Operations superintendent

Location

San Mateo, CA | United States

Job description

The Public Works Department is seeking a WWTP Operations Superintendent.

Why Join Our Department?

The Public Works Department’s Environmental Services Division (ESD) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City’s 15.7 million gallon per day (MGD) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP is currently a traditional activated sludge facility but will transition to a Biological Nutrient Removal/Membrane Bioreactor facility that will come online in July of 2024. The WWTP serves a population of more than 140,000 with an annual operating budget in excess of $16 million and has a staff of 39 professional and technical personnel. Upgrades currently in progress to the WWTP include new liquids treatment process facilities consisting of new headworks, primary treatment, and biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactor (BNR/MBR) process. When you join the Public Works Department, you will work among collaborative and energetic colleagues who share a passion for serving our San Mateo citizens and improving the community in which we live and work. Our team is comprised of individuals with diverse talents and experience in various fields. We will provide you with a wide range of opportunities in a team-based collaborative environment while helping you achieve your professional goals.

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work:

What You’ll Do

The WWTP Operations Superintendent may assign, supervise, manage and review the work of the operations staff of the City's wastewater quality control and processing plant using existing wastewater treatment processes, including primary treatment, biological oxidation processes, physical and chemical clarification, solids dewatering, sludge digestion, secondary treatment, membrane filtration and disinfection; and to do related work as required . Some of the duties of this position may include, but are not limited to:

• Act as and performs the duties of the designated Chief Plant Operator (CPO), and direct the activities of a Grade V wastewater treatment plant.
• Develop and implement goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for the operation of the plant; implement policies and procedures.
• Assign, schedule and supervise employees in the operation of the treatment plant. Respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
• Maintain surveillance of the operating efficiency of wastewater treatment processes, including primary treatment, biological oxidation processes, secondary treatment, filtration, solids dewatering, sludge digestion, and effluent disinfection.
• Assist in Operations Branch budget development and implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administer the approved budget.
• Maintain records and prepare reports regarding the operation of a Grade V wastewater plant and quality of the effluent; monitor monthly reports to regulatory agencies.
• Recommend methods of correction of plant upsets and improving plant efficiency.
• Coordinate plant operations activities with the plant laboratory and maintenance personnel to ensure the proper and efficient total functioning of plant equipment and wastewater quality control systems.
• Ensure the Operations Department has an effective safety program.
• Assist in selecting, training, motivating and evaluating operations personnel; Maintain Morale; participate in establishing and monitoring employee performance objectives; prepare and present employee performance reviews; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; recommend employee terminations.
• Prepare specifications for materials, supplies and contractual services including administrative Reports and Agreements for procurement of these materials, supplies and services in accordance with City purchasing policy.
• Prepare staff reports for presentation to the City Council, Public Works Commission, City Manager or Public Works Director.
• Review and approve request for proposal for the purchase of plant materials and supplies. Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with work flow processes.
• Make critical decisions to resolve emergency conditions resulting from wastewater treatment system malfunctions, upsets or poisonings.
• Ensure operations staff participation in Plant Capital Improvement Projects planning.
• Coordinate operational activities with contractors of plant construction projects to ensure continuous plant operations.
• Actively and collaboratively develop and implement long term strategic organizational and process planning for the WWTP Operations Branch.
• Ensure appropriate communications at all levels of plant operations, including coordination with Plant Maintenance Superintendent, Laboratory Supervisor and regularly scheduled operations meetings.
• May oversee Plant management functions in the absence of Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

The WWTP Operations Superintendent receives general direction from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, or higher-level department personnel and may exercise direct supervision over operations staff, including Shift Supervisors, Operators, Operators-in-Training, and other professional and technical staff as may be required.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at c

Who You Are

• Thorough knowledge of operations of a Grade V wastewater treatment plant and good working knowledge of plant maintenance and laboratory functions.
• Sewage treatment processes, chemical and bacteriological sewage characteristics, and standard methods of sampling and analyses of water and sewage.
• Automated equipment associated with treatment operations.
• Hydraulics, measuring devices, pumps, and wastewater related equipment.
• Occupational hazard correction and standard safety precautions necessary in a wastewater treatment plant.
• Basic engineering principles and practices as they relate to wastewater treatment. Budgeting principles and techniques.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation. Membrane Bioreactor Experience desirable.

What You Bring

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that would provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be :

• Four years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations, including two years supervisory experience.
• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized academic training in the areas of chemistry and biology and specialized training in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant.
• Possession of an active Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the State of California.

Bonus Points (highly desirable) :

• Resumé

ADA Special Requirement: Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Ability to work in a standard office environment with some ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, squat, stoop, reach crawl, twist, climb, and lift 25 pounds; some exposure to extreme noise, outdoors, electrical hazards, vibration, chemicals, dust, toxic waste, mechanical hazards, and explosive materials.

Are You Ready? Apply.

Go to: to complete an on-line employment application packet. All applicants must submit a completed official City of San Mateo employment application and supplemental questionnaire. You may also mail a complete application package to the Human Resources Department, City of San Mateo, 330 W. 20 th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, (650) 522-7260. ​​​​​​​

Application Deadline

This recruitment will close by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024 .

Examination Process

All applications and responses to supplemental questionnaires received will be reviewed for minimum qualifications. A fully completed application is required; a resume does not replace the information required on the employment application, including work history. Applications with "see résumé" as a substitution for the work experience description, those with none or unclear current/past employment information, or those with insufficient information to evaluate possession of minimum qualifications will not be considered; missing information cannot be assumed. A limited number of the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the examination process, which may consist of an oral panel interview, written exercise, or in the form of a practical demonstration of skill and ability, or any combination of these. A Zoom oral panel interview is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 18, 2024 .

An employment list will be established for those who pass the examination process. Current and future vacancies may be filled from this list. This list may also be used by other departments that have this classification. The list will remain in effect for at least six months with the possibility of an extension for an additional six months. Once placed on an employment list, and at the time a vacancy occurs, eligible candidates may be contacted by Department(s) and scheduled for additional departmental interviews.

Date Posted : March 4, 2024

Note: The City of San Mateo reserves the right, at its discretion, to limit the number of qualified candidates invited to the selection process. ALL RESPONSES WILL BE CONDUCTED VIA THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED IN YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide an email address to which you have access, and it is recommended that you frequently check your email for notices from: [email protected]

Fine Print

Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, including a driving record review, reference check, and Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment. The policy of the City of San Mateo is to grant equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual preference, marital status, or national origin. It is the intent and desire of the City of San Mateo that equal employment opportunity will be provided in recruiting, hiring, training, promoting, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, applicants requiring accommodations for any part of the testing or recruitment process must notify [email protected] or (650) 522-7264 seven (7) days in advance of the deadline for the part of the process requiring accommodations. Do not upload any documents related to your request for accommodation in CalOpps. The City of San Mateo complies with employment provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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