POSITION SUMMARY
The Director of Water Pollution Control provides executive, financial, and engineering leadership for the Town’s wastewater utility, including the Class IV wastewater treatment plant, sewer collection system, pump stations, and related infrastructure. The Director is responsible for the utility’s long-term planning, financial health, capital program, and regulatory standing, and ensures that the system is operated safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements. Working under the general direction of the First Selectman and in coordination with the Sewer Authority, the Director directly supervises the Operations Plant Manager, who holds the required State of Connecticut operator certification and directs day-to-day plant operations and process control, and the Collection Supervisor, who directs collection system and pump station operations. The position requires strong engineering and financial expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to manage complex infrastructure systems, regulatory programs, and capital projects.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership and Utility Management
- Provides overall direction for the wastewater utility, including the treatment plant, sewer collection system, and lift/pump stations.
- Oversees plant operations, maintenance, and laboratory programs through the Operations Plant Manager, ensuring adequate staffing, resources, and certified operator coverage as required by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP); oversees collection system and pump station operations and maintenance through the Collection Supervisor.
- Develops and maintains a long-range facilities plan, an asset management program (including collection system condition assessment and inflow/infiltration reduction), and a multi-year capital improvement plan.
- Establishes performance goals and measures; reviews operational, maintenance, and compliance data; and directs improvements in efficiency, reliability, energy use, and service quality.
- Evaluates treatment technologies, process upgrades, and infrastructure needs, including resiliency to flooding, storm events, and changing regulatory standards.
- Ensures the development and maintenance of emergency response, contingency, and continuity-of-operations plans.
Financial Management and Budgeting
- Develops, presents, and manages the utility’s operating and capital budgets.
- Prepares multi-year financial plans, sewer use rate and connection fee analyses, and funding recommendations for the Sewer Authority and Town officials.
- Monitors expenditures, approves invoices, and maintains sound fiscal controls within approved budget limits.
- Identifies and pursues grants, the Connecticut Clean Water Fund, and other state and federal funding and low-interest financing for capital projects.
- Prepares cost-benefit analyses, financial reports, and long-term cost projections to support decision-making.
Engineering, Capital Projects, Contracts and Procurement
- Plans, prioritizes, and oversees the design and construction of capital, repair, replacement, and infrastructure improvement projects.
- Selects, directs, and manages consulting engineers; reviews engineering studies, plans, specifications, and reports for technical soundness and cost-effectiveness.
- Prepares and reviews bid specifications, contracts, and technical documentation, and manages procurement of equipment, supplies, and services.
- Serves as contract administrator for wastewater-related projects and vendor agreements, including change orders, schedules, and project closeout.
- Reviews development applications and proposed connections for sewer capacity and system impacts, and coordinates with Engineering, Public Works, Planning and Zoning, and other Town departments.
Regulatory Compliance, Environmental Stewardship and Safety
- Holds overall accountability for compliance with the plant’s discharge permit and all local, state, and federal environmental regulations and reporting requirements.
- Maintains working relationships with regulatory agencies, including DEEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and represents the Town in permit renewals, inspections, and negotiations.
- Oversees investigation of system failures, environmental concerns, and operational issues, and ensures appropriate corrective actions.
- Develops and recommends wastewater-related ordinances, sewer use regulations, policies, and procedures, and oversees their enforcement.
- Promotes a culture of safety and ensures compliance with workplace safety standards and safe operating practices.
Leadership and Staff Management
- Supervises the Operations Plant Manager, the Collection Supervisor, and administrative staff and, through them, plant operations, maintenance, laboratory, electrical, mechanical, and collection system personnel.
- Establishes department priorities, assigns responsibilities, monitors performance, and provides coaching and development opportunities.
- Participates in hiring, discipline, performance management, and workforce planning in coordination with Human Resources, and administers applicable collective bargaining agreements.
- Supports operator training, certification, and succession planning to ensure the plant maintains qualified, certified staff.
- Promotes a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
Sewer Authority, Customer and Community Relations
- Serves as staff liaison to the Sewer Authority; prepares agendas, reports, and recommendations and attends meetings as required, including monthly evening meetings.
- Prepares and presents reports, budgets, and recommendations to Town officials, boards and commissions, and regulatory agencies.
- Responds to resident, contractor, and business inquiries regarding wastewater service, system issues, and regulatory requirements.
- Explains technical, financial, and regulatory matters clearly to the public, elected officials, and non-technical audiences in a professional, customer-focused manner.
Other Duties
- Performs similar or related work as required, directed, or as the situation dictates.
- Pursues continuing professional development and keeps current with industry trends, technologies, and regulations.
- Assists other department staff as needed to promote a team effort to serve the public.
SUPERVISION
Supervision Scope: Performs varied and responsible executive, engineering, financial, administrative, and supervisory work requiring strong knowledge of wastewater engineering, utility finance, wastewater regulations, state and federal statutes, and contract management, and a substantial exercise of judgment and initiative to manage the wastewater treatment plant and collection system effectively and efficiently.
Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the First Selectman and the Sewer Authority, following professional standards, procedures, and policies.
Supervision Given: Directly supervises the Operations Plant Manager, the Collection Supervisor, and administrative staff. Through the Operations Plant Manager, oversees wastewater treatment plant staff, including the laboratory technician, mechanic, and electrician; through the Collection Supervisor, oversees collection system and pump station staff. Sets department direction and priorities and monitors performance.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, and collection systems.
• Knowledge of civil and environmental engineering principles, design review, and construction management.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental and safety regulations, discharge permits, operational standards, and industry best practices.
• Knowledge of utility financial management, budgeting, rate setting, and capital financing.
• Knowledge of procurement, contract administration, and asset management practices.
• Knowledge of supervisory, personnel management, and labor relations practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply technical regulations, policies, and operational standards.
• Ability to develop and present budgets, financial plans, and rate recommendations to boards and elected officials.
• Ability to analyze engineering, operational, and financial data, make independent decisions, and implement improvements.
• Ability to lead teams effectively, including through subordinate managers, and manage multiple priorities and complex capital programs with attention to detail and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to build productive relationships with employees, regulators, consultants, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to respond effectively to emergencies and operational issues.
• Ability to communicate technical, financial, and regulatory information clearly, orally and in writing, including technical reports and public presentations to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), regulatory reporting platforms, financial and budgeting systems, Microsoft 365, spreadsheets, databases, and other software for operational monitoring, reporting, and compliance documentation, and to learn specialized utility software.
• Ability to review engineering drawings and GIS data (ArcGIS Pro), maintain electronic records, and adapt to evolving technologies and reporting requirements.
• Skill in leadership, decision-making, and collaborative team building.
• Skill in financial analysis, budgeting, and long-range planning.
• Skill in organization, research, problem solving, and project management.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and customer service.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering, or a closely related engineering field, and a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater or water utility engineering, operations, or management, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
Experience must include budget development, capital planning, and financial management; managing consultants, contractors, and construction projects; and working with regulatory agencies and compliance programs.
Preferred: Master’s degree in engineering, public administration, or business administration; experience in a municipal or public utility environment; experience in wastewater treatment plant design, upgrade, or operation; experience with utility rate setting and state or federal funding programs; and experience supervising staff in a unionized environment.
An equivalent combination of education, certifications, and directly related experience demonstrating the ability to successfully perform the essential responsibilities of the position may be considered in lieu of the stated education and experience requirements.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATIONS
- Valid Connecticut driver’s license.
- Preferred: Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE) license. Candidates holding a PE license from another state should be eligible to obtain Connecticut licensure. Candidates who have passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam may be considered, with PE licensure to be obtained within a time frame determined at the time of hire.
- Preferred: Connecticut DEEP Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification, Class III or Class IV. Certification is not required for this position; required certified operator coverage for the Class IV plant is provided by the Operations Plant Manager.
- Preferred: NIMS/ICS training (ICS-100, ICS-200, and IS-700), or completion within one year of hire.
- Criminal background check, drug screening, and driving record check required prior to employment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Frequency definitions: occasional = under 1/3 of the time; frequent = 1/3 to 2/3 of the time; constant = over 2/3 of the time.
• Physical activity: Constant sitting, talking, and hearing; frequent use of hands and fingers to handle or feel; standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching with hands and arms, bending, pulling, pushing, smelling, and driving.
• Lifting: Occasionally lifts up to 25 pounds. No lifting over 25 pounds is required.
• Vision: Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision and depth perception are required.
• Noise: Usually quiet to moderate (private office, computers, light traffic); occasionally loud to very loud (heavy equipment, plant machinery, jackhammer work).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Office setting: Administrative work is performed in an office with frequent interruptions by telephone and visitors.
Field conditions: Performs regular inspections of the treatment plant, pump stations, and construction sites, and occasionally drives to investigate resident complaints. Field work may involve loud noise and odorous locations, and occasional exposure to outdoor weather, extreme heat and cold, work in high or precarious places, with toxic or caustic chemicals, near moving mechanical parts, around fumes or airborne particles, and with risk of electrical shock.
Equipment: Operates a motor vehicle, cellular and office telephones, personal computers, copiers, and other standard office equipment.
Contacts: Has frequent contact with the Sewer Authority, Town officials and staff, the Town Attorney, consulting engineers, contractors, vendors, property owners, businesses, other towns, and regional, state, and federal agencies, in person, by telephone, by email, and in writing. Contacts require a high level of professionalism, patience, and resourcefulness to explain regulations, projects, and financial matters.
Consequence of error: Errors in judgment or omissions could result in monetary loss, loss of service, regulatory violations, injury to employees, damage to equipment and facilities, legal consequences, and liability for the Town.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It may not include all job duties, responsibilities, or qualifications and is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Duties and responsibilities may be revised, assigned, or modified at any time.
The Town of Branford is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
