Superintendent of Water Treatment

JOB SUMMARY:

The Superintendent of Water Treatment directs and coordinates activities of workers engaged in operating three water treatment facilities to ensure adequate water supply for human consumption, fire protection, industrial or agricultural use by performing the following duties personally or through subordinates. An employee in this position oversees and assists the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with the Forest and Wildlife Management of the Frederick City Watershed. The employee in this position will be required to carry a cell phone for departmental emergencies as well as be able to respond to emergencies as needed throughout the Department of Public Works. This is a 24 hour on call position. This position is considered "essential personnel" and must be able to respond to emergencies outside normal business hours as necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acquires and maintains knowledge and ensures compliance with standards and regulations set by the Maryland Department of the Environment and Environmental Protection Agency.
• Plans, schedules, and coordinates activities concerned with processing and delivering potable water.
• Assigns personnel to shifts to operate water treatment plant facilities.
• Determines action to be taken in event of emergencies such as machine, equipment, or power failure, or need to release dammed water to affect flood control.
• Reviews plans and specifications for new equipment or modification of existing equipment to provide increased operational capacity, safety, or efficiency.
• Supervises preparation, reviews and evaluates water reports, records, logs, and graphs to confirm adequacy and quality of present and projected water needs.
• Prepares and submits annual department budget requests and accompanying justification reports. Supervises and controls the expenditures of the Water Treatment Plants budget.
• Recommends and approves specifications for supplies, materials and equipment to be used by individuals under their supervision and by contractors of the City.
• Supervises, instructs, trains, and ensures compliance with operating theory, practices, policies and safety standards.
• Maintains payroll, leave records and authorizes leave requests.

• Plans and coordinates equipment and manpower needs that involve other City departments, governmental agencies, private contractors and other groups.
• Develops and enforces departmental policies. Administers discipline per City policy.
• Monitors employee compliance with safety policies, ensures that personal protective equipment is available for employees, and completes accident investigations.
• Prepares employee development strategies based on new technology or equipment and individual work experience.
• Supervises the proper assignment, maintenance and repair of the equipment to ensure optimum utilization.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City officials, co-workers, venders and the general public, as well as employees of utilities and other agencies whose business is related to the production of potable water.
• Answers telephone and/or communicates information to venders, other departments, and the general public. Must communicate in a courteous and effective manner.
• Performs written evaluations and reviews results with subordinates being evaluated.
• Operates a vehicle observing legal and defensive driving practices on a regular basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Through an Assistant Superintendent, manages the daily activities of employees at City operated Water Treatment Plants.
• Oversees and assists the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with the Forest and Wildlife Management of the Frederick City Watershed.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; developing employees' work schedules, evaluating employee performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years of college courses in science, engineering or management leading toward a degree and four (4) years of experience with a Class IV Operators certificate or a combination of experience and educations that meets the minimum requirements for a Water Treatment Superintendents License as set forth by the State of Maryland Department of the Environment.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES:

• Vehicle Operator's license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City's insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.

• Maryland Class IV Water Treatment Operator's License.
• Maryland Class IV Water Treatment Superintendent License or ability to obtain in twelve (12) months.

REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.):

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from elected officials, groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Must be able to lead tours of the water treatment plants clearly explaining the water process in layman's terms.
• Must possess an intermediate level of computer knowledge in using Microsoft Office applications, including and not limited to MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access. The general ability to use computers in a "Windows" environment and learn various software programs.
• Ability to solve math problems, calculate figures, decimals, fractions, percent, averages, conversions and solve for unknown values.
• Must possess the ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry such as linear, area and volume measurements.
• Must be able to solve mathematical word problems and set up and solve difficult water formulas.

• Ability to define and solve problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: 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.