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Description
SUMMARY
The Chief Operator is responsible for overseeing the daily activities and operation of several of the divisional wastewater facilities and collection systems, designated and modified as needed to meet the needs of the division. The Chief Operator is responsible for operating and maintaining the facilities to ensure an adequate quality of wastewater, meeting regulatory standards, is collected and produced within these systems.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Supervises the daily activities of the wastewater systems including the plant operations and processes, collection systems, personnel, and equipment to ensure that water of the required quality and quantity is produced.
- Directs all employees in the performance of their duties by:
- Outlining responsibilities and providing a work plan.
- Providing direct supervision of unfamiliar or complex operating and maintenance procedures.
- Ensuring that water quality and other test procedures are understood and followed.
- Ensuring that all required and process control sampling schedules are followed.
- Providing or arranging for training, guidance, and counseling.
- Establishing routine of operations meetings with supervised personnel and necessary staff trainings.
- Delegating responsibilities commensurate with the employees’ skill level and maturity.
- Making recommendations to the Division Manager on hiring, employee performance, and salary adjustments. Evaluating performance by meeting individually with supervised personnel at least once per year.
- Check treatment and pumping facilities and pipelines daily to assure that all areas of the system are producing water within permitted limits.
- Ensure that pumping facilities and pipelines are checked daily to assure that wastewater is flowing properly.
- Safeguard all pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, tools and equipment and other GBRA property. Inspect or direct the inspection of facilities on a daily basis in accordance with the GBRA security policy.
- Implement the maintenance of facilities and equipment of the wastewater systems, as approved by the Division Manager. These shall include pumps and motors, piping, compressors, storage tanks, probes, cathodic protection, tools, rolling stock, trencher, backhoe, valves and air conditioners.
- Assist in budgeted and/or required work. Record all maintenance activities in the asset management program.
- Monitor the SCADA master control panel and its supervisory controls to determine problems or status. Perform very basic trouble shooting and report problems to the Division Manager.
- Respond quickly to wastewater collection and/or treatment plant emergencies and outages, at any time of day or night as needed.
- Prepare and submit required paperwork for the wastewater systems including regulatory reports, monthly reports, annual sampling data reports, and operation reports.
- Keep a working knowledge of GBRA’s mission and policies as they pertain to the wastewater systems.
- Perform all work in a safe and thoughtful manner. Protect job sites with proper signage and use required personal protective equipment. Be familiar with and follow the requirements of the GBRA Safety Manual.
- Processing invoices and stock orders for the Division Manager’s approval. Confirming all equipment and supplies are delivered to the final destination.
- Assisting the Division Manager in preparation of the annual budget and work plan.
- Keeping informed on treatment plant procedures through attending seminars and technical schools, review of publications, and dialogue with service representatives.
- Participate in TCEQ inspections; provide any requested information, data or documents.
- Serve as backup operator in relief of the other operations, including divisional water systems.
- Perform other specific duties as assigned.
Requirements
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES
- Operate a motor vehicle, tractor, backhoe, mowers, and forklift.
- Read blueprints and maps of moderate difficulty.
- Possess dexterity to operate a calculator and a hand-held computer for meter reading.
- Be familiar with basic computer software programs.
- Understand and use basic math functions and formulas.
- Possess learned skills to operate all kinds of hand tools, test equipment, and power tools.
- Have a high degree of patience, tact, and listening skills in dealing with the public.
- Communicate effectively with supervisor and peers to provide and obtain needed information and instructions.
EDUCATION
High School Diploma or G.E.D.
REGISTRATIONS/LICENSES
- Texas Driver’s License with acceptable M.V.R.
- “B” Wastewater license from the TCEQ.
- “C” Ground Water license from the TCEQ.
- Customer Service Inspector License from TCEQ within (1) year of assignment.
Experience
Must have at least 5 years of experience in wastewater and/or water field.
Special Requirements
Ability to work alternate weekends, shift work, act alone, and continuously exercise sound judgment and vigilance. Call outs are possible; be available during off-duty hours as coordinated with the Division Manager.
Live within 45 minutes driving time of the plant.
Managerial Responsibilities
Yes.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work at elevated levels greater than 50 feet on platforms, roofs, bridges, etc. Climb vertical ladders up to 20 feet in height. Repeatedly lift, load, and unload up to 50 pounds. Respond to visual and audible alarms. Wear personal protection equipment such as safety glasses, protective footwear, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as outlined in the employee Safety Manual. Safely enter, exit, and work in trenches and confined spaces. Perform basic first aid and CPR. Ability to work kneeling, standing and walk several miles in a day. Work 12 continuous hours day or night. Operate valve handles above the head. Carry loads of up to 25 lbs. for several hours in a day. Accurately interpret true color (such as in chemical titration, colorimetric determinations, and indicator lamps). Perform intricate tasks that require steady hands (such as weighing using tongs, titrating burets).
Employees must wear protective footwear in compliance with ANSI or ASTM standard. New employees are provided protective footwear. Replacement footwear is provided annually for qualifying employees.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Approximately 50 to 70 percent of work outdoors. Must be prepared to work any time day or night and in all types of weather. Work is performed in a typical utility service environment. The person in this position works with municipal wastewater products, bio-solids, hazardous chemicals and possible disease-causing bacteria.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
TRAVEL
Travel is primarily in the service area. Occasional out of town travel for training to maintain or upgrade certification is required.