3B59
WATER PLANT ASSISTANT MANAGER

This is environmental engineering work at the second supervisory level with responsibility for managing a water pollution control or water treatment engineering program, through a diverse staff of subordinate technical supervisors. The employees serve as assistant plant manager for a water pollution control or water treatment plant. Work involves establishing quality assurance methods and developing and revising operational procedures for environmental engineering programs. Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and coordination of activities with other departmental and external governmental agencies are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of a higher level engineering manager.

• The position must supervise a diverse staff of professional, trades and clerical employees through subordinate supervisors.
• The position must report to a Sanitary Engineer IV (Plant Manager).
• Only one position will be approved for a water pollution control or water treatment plant.

Directs through subordinate supervisors the activities of subordinate engineers and/or technical, laboratory, operational and maintenance personnel engaged in performing water or wastewater plant operations.

Directs and/or participates in research projects to evaluate new treatment processes; reviews technical reports prepared by subordinate employees, engineering consultants, researchers, and process control laboratory technicians; determines the feasibility of implementing new methods or automation practices to optimize process performance; makes recommendations regarding changes in plant design or processes; implements treatment process design and operational modifications; participates in plant security assessments and the implementation of security enhancements; participates in administrative and financial analysis of department operations; prepares aspects of operating budget requests for program

Assigns programs, projects and tasks to subordinate engineers and technical, laboratory, operational or maintenance personnel; reviews reports prepared by subordinates; tours various sites and facilities to review subordinates' activities; provides engineering, hazardous material response, and process control supervision and guidance; develops goals and schedules for subordinates; determines appropriate productivity standards for subordinate employees and measures staff performance accordingly; ensures the training of subordinates in new and innovative methods and techniques; selects subordinate personnel; initiates and reviews disciplinary actions; acts as a reviewing officer for performance evaluations prepared by subordinate supervisors.

Prepares water quality process control and operational procedures to comply with local, state and federal requirements; prepares emergency response plan to comply with local, state and federal requirements; revises procedures as necessary.

Assists in the preparation of recommendations of capital needs; proposes process changes; troubleshoots start-up of new installations; ensures compliance with consent decrees and other regulatory mandates; prepares reports for regulatory agencies and supervisory review; meets with contractors to discuss activity, progress and problems; ensures contracted work is completed properly in conformance with requirements.

Works towards the resolution of labor relations problems; receives and reviews employee grievances and confers with union officials to discuss corrective measures; attends disciplinary hearings and determines final course of action.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
• Environmental engineering principles and practices
• Principles and practices of biology and analytical water and wastewater chemistry
• Water pollution control and water treatment plant operations design, processes, security practices, equipment and facilities including equipment maintenance systems utilizing computer-based maintenance management software.
• Water pollution control and water treatment plant OSHA safety and response practices covering the accidental release and clean-up of hazardous materials.
• Industrial waste control laws, practices and procedures including those pertaining to hazardous materials.
• Engineering computer systems including process control systems, data communications and related software.
• Water hydraulics and piping systems;
• Principles, practices and regulations related to backflow prevention.
• Current federal and state rules, regulations and standards applicable to the management of a wastewater or water treatment plant.
• The equipment and operations used in the processes for treating wastewater in a water pollution control plant if required by work assignment.
• The chemical and physical processes used in the treatment of wastewater in a water pollution control plant if required by work assignment.
• The procedures and methods used in computerized information management.
• Preparing cost estimates and forecasts.
• The principles and techniques of conflict resolution.
• Supervisory methods and techniques.
• Scheduling system methods and techniques.
• Principles and practices of labor relations as applied to a large, diversified labor and trades work force.
SKILL IN:
• Effectively delegating assignments in consideration of organizational structure and staff abilities.
• Problem-solving among organizational levels to achieve mutual objectives.
• Communicating operational strategies and objectives to employees to achieve implementation of goals.
ABILITY TO:
• Direct, supervise and coordinate the activities of a multi-disciplined staff, comprised of engineers, technical, laboratory, operational and maintenance personnel.
• Evaluate and analyze existing engineering programs, systems, and processes to determine if objectives are being met and federal, state and local regulations are being adhered to.
• Make sound engineering recommendations as a result of analytical studies.
• Interpret and apply federal, state and local engineering regulations applicable to the engineering area under review.
• Develop or modify engineering programs, systems and processes as alternatives or supplements to existing ones.
• Confer and work with engineering associates in other engineering disciplines, to investigate and resolve engineering problems and recommend and develop new programs.
• Prepare comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Evaluate, troubleshoot and resolve engineering, scientific and administrative problems.
• Direct and coordinate a process control laboratory using modern scientific and administrative methods and techniques, if required by work assignment.
• Evaluate, monitor and analyze data from programs, processes and activities to take the appropriate actions to achieve desired performance goals;
• Determine quality assurance parameters.
• Train subordinates.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, consultants, government and regulatory agencies and the general public.

EDUCATION

Successful completion of a bachelor's degree program in sanitary, civil, chemical, electrical, environmental or mechanical engineering from an accredited college or university.

AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:

Two years of engineering experience.

AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of engineering experience at the full performance level and one year of supervisory level engineering experience in a water or wastewater treatment plant operation.

OR


Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department that has included the education and specific experience described above.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Water Plant Assistant Manager if required by work assignment.

Possession of a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, State Board for Certification of Water and Wastewater Systems Operators Operator-in-Training status, or the possession of a Class A license for Water and Wastewater Systems Operators, within one year of appointment and during tenure of employment, if required by work assignment