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color, sounds, odor, depth, and visual cues or signals.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal levels of stress when confronted with persons acting under stress.

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