Chief Plant Operator Chief Plant Operator is a senior-level position responsible for managing and supervising the operations and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant. Essential Duties And Responsibilities Includes, but is not limited to, the following: Oversees and coordinates daily operations of WWTP ensuring compliance with regulations and permits. Supervises & trains plant operators, maintenance staff, and other personnel. Enforces safety protocols and emergency response plans. Assists in performance evaluations and personnel action plans. Assists in development and maintains standard operating procedures and maintenance schedules. Analyzes data and optimizes plant performance and making adjustments as needed. Collaborates with management on capital improvement projects. Ensures compliance with environmental regulations, permits, and laws. Performs technical and administrative tasks including reports and records. Assists in scheduling plant operators shift assignments and training schedules. Performs complex laboratory tests and analyzes results to ensure compliance with regulations. Operates skid steer and telehandlers. Performs manual labor, housekeeping, and grounds keeping tasks. May perform other duties as assigned by WWTP Superintendent or Manager. Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge :Complex wastewater treatment processes and principles. Chemical addition and treatment chemicals. Complex Laboratory tests and analysis. Safety protocols and regulations. Manage and oversee equipment operation and maintenance. Regulatory requirements and compliance. Complex process control and optimization techniques. Strong understanding of hydraulics, mechanics, electrical, I&C, process control, laboratory, and microbiology.
Skills:
Managing operation and control of treatment process. Managing equipment maintenance and repair. Complex Troubleshooting and problem solving. Clear and concise communication and record keeping. Fostering and promoting teamwork. Abilities :Analyze data and make decisions to more complex issues. Ability to troubleshoot and resolve problems through corrective action. Communicate and delegate assignments effectively. Work safely, follow, and enforce safety protocols. Adapt quickly to changing situations and priorities. Knowing regulations and standards.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises 1 to 10 employees in the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city's policies and applicable laws.
Responsibilities include training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; and resolving problems.
Qualification Requirements:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Language Skills:
Effective communication skills :Expert level verbal and written communication.
Clear and concise reporting and giving direction to lower-level staff.
Provide information to solve problems along with corrective action options.
Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with subordinates, other employees, and deal effectively with the public.
Reading comprehension :Understand complex technical documents and regulations.
Interpret complex instructions and manuals.
Basic writing skills :Produce accurate reports and logs.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
Comprehension skills :Follow complex written and verbal instructions with precision.
Communicate with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments.
Understand and use complex technical terminology related to wastewater treatment.
Mathematical SkillsBasic math operations :Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Decimals, fractions, and percentages.
Algebraic skills :Formula calculation and manipulation.
Solution concentration and dilution calculations.
Geometric skills :Volume and area calculations.
Flow rate and velocity calculations.
Analytical skills :Expert level data interpretation and analysis.
Expert level trend recognition and forecasting.
Practical applications :Calculating chemical dosage and flow rates.
Determining treatment process efficiency.
Understanding and calculating sludge volumes and pumping rates.
Use calculator and computer software for mathematical calculations.
Apply complex mathematical concepts to real-world problems in wastewater treatment.
Understand and work with units of measurement, conversion factors, and mathematical formulas related to wastewater treatment.
Education:
A high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D) required. Some college or Bachelor is preferred.
Experience60 plus months at a Grade 4 Wastewater Facility or a bachelor's in science degree.
Previous supervisory experience or related supervisor training courses are preferred.
Required Certification And Licenses:- Grade 4 WWTP Operator Certification through TDEC. (Must obtain Grade 4 certification within 18 months of hire with prior experience or reciprocity from another state)
- Must attend all training courses necessary for Grade 4 certification.
- Must attend all continuing education courses to keep certification current.
Driver License:
A valid Tennessee Driver license with clear driving record. CDL license is preferred.
Availability Requirements:
Given the critical infrastructure role of the facility and the need to maintain essential staffing during events such as severe weather, power outages, or other emergency conditions, employees in this position must be available to work rotating shifts, including 24/7 assignments. This position is subject to on-call and call-back requirements, which may include work outside of normal business hours, including days, nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays. The employee must be available to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and may be required to report to duty or remain onsite during emergency operations.
Residency Requirements:
Due to the on-call and emergency response nature of this position, the ideal candidate should reside in Wilson County or in one of the surrounding counties that border Wilson County, including Cannon, Davidson, DeKalb, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, or Trousdale Counties.
Physical Demand, Work Environment, And Reasonable Accommodations:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to walk; sit; use tools; operate controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and listen, observe, or smell. The employee must frequently lift, move, push, pull or carry up to 50 pounds. May occasionally push, pull or move 75 to 100 pounds, with assistance. Must be able to use tools such as breaker bar, pipe wrench, hand truck. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Must be available for rotating shift work with
