Our partner is looking for a Wastewater Operations Manager in Seattle, WA.
You will be leading a unionized workforce of over 300 people that work every day to keep our three regional and two community wastewater plants, five combined sewer overflow (CSO) treatment facilities, 400 miles of sewer pipelines, 25 regulator stations, 48 pump stations operating efficiently to clean our waters to protect our community’s health and the environment. You will be a participating member of the division’s leadership team, setting vision, goals, and strategies for the division.
Our mission is to protect public health and enhance the environment by collecting and treating wastewater while recycling valuable resources for the Puget Sound region. The Wastewater Treatment Division employs over 700 people who plan, design, build, and operate treatment facilities. Our employees also enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharged to the system, and we educate the public and businesses on ways to protect water quality. To our agency, success means clean water.
Job Duties
- Provide leadership in overall operation and administration of regional wastewater transmission, treatment, and reuse facilities; provide guidance for assigned staff on workplace policies, public services, and professional development; and manage the work of assigned staff.
- Ensure compliance with permits and regulatory reporting requirements for the operations of wastewater treatment plants and associated facilities; provide leadership, collaborating with the sections in complying with regulations; and establish and implement section policies and procedures.
- Oversee the evaluation, development, and implementation of treatment systems, operation and maintenance improvements utilizing new technology; monitor and stay up-to-date with current trends in the wastewater industry including legislation, science, safety, and professional practices and techniques; and recommend policy, procedural and equipment purchases and modifications. Direct the recycling of materials derived from wastewater processing.
- Participate with division leadership in managing relationships among various sections within the division; establish procedures and work with section teams to develop criteria, identify needs and priorities to plan, and implement systems’ improvement; and oversee daily work and budget processes.
- Develop the section’s operations and maintenance annual budget; monitor and control funds to ensure budget meets projected expenditures; monitor capital portfolio, programs and projects; coordinate start-up of new and rebuilt facilities; and participate in planning plant and system expansions to meet future growth and new requirements.
- Advocate for key organizational initiatives, values and priorities of the county and the Wastewater Treatment Division.
Union Representation: This position is represented by the Teamster, Local 117. Pursuant to Article 12.1 Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust $2.00 per hour from the base wage will be submitted to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund.
Requirements
- Wastewater Treatment Operator, Group IV certification (within 2 years of hire date).
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater systems management.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering and systems operation.
- Experience that demonstrates the ability to manage down to section staff, collaboratively across division leadership and up to department leadership and the Executive.
- Politically savvy, well equipped with managerial courage, and the ability to incorporate conflict management and collaboration skills based on situational needs.
- Organizationally agile to manage multiple complex programs and projects, get things done and understand the culture of the organization.
- Skillfully maneuver in a political and highly unionized environment
- Demonstrated supervision/management experience, with a well-developed, broad range of administrative, negotiation, facilitation, and management skills.
- Demonstrated experience effectively leading a diverse workforce that includes employees from multiple racial, ethnic, gender and ableness communities.
- Experienced in managing programs, ensuring deliverables, managing tasks, and communicating results.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of management and supervision, budget development, financial management employed in capital improvement and operating programs, policy implementation and governance.
- Knowledge of human resources management techniques and principles, and the ability to utilize collaborative labor negotiation str