Chief Operator -- Wastewater Treatment Plant

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The City of Bangor has an exciting career opportunity.  We are looking for the right candidate to become our next Chief Operator of the City of Bangor’s 18 MGD Grade V Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant, lift stations, combined sewer overflow structures, satellite community collection system lift stations, and other regulating structures. 

This is a highly technical and responsible position, requiring independent emergency decision-making ability. The incumbent must be thoroughly familiar with all phases of the operation,maintenance and monitoring of a Grade V Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant. 

The incumbent will carry out policies set by the City and the Director of Water Quality Management in the operation of these facilities and will be able to direct the workforce to attain regulatory requirements set by local, state and federal Agencies.

Some of the duties of this position include:

Oversees the 24/7/365 operation of the publicly owned Grade V Biological wastewater treatment plant, ensuring compliance with all discharge requirements set by state and federal regulation.

Maintains compliance while ensuring the most efficient and economical use of utilities, equipment, supplies and workforce.

Develops and updates operational and maintenance programs, standard operating procedures, which are unique to each facility, for all equipment and biological processes.

Manages assets through predictive, preventative and corrective maintenance and fiscal sustainability planning.

Manages the operational, mechanical, electrical and maintenance crews responsible for maintaining and operating the biological process.

Directs the solids handling and disposal staff in the dewatering of up to 200 tons of sludge per week, produced by the process at the plant.

Oversees and conducts training in the maintenance and operation of all the equipment and biological process control. Assures all other required training such as safety, license recertification and heavy equipment operation is accomplished.

Manages employee performance on a daily basis by both working with and assigning tasks.

Assists with conducting routine coaching of staff and semi-annual and annual performance evaluations.

Ensures employee development related to career path and succession planning.

Monitors and oversees maintenance of plant instrumentation and other equipment to analyze plant conditions.

Performs administrative functions including documentation and record retention.

Oversees the safety program for the wastewater treatment division, including maintenance of confined space permits, electrical safety, Safety Data Sheets, safety signage, machine guarding, safety inspections/checklists and protective equipment.

Oversees the operation of the programmable controllers and computer systems used at the treatment plant and satellite facilities.

Oversees the ordering of chemicals required for solids handling, process control and effluent disinfection for the treatment plant and the CSO facilities.

Oversees inventory of tools, parts and supplies necessary for uninterrupted operation.

Assists the Director in setting policy and goals with respect to the work to be performed at all facilities/structures.

Assists the Director with biological process control.

Assists the Director with asset management and preparing the operational budget and planning capital improvements.

Assists the Director with selection and sourcing of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment and materials to be used at the treatment plant and pump stations.

Partners with the Collection System Manager to schedule employee exchange, cross training and identify cross-departmental opportunities.

Collaborates with contractors/consultants during facility construction projects.

An ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and abilities:

Five years of related work experience in wastewater treatment plant operations.

Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 24 months, a Maine Grade 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators license.

Working knowledge of the principles and practices employed in planning, organizing and controlling the activities necessary for a Grade V Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant and associated facilities.

Working knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology related to wastewater treatment.

Working knowledge of operation and maintenance of pumps, valves and related mechanical and electrical equipment.

Knowledge and understanding of all applicable State and Federal laws pertaining to wastewater treatment plants and the discharge of treated wastewater into receiving waters.

Working knowledge of SCADA systems, programmable controllers, microcomputers, hardware requirements and the use of word processing, database and specialty software.

Ability to read and understand blueprints, electrical schematics, complex sketches and diagrams technical specifications and operation and maintenance manuals.

Ability to perform and evaluate wide-ranging arithmetic calculations.

Knowledge of laboratory sampling and analysis associated with the process control of the secondary treatment plant and the ability to interpret the results of the tests to control the biological process.

Ability to direct a workforce to accomplish simple as well as complex goals.

Thorough working knowledge of federal, state and local safety regulations concerning industrial working and industrial electrical environments.

Ability to work cooperatively and effectively communicate, orally and in writing, with Department of Water Quality staff as well as other City Departments, Federal and State officials, contractors, vendors, consultants and the public.

Ability to use safety equipment associated with this position.

Knowledge of chemical and biological testing of water quality.

Ability to respond to emergencies outside of normal business hours.

Possession of a valid Maine motor vehicle operator’s license.

The salary range for this position is $30.39 to $40.82 per hour (based on a 40-hour work week) and comes with a full-time benefit package.  Some highlights of City benefits include:

Making a positive impact on your local community and the environment

Working with a great team of seasoned professionals

A choice of health, dental, and vision insurance plans - including low-deductible health options with a City-paid portion of up to 80% on premiums

Great retirement plan with generous employer contribution 

100% paid long-term disability

Two weeks of vacation and three weeks of sick leave within first year of employment

Many others such as EAP, life insurance, Wellness incentives, etc.

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews may be conducted following application review.  A City application is required and available on the City’s website at:  www.bangormaine.gov/employ .  Resumes and accompanying materials can be submitted during the application process.  Questions can be directed to apply@bangormaine.gov.  Thank you for your interest and time in applying!

Equal Opportunity Employer