Utilities Water Plant Chief Operator

The position serves as the Plant Manager's primary operational leader and works under the direction and guidance of the Plant Manager. The position is responsible for implementing the Plant Manager's operational priorities, providing day-to-day leadership to operations staff, and ensuring that established procedures, policies, and operational strategies are followed. The position is expected to use sound judgment and take appropriate action within established authority but will consult with and defer to the Plant Manager on significant operational, personnel, regulatory, financial, or process decisions.

The position is responsible for execution and leadership of daily operations, while the Plant Manager retains overall responsibility and authority for plant operations. The position does not independently establish plant-wide policies, change major treatment strategies, or make significant operational decisions outside their delegated authority without direction or approval from the Plant Manager.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Utilities Water Operations Treatment Manager
Direct Reports: May oversee Water Plant Operators

Thelistedexamplesofworkarenotintendedtobeall-inclusive.

Theymaybemodifiedwith additions, deletions, orchangesas necessary.

• Direct and oversee the daily operation of the water treatment plant and associated treatment processes.
• Maintain reliable plant operation while meeting production, water quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor treatment processes and make operational adjustments based on changing source-water conditions, demand, equipment performance, and water quality.
• Optimize chemical feed systems, coagulation, filtration, disinfection, ozone, corrosion control, sludge handling, dewatering, and other treatment processes.
• Promote steady-state plant operation and minimize unnecessary process fluctuations.
• Review SCADA trends, laboratory results, operational data, and field observations to identify developing issues and opportunities for process improvement.
• Troubleshoot operational problems and determine appropriate corrective actions using established procedures, sound water treatment principles, operational experience and data.
• Ensure appropriate operation during equipment failures, process upsets, power interruptions, emergencies, and other abnormal conditions.
• Maintain inventories of bulk chemicals and place orders as needed.

Regulatory Compliance and Water Quality

• Ensure plant operations comply with applicable federal, state, and local drinking-water regulations and permit requirements.
• Maintain required operating records, logs, sampling records, reports, and documentation.
• Monitor water quality parameters and investigate deviations from established operating targets.
• Coordinate required regulatory sampling and ensure samples are collected, handled, and submitted appropriately.
• Work with compliance personnel regarding water quality results, compliance requirements, and operational concerns.
• Maintain awareness of changes in drinking-water regulations and incorporate applicable requirements into plant operations.

Leadership and Staff Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, direction, and support to plant operators.
• Assign and prioritize operational duties to ensure adequate coverage and completion of required work.
• Assist with development and management of operator schedules, overtime, leave coverage, and on-call responsibilities, in addition to approving time sheets.
• Train and mentor operators at all certification levels.
• Promote development of operator knowledge and progression through state certification levels.
• Evaluate employee performance and provide constructive feedback and coaching.
• Establish expectations for safe, professional,…