Senior Plant Operator - Wastewater

Under the direction of the Wastewater Treatment Manager, this position is responsible for providing on-site leadership, direction and technical expertise to Wastewater Plant Operators engaged in the operation and maintenance of Main Wastewater Plant and Burlington's sludge processing facility. Additionally this position supports the Wastewater Treatment Manager in process control as well as compliance reporting.

Union Affiliation: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

Pay Grade 19: $36.54 - $40.77 Hourly

• Under the direction of the Wastewater Treatment Manager, prepare, coordinate and lead work group in daily work assignments and projects related to the operation and maintenance of the North and East Wastewater Treatment Plants. Including, but not limited to:

• Dewatering process tanks for preventative and corrective action.

• Directing the work of the Plant Operators in the operation and preventative maintenance of all treatment plant processes and equipment to ensure compliance with State permitting requirements.

• Directs the work of the Wastewater Operations staff in performing preventative maintenance of buildings and grounds.

• Maintain monthly preventative maintenance work schedule for all assets through the computerized maintenance program.

• Collaborates with the Senior Plant Operator of Main Plant and the Senior Collection System Operator on scheduling the hauling of sludge to Main Plant for dewatering.

• Assist the Wastewater Treatment Manager in analyzing performance of North and East Plants, recommending and implementing process control techniques or other improvements as necessary to ensure maximum operational efficiency (energy consumption, biosolids management, staff resources etc.) and optimized plant effluent quality.

• Maintain control over progress and quality of work in accordance with departmental goals, policies, procedures and standards for proper operation of the plant and plant laboratory.

• Provide safety related information, training and procedures for staff and visitors.

• Assist with the analysis of wastewater as required by federal and state agencies and ensure conformance with the NPDES discharge permit and effective plant operation as designed.

• Assist the Wastewater Treatment Manager in training staff in the areas of wastewater treatment, analysis for discharge permit parameters, process control analysis, corrective and preventative maintenance and in the supervision and evaluation of staff in these areas.

• Complete monthly WR43 Plant Monthly Operations Report for review by Wastewater Treatment Manager for submission to the State of Vermont.

• Complete residuals summary report for review by Wastewater Treatment Manager for submission to the State of Vermont.

• In collaboration with supervisor, schedule and coordinate river crossing inspections.

• In collaboration with the Main Plant Senior Operator, prepares weekly sludge dewatering schedule and coordinates sludge dewatering at Main Plant from East Plant, North Plant and several out of town customers.

• Requests support from and provides process related information to the Senior Wastewater Mechanic in the case of corrective mechanical issues.

• Perform special projects and related work as required.

• Fulfills job functions of wastewater Plant Operator II as required

Non-Essential Job Functions:

Performs other duties as required.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.

• High School Degree Required.

Experience Requirement Summary Table

DegreeWith following number of years experience in working in wastewater/water treatment

•  Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or related field

Two (2) years

Associates degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or related field

Three (3) years

High School Degree or equivalent

Four (4) years

• Wastewater treatment preferred

• Must be able to meet Wastewater Operator II requirements or have 1 year of supervisory experience required and be able to meet Wastewater Operator II requirements within 18 months.

• Grade 4 or higher Vermont Wastewater License (or equivalent certification from another State) required. Grade 5 Vermont Wastewater License (or equivalent certification from another State) preferred.   Grade 5 must be obtained in 1 year.

• Grade 1 Laboratory Analyst Certification from NEWEA is preferred, must be obtained within 1 year from hire.

• Completion of Wet Weather Operations Training from NEIWPCC is preferred, must be completed within 1 year.

• Completion of OSHA 10 hours (online) required within 6 months. Completion of OSHA 30 (in person) within 2 years.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Vermont driver's license.

• Commercial Driver's License Class B with tanker endorsement at the time of application is preferred.  Candidates without a CDL B with tanker endorsement at the time of application must obtain a CDL Class B permit within the probationary period (90 days) and must obtain a CDL Class B with tanker endorsement license within one (1) year.

• Demonstrated knowledge of municipal wastewater collection, pumping, and treatment, and sludge production and distribution systems.

• Demonstrated proficiency in process control for all Wastewater Plants (Main, North and East) within 1 year.

• Ability to understand logic associated with programmable logic controllers.

• Knowledge of and ability to navigate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).

• Ability to read, interpret, comprehend and follow technical manuals, blueprints, diagrammatic drawings and written or oral instructions required.

• Ability to understand relevant physical, chemical, electrical, and microbiological principles required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of industry methods, materials, and tools.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and technical skill to perform preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on electromechanical pumps, motors, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and instrumentation.

• Ability to select and assign staff to tasks, inspect the work of staff, and to train motivate and coach staff.

• Ability to work independently.

• Ability to plan and execute a schedule for short term projects.

• Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records systems.

• Ability to adhere to City and department policies and standard operating procedures and state and federal regulations.

• Ability to learn and maintain VOSHA safety rules and regulations as they pertain to the Department of Public Works.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, City officials and citizens.

• Ability to work in confined spaces.

• Ability to create and maintain an environment that embraces the 6 operating principles;

• Customer Service, Fiscal Responsibility, Good Labor Relations, Employee Empowerment, Cooperation and Constant Improvement.

• Ability to perform data collection processes and develop and generate the proper reports.

• Ability to work with computers in a Windows based environment required, including Outlook Email, Word and Excel programs and computerized maintenance management systems.

• Ability to enforce safety regulations and standards.

• Exposure to toxic chemicals, bacteria and noxious odors.

• Ability to work outdoors and in all weather conditions, and as required, on weekends and at night including on-call and standby rotations.

• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.

• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our

Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-3057 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.