Plant Engineering Program Manager

Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant
Cuyahoga Heights, OH, USA

JOB SUMMARY

Oversees the Plant Engineering Group, leading the execution of engineering initiatives in collaboration with other departments to strengthen plant performance, asset reliability, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Identifies and evaluates improvement opportunities, drives cross-departmental integration and ensures the successful implementation of continuous improvement efforts. Provides leadership and coordination to align engineering solutions with operational needs and organizational goals. Performs other related duties of a similar nature as required.

• Leads efforts to identify problems and vulnerability in the reliability of treatment plant systems, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control equipment. Leads efforts to analyze and enhance performance of treatment processes such as primary, secondary, disinfection, biosolids handling and odor control systems and delivers a return on investment. Oversees the development and use of wastewater and hydraulic models to support plant system operation and reliability improvements.
• Administers the application of asset management and long-term infrastructure renewal strategies. Provides direction and oversight on troubleshooting and root‑cause analyses for process upsets, operational inefficiencies and equipment failures in support of plant system operation. Provides technical assistance in the development of preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize key equipment uptime and extend asset life. Oversees and performs cost‑benefit evaluations for equipment upgrades, process improvements and energy efficiency initiatives.
• Provides direction and oversight for the planning, scoping and management of minor capital improvement projects from concept through design, construction, commissioning and turnover for projects managed by Plant Engineering. Coordinates with consultants, contractors and internal stakeholders to ensure Plant Engineering managed minor capital projects meet technical, financial and regulatory requirements. Provides technical assistance with specification development for goods and service contracts that support plant system operation.
• Coordinates with Engineering & Construction (E&C) and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) departments to ensure needed capital improvements are identified and nominated as part of the annual capital improvement planning process. Participates in the validation of identified capital improvement needs and the prioritization of capital improvement projects.
• Supports O&M management in the development and refinement of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Collaborates with leadership to identify and implement process improvements and automation enhancements that increase efficiency and provide plant staff with timely operational data to support informed decision‑making.
• Collaborates with other departments to evaluate new treatment strategies to support compliance with existing and future National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements. Provides technical support and analysis to support utility resilience and sustainability such as energy recovery, nutrient removal optimization, biosolids beneficial reuse and greenhouse gas reduction.
• Sets strategic direction for the Plant Engineering group in alignment with the Sewer District’s goals and objectives. Develops, tracks and reports on performance metrics, evaluating progress toward established goals. Presents technical information, project updates and performance results to senior leadership and regulatory agencies.
• Supervises, directs and motivates staff to achieve high productivity, strong performance and positive morale. Conducts performance evaluations, develops staff development plans and provides individualized training, coaching and mentoring. Responsible for hiring, training and administering corrective actions as needed. Fosters teamwork, promotes a positive work environment and encourages collaboration between Plant Engineering and other departments while reinforcing accountability and the…