Position Summary/Purpose:
The Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment Plant provides strategic and operational leadership for the Town’s wastewater treatment plant, collection system, pump stations, and related infrastructure. This role is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant wastewater operations that meet all local, state, and federal regulatory requirements to operate a Class IV Plant.
The Superintendent oversees plant operations, maintenance, capital improvements, regulatory compliance, budgeting, staff management, and public and agency coordination. This position requires strong technical expertise, leadership skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure systems and regulatory programs.
Essential Job Functions:
(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)
Operations & System Management
- Direct and oversee daily operations of the wastewater treatment plant, sewer collection systems, and lift/pump stations.
- Ensure wastewater treatment processes meet all applicable environmental, operational, and permit requirements.
- Develop and oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for plant equipment and infrastructure.
- Monitor system performance and implement operational improvements to increase efficiency, reliability, and service quality.
- Oversee laboratory testing and analysis of wastewater, sludge, and effluent tomaintainregulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
- Conduct regular inspections of facilities, equipment, pump stations, and collection systems.
Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Stewardship
- Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal environmental regulations, permits, and reporting requirements.
- Maintain working relationships with regulatory agencies including the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Investigate system failures, environmental concerns, and operational issues, and coordinateappropriate correctiveactions.
- Support development and enforcement of wastewater-related ordinances, policies, and procedures.
- Participate in planning and review processes related to development projects, stormwater management, and wastewater infrastructure impacts.
Capital Projects, Contracts & Procurement
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee construction, repair, replacement, and infrastructure improvement projects.
- Prepare and review bid specifications, contracts, and technical documentation.
- Manage procurement activities for equipment, supplies, and services.
- Serve as contract administrator for wastewater-related projects and vendor agreements.
- Coordinate with engineers, consultants, contractors, and Town departments on special projects and system improvements.
Leadership & Staff Management
- Supervise and support wastewater treatment plant personnel, including operations, maintenance, laboratory, electrical, mechanical, and administrative staff.
- Establish work priorities, assign responsibilities,monitorperformance, and provide coaching and development opportunities.
- Participate in hiring, disciplinary actions, performance management, and workforce planning in coordination with Human Resources.
- Promote a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with workplace safety standards and safe operating practices.
Budgeting & Administration
- Develop and manage the department’s operating and capital budgets.
- Monitor expenditures and ensure fiscal responsibility within approved budget limits.
- Approve invoices, track financial activity, andmaintainoperational records and reporting systems.
- Prepare and present reports, recommendations, and budget information to Town officials, boards, and regulatory agencies.
- Serve as staff liaison to the Sewer Authority and attend related meetings asrequired.
- Will berequiredto attend occasional night meetings.
Customer & Community Relations
- Respond to resident, contractor, and business inquiriesregardingwastewater operations, service interruptions, system issues, and regulatory requirements.
- Communicate effectively with the public, Town officials, consultants, contractors, and outside agencies.
- Providetechnical guidance and explain regulations, procedures, and operational impacts in a professional and customer-focused manner.
Other Functions:
- Performs similar or related work asrequired, directed or as situation dictates.
- Continue professional development; keeping current with trends.
- Assistsother department staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public.
Supervision:
Supervision Scope: Performs varied and responsible technical, administrative, management and supervisory responsibilities requiring a strong knowledge of wastewater regulations and state/federal statutes, and various contract management responsibilities, and a substantial exercise of judgment and initiative to effectively and efficiently accomplish implementation of wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the First Selectman and Sewer Authority following professional standards, procedures and policies.
Supervision Given: Supervises wastewater treatment plant and collection system staff, lab technician, mechanic and electrician, administrative staff person, developing job direction, assigning tasks, providing instructions as needed and monitoring performance.
Minimum Required Qualifications:
Education, Training and Experience:
- Associate’s Degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Wastewater Technology, or a related field, and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater operations, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience within a public utilities or municipal utility environment;or
- Preferred:Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or a related field, and a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater operations, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience within a public utilities or municipal utility environment.
- Experience working with regulatory agencies, consulting firms, contractors, and compliance programs in a publicutilitiesenvironment preferred.
- Experience supervising staff in a unionized environment preferred.
- An equivalent combination of education, certifications, anddirectly relatedexperiencedemonstratingthe ability to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of the position may be considered in lieu of the stated education and experience requirements.
- Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal wastewater and utility safety regulations, operational standards, and industry best practicesrequired.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the preparation and presentation of technical reports.
- Strong analytical, research, problem-solving, and independent decision-making skillsrequired.
- Ability to analyze and compile technical and statistical data and work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
- Strong customer service and collaborative leadership skillsrequired.
- Proficiencywith Microsoft Office and other administrative software systemsrequired, including the ability to learn andutilizespecialized public utilities software applications.
- Criminal background check, drug screening, and driving record check required prior to employment.
Special Requirements:
- Valid CT Driver’s license
- Connecticut DEPWastewaterTreatment OperatorCertificateClass IIIRequired;aClass IV ispreferred,and the selected candidate must obtain it within atime frameto bedeterminedat the time of hire.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge Of
- Wastewater treatment plant operations and collection systems
- Environmental regulations, permits, and compliance requirements
- Mechanical systems, pumps, motors, and treatment equipment
- Budgeting, procurement, and contract administration
- Sewer construction and infrastructure maintenance
- Supervisory and personnel management practices
Ability To
- Interpret and apply technical regulations, policies, and operational standards
- Analyze operational data and implement process improvements
- Prepare technical reports, budgets, and presentations
- Lead teams effectively and manage multiple priorities
- Build productive relationships with employees, regulators, contractors, and the public
- Respond effectively to emergencies and operational issues
Technical Proficiency
- Demonstrated technical aptitude and ability to effectively use operational and administrative technologies, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), regulatory reporting platforms, spreadsheets, databases, and other software used for operational monitoring, reporting, budgeting, and compliance documentation.
- Ability to analyze operational data, generate reports,maintainelectronic records, and adapt to evolving technologies and reporting requirements.
Skills
- Strong leadership and decision-making abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong computer and technical reporting skills, includingproficiencywith spreadsheets, databases, and operational software systems
- Organizational and project management skills
- Ability to manage complex operations with attention to detail and regulatory compliance
- Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization and with the public
Job Environment:
Administrative work is performed in a moderately noisy office with regular interruptions during the day via telephone; perform regular inspections of Treatment Plant, pump stations, and construction sites which include very loud situation under possible adverse weather conditions, including extreme hot and cold and smelly location and exposed to mechanical equipment and vehicles; occasionally driving to inspect complaints from citizens.
Requires the operation of a motor vehicle, cellular and other telephones, personal computers, copiers, facsimile machines, and other standard office equipment.
Makes frequent contact with Sewer Authority, contractors, property owners, business, public officials, engineers, vendors, engineers, Town Attorney, Town staff, Town Officials other towns, many regional and state agencies. Communication is frequently in person, by telephone, fax, email, and in writing. Contacts require a high level of professionalism and a high level of patience and resourcefulness to explain regulations to others.
Errors in judgment or omissions could result in monetary loss, loss of service, injury to employees, damage to equipment and facilities, legal ramifications and potential liability
