Wastewater Chief Plant Operator

Town of Ocean City, MD

$74K — $95K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED with coursework in chemistry and mechanics.
  • 10 years of related supervisory experience in the wastewater field or equivalent education and experience.
  • Permanent Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's License required.
  • Must obtain a Wastewater Superintendent's license within one year of appointment as Chief Plant Operator.
  • Valid driver's license is necessary.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise and coordinate work of the operations team at the wastewater plant.
  • Conduct chemical tests and ensure proper chemical solutions are utilized.
  • Audit plant operator reports for compliance and accuracy.
  • Prepare state and municipal reports, including violations of the NPDES operating permit.
  • Inspect machinery and manage preventive maintenance programs.
  • Assist in budgeting for the Operations unit alongside the Wastewater Superintendent.
  • Develop and maintain training programs for operations personnel.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Retirement plans including 401a and 457b.
  • Flexible spending accounts available.
  • Life and disability insurance provided.
  • Thirteen paid holidays each year.
  • Generous vacation, personal, and sick leave policies.
Full Job Description
Salary : $74,568.00 - $95,826.00 Annually
Location : Ocean City, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works - Wastewater Department
Division: WW ADMIN
Opening Date: 09/08/2026

Job Summary

SUMMARY
Supervises the operation of the wastewater plant and outlying pumping stations. Acts as Assistant Superintendent as required.
Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following, other duties maybe assigned
  • Directs, plans and coordinates work assignments of operations personnel.
  • Conducts chemical tests and ensures proper chemical solutions.
  • Audits plant operator reports.
  • Prepares required state and municipal reports, including reporting of sanitary sewer overflows, and any violations of the plant NPDES operating permit.
  • Performs required inspection of all machinery according to preventive maintenance program. Does equipment entries, assigns inventory parts and maintenance tasks to designated equipment, and distributes maintenance cards.
  • Assists in the preparation of the Operations unit budget in coordination with the Wastewater Superintendent.
  • Directs/implements operational strategy for NPDES permit compliance.
  • Develops/maintains Operations training program.
  • Maintains Coop, Emergency Operations plans, and Standard Operating procedures. Attends COOP/LEPC meetings as the department representative. Has functional knowledge of lockout/tagout procedures, relevant occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
  • Audits time sheets and cards.
  • Maintains necessary computer skills and familiarity with software used by the Town of Ocean City.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Directly supervises three Process Foremen and the Pump Station Operator.
  • Indirectly supervises 24 other full-time employees.
  • Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the Operations unit.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
  • Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS - 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
  • High school diploma or general education degree(GED) with or supplemented by courses in chemistry and mechanics.
  • Minimum ten (10) years related field experience and/or training in a supervisory capacity;
  • Or equivalent combination of education, (college level courses in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Math) and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
  • Possession of a permanent Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's License.
  • Must obtain a Wastewater Superintendent's license issued by the State of Maryland within one year of becoming Chief Plant Operator.
  • Valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.

REASONING ABILITY
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of waste water treatment to include chlorination, PH control, aeration, coagulation, sedimentation, oxygen activated sludge processes, digestion and maintenance practices. Ability to operate any machinery and equipment utilized in operation of wastewater treatment processing. Supervision of plant operations and personnel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts. The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions and is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock. The employee occasionally works in high,
precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or air borne particles, and extreme heat.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
We offer a competitive benefits package to full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, retirement (401a & 457b), flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability, thirteen paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our benefits page:
https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/human-resources/benefits/
01

Do you possess a high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and at least ten years related field experience and/or training in a supervisory capacity; or equivalent combination of education, (college level courses in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Math) and experience?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you possess a permanent Class 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator's License?
  • Yes
  • No

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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