Water Treatment Plant Chief Operator chez City of Tuscaloosa, AL

About the Department

The purpose of this classification is to under general direction, plan, coordinate, direct and implement operational and maintenance functions of the City’s Water Treatment Plants and related facilities to ensure compliance with all Federal and State regulations.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this classification.  The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.   Other duties may be required and assigned.  Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Ensures supervisors and staff are aware of and follow all City safety policies and procedures. Ensures supervisors and staff have the proper personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate job hazards. Consults with Safety Director to ensure proper safety training is provided to supervisors and staff.  

Supervises, directs, disciplines, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining and completing employee performance appraisals.

Supervises and assists in the operation, maintenance and repair of water treatment plant facilities/equipment and monitors water treatment operations/processes per established procedures to optimize efficiency.

Assists in performing a variety of water treatment quality control tests to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations; makes adjustments; trains water treatment operations personnel as required.

Plans, prioritizes, directs and performs operations and maintenance activities of the water treatment plants, water tanks, water booster stations, and other related facilities.

Establishes work schedules, priorities and assigns the work of the water treatment plant operations and maintenance staff.

Coordinates the work of the water treatment plant operations staff with that of the water treatment plant maintenance and laboratory staff; ensures a positive and cooperative work interaction between water treatment plant operations, other Infrastructure and Public Services divisions, and other City departments.

Conducts ongoing facility and treatment process assessments; monitors treatment processes and establishes and adjusts treatment process operating parameters to meet operational needs.

Oversees all aspects of facility operations including but not limited to, proper housekeeping and grounds keeping, process control and monitoring, facility record keeping, etc.

Participates in the budget process; reviews and provides input on facility operating budget and capital improvement projects; provides recommendations for reducing water treatment plant operating budget.

Communicates all facts essential to the efficient operation of the water treatment plants and reports all operating problems or emergencies immediately to the Water Treatment Plant Operations Manager.

Recognizes training needs of water treatment plant staff; provides training and training opportunities in work and safety procedures as required; complies with and enforces all city and OSHA safety regulations and requirements.

Coordinates and conducts educational and public awareness tours of the water treatment plants for local civic, school, and other interested parties.

Takes a lead role in the handling of customer questions, complaints, and follow up action.

Develops plans for emergency situations, specifically: water shortages, service disruptions, or potential shutdowns due to inclement weather or emergency maintenance work.

Maintains/monitors inventory of departmental chemicals, supplies and equipment; initiates/approves requests for new or replacement materials.

Prepares daily, monthly, and/or other production operations and maintenance reports as required.

Monitors and inspects plant equipment and operations for safety, maintenance and proper process operations.

Processes documentation pertaining to payroll and personnel; completes, reviews, approves and/or forwards; maintains records.

Prepares and/or completes correspondence, forms, reports, logs, and charts; forwards or maintains.

Receives reports, forms, correspondence, charts, and invoices; reviews, processes or forwards; maintains documentation for reference.

Reads and interprets blueprints, plans, drawings, and maps.

Consults with supervisors, officials, and other agency officials to review departmental operations, discuss problems, coordinate activities, provide technical expertise, and receive advice/direction.

Responds to water treatment emergencies, which could happen 24 hours, 7 days a week, as necessary.

Attends meetings and serves on committees.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required, with specialty training in Water Treatment, Biology, Chemistry, Mechanics or related field; five years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, water resources engineering, water treatment plant operations, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.  Must possess and maintain a valid Grade IV Water Treatment Plant Operator License in the state of Alabama or must apply for the Alabama reciprocal equivalent within thirty (30) days of hire and obtain the Alabama license within ninety (90) days of hire. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. This job classification is considered to be safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug screens.

Other Qualifications

The following requirements are normal for this classification.  Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:   Must be able to operate a variety of mechanical, electrical, diagnostic, plumbing and automated office equipment including meters, gauges, pumps, dump truck, tractor, drill press, shovel, mechanic tools, plumber’s tools, etc.  Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for moderate work.

DATA COMPREHENSION:   Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include forms, reports, blueprints, reference materials, procedural manuals, and operational manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION:   Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, personnel, legal, and water utility-related information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:   Requires ability to read a variety of civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, legal, and water utility-related documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.   Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

INTELLIGENCE:   Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex mechanical, technical, and water utility-related principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE:   Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE:  Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, multiply and divide totals, determine percentages, determine time and weight, interpret statistical data, and utilize algebraic formulas.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE:   Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment that may include testing kits and standard measuring devices.

MOTOR COORDINATION:   Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using mechanics, plumbing and diagnostic equipment and to operate motor vehicles.

MANUAL DEXTERITY:   Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and grounds maintenance equipment, control knobs, switches, meters, gauges, pumps, dump truck, drill press, etc.  Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities.  Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION:   Requires the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT:  Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be able to adapt to and perform under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION:   Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.