PLANT OPERATIONS MANAGER (PERM/FT/BENEFITS) at Harford County Government Department of Public Works

Perryman, MD 21130

About the Job

Nature of Work

The Plant Operations Manager oversees the implementation, modification, and execution of the wastewater industrial monitoring and pretreatment program following County Code 256-56-105; Water and Sewer Regulations, Section 16 and 23, and County Enforcement Response Plan and 40 CFR 403. Additionally, the Plant Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring that the county is in compliance with all Federal, State, and local reporting and application deadlines for water, wastewater, and hazardous materials management; contractor compliance with major project specifications, and that the county is in full compliance with COMAR 26.04.06 and 40 CFR 503 regulations for biosolids. In addition, this position is responsible for the stormwater program, sampling, and reporting. This position includes supervision of Utility Workers (I, II, and III) positions at Sod Run, and assures their readiness to respond to emergencies in Operations.

Nature of operation requires an employee in this class to be available on a shift or on-call basis. Work requires knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods in commercial and industrial wastewater discharge processes. Normally the work week is M – F, however, work can be on a rotating shift basis including weekends on an as-needed basis to control the monitoring of industrial facilities and requires strict adherence to safety and observation techniques. An employee in this class may be required to be available on short notice for rain events, industrial spills, or other emergencies.

The focus of this position is primarily the Pretreatment program, Biosolids program, Stormwater program for WSO facilities, and supervision of Utility Workers.

Examples of Duties

(The following examples illustrate the work performed in the positions in the class. Positions may require some or all of these examples depending on the organization of work within the department. The list is not inclusive. A position may require duties not listed, if necessary, to accomplish the work of the department.)

Reviews and certifies the accuracy and reporting requirements to weekly, monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual EPA, MDE or local policies or ordinances regarding the Safe Drinking Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Sewage Sludge or Biosolids COMAR and CFR requirements, Clean Water Act, Pretreatment Delegation Agreement, Enforcement Response Plan, Risk Management Plan, SARA Title III and Hazardous Materials reporting and any other related environmental permitting and compliance issues.
Certifies and implements enforcement actions following County Code and EPA for review and signature of the Chief, Water/Sewer Operations.
Reviews and certifies the reporting, monitoring, and permit requirements of all industries or commercial enterprises discharging to the Harford County public sewer system.
Assure protocol and compliance with all duties and the County Code and Administration policies related to the pretreatment program.
Reviews, modifies, and executes the specifications required for the following major projects: which may include: laboratory monitoring services; sludge/biosolids application permit enforcement; contractor specifications and biosolids program (public liaison)
Maintains familiarity with the Operations Section of water and wastewater treatment and pumping systems and provides input for capital and O&M improvement programs at all sites.
Attends staff meetings with Operations Superintendents and Chief of Operations to ensure existing permit requirements are being met and new proposed regulations are presented for implementation or review.
Oversees the Pretreatment Program budget and coordinates related Procurement activities and bids. Assures the State and Federal mandates requiring full funding and staffing for the Pretreatment Program are met.
Personnel Management: Prepares daily routine and unanticipated job assignments. Authorizes overtime efficiently and maintains/distributes meal tickets. Approves or denies leave. Conducts meetings and safety training sessions. Directs Utility Workers with needed equipment to the sewage pump station, treatment plant, and other facilities to address malfunctions and emergencies. Completes confined space entry permits and incident reports. Maintains and boosts employee morale, work habits, and safety. Communicates via cell phones, landlines, radio, and email. Assists other County agencies as related reports to the position as directed
Maintains familiarity with the Sod Run and Joppatowne Treatment Plants including current NPDES permits, applicable standards, pollutant mass loadings, and flows.
Becomes certified in water and wastewater analysis sampling, knowledge of sampling pulling, preservation, storage, and chain of custody methods. This includes the operation of applicable grab and composite sampling equipment.
Reviews and interprets Industrial Discharge Surveys. Comments on responses and follow-up on unclear or incomplete surveys with respective industrial or commercial users. This also includes a Baseline Monitoring Report (BMR) review.
Modifies or improves Industrial Discharge Surveys and recommends these changes to the Superintendent. Follows up on modifications.
Develop a monitoring program for septic waste haulers including random sampling, off-site inspections, and training of haulers
Recommends or initiates enforcement actions on industrial and commercial users. This includes verbal and written warnings, notice of violations (NOVs), termination of sewer service, public notification, fines, or imprisonment.
May testify at court proceedings regarding County injunctive relief or industrial challenges.
May provide technical support to Hazardous Material cleanup crews as it pertains to industrial spills into the sewer.
Maintains effective, cooperative working relationships with the Environmental Protection Agency; Maryland Department of the Environment; Harford County Public Works, Law Department and Law Enforcement officials; industrial and commercial users, and the general public.
Supports various County contracts and obligations of the Plant Operations Manager or designee including laboratory monitoring and biosolids contracts.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of water/wastewater operations and the hazardous chemicals associated with treatment; of EPA and MDE NPDES Pretreatment and Biosolids Requirements.
Familiarity with water operations, and laboratory analyses.
Skill in Microsoft Office Suite, most notably Word, Excel, Access, and Outlook fundamentals.
Skill sampling techniques, safety procedures, and interpretation of laws and specifications
Ability to carry out County Pretreatment Ordinance
Ability to supervise and train others
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports
Ability to maintain a courteous and cooperative working relationship with others
Ability to climb, stoop, kneel, reach, lift, walk, and stand for prolonged periods of time.
The employee is subjected to atmospheric conditions, such as odors, noise, and inside/outside environmental conditions.
Work requires the use of a County vehicle while carrying out some assignments.

EDUCATION:

Two (2) year degree in Business/Finance/Management/Operations or other related field.

OR

Sixty (60) or more Continuing Education Unit credits in a water or wastewater-related field.

EXPERIENCE:

Five (5) years' experience in plant operations, three (3) of which was in a pretreatment program as an inspector, or equivalent

LICENSE:

Possession of a valid Class "C" non-commercial driver's license with no more than three (3) points. Please be advised this position requires a valid driver's license. Your application will not be considered if you fail to include the full driver's license number on the electronic application.

SAFETY:

Must comply with all Federal (OSHA), State of Maryland (MOSH) safety regulations and applicable Harford County safety policies, procedures, or manual as required for this position.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

The nature of operation requires the incumbent to be available on a shift or on-call basis
Employees may work with unpleasant odors and under varying environmental conditions including exposure to chemicals, raw water, wastewater, insects, etc.

Notes

Selected candidate will be subject to random drug and/or screening.
Additional education/experience substitutions may be granted at a rate of two (2) years of related experience per one (1) year of college education requirements.
Candidates using the education option must list credits on employment application, and must provide a copy of their transcripts.

Salary

60,620 - 90,000 /year