Essential Utilities, Inc.

Wastewater Plant Manager

Essential Utilities, Inc.$113K — $145K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, or engineering preferred (advanced degree advantageous).
  • 10 years industry experience required, including 5 years in a supervisory role.
  • Experience with computer control systems, environmental chemistry, and laboratory procedures.
  • Expertise in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills with attention to detail.
  • Ability to motivate self and diverse teams, establish attainable goals, and manage projects effectively.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills for dealing with public officials and internal/external customers.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise Central Division wastewater systems and facilities, ensuring timely maintenance and management.
  • Achieve Department objectives and train employees in Aqua policies and procedures.
  • Act as Responsible Operator In Charge (ROIC) for compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Administer non-union employee relations including staffing, training, and performance reviews.
  • Manage accounts payable and vendor relationships, ensuring procurement of necessary materials and chemicals.
  • Identify and manage capital expenditures, coordinating with engineering and compliance staff.
  • Oversee department safety programs and implement safety training for employees.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to lead in a regulatory-compliant environment with a focus on employee development.
  • Chance to manage significant capital projects and investments in wastewater technology.
  • Engagement in community service through direct customer complaint resolution and interaction.
  • Access to advanced operational systems and support in maintaining top-notch facilities.
  • Comprehensive employee relations management experience, enhancing interpersonal and leadership skills.
Full Job Description
ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities)

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

  • Supervisor in charge of all Central Division wastewater collection systems, lift stations. and treatment facilities, along with all associated equipment.  Responsible for ensuring the timely repair, maintenance and management of assets and operations via an electronic work order management system.
  • Responsible for attaining established Department objectives, including established performance metrics.  This includes the training and developing of Wastewater Department employees with an understanding of, and compliance with, Aqua policies, procedures, and practices.
  • Serves as the Responsible Operator In Charge (ROIC) for all Central Division Wastewater Department NPDES systems and other jurisdictions as required within established operations. Responsible for compliance with all IEPA and EPA regulatory requirements related to the Department operations.
  • Administration of all non-union employee relations including staffing, labor relations, compliance with personnel policies and programs, staff development and personnel reviews.  Also responsible for employee personal development, interviewing, hiring, training,  rewarding, counseling, and employee discipline as necessary.
  • Responsible for timely management and reconciliation of accounts payable expenditures to all vendors providing support to the Department’s activities; responsible for management of materials, chemicals, equipment, fleet procurement, and inventory control/reconciliation. Also responsible for preparation of purchase requisitions and monitoring open purchase orders.
  • Responsible for identifying, developing, and managing capital expenditures within the Wastewater Department.  Coordinates with internal and external engineering, operational and compliance staff to ensure capital expenditures are in accordance with established budgets and operational plans. Responsible for fulfilling all duties of Project Manager on Wastewater Department capital projects.
  • Manages the procurement, accountability and charge-out of inventory items in support of the Department.  Ensures needed materials and chemicals are on hand for daily work and that invoices are reconciled in a timely fashion.
  • Supervises others who perform NPDES and process analyses in wastewater treatment as needed.
  • Supervises all wastewater employees at the division level including operator trainee/ operators, maintenance, laboratory, and team lead personnel.
  • Prepares, reviews, and submits regulatory agency required reporting and monitoring, with oversight by the Area Manager and Compliance Manager.
  • Responsible for maintaining compliance with sampling schedules and parameter limits for wastewater quality.
  • Evaluates new treatment processes through pilot studies and develops capital projects or process changes to implement improvements in quality or efficiency of operation.
  • Receives and investigates customer back up or sanitary overflow complaints and formulates appropriate responses.
  • Manages overall operational ready status of plant and collection system equipment including computerized control systems and monitoring sensors.
  • Oversight of department safety programs, safety leadership and training of employees. Utilize and support Aqua safety program and policies in conjunction with State Safety Specialist including but not limited to process safety, Chemical Hygiene Plan, Risk Management Plan, Lock Out/Tag Out and Confined Space Program.
  • Performs all other duties assigned.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL OR REGISTRATION QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental engineering, or engineering is preferred but not required. An advanced degree is advantageous. 
  • Must have 10 years of experience in the industry with 5 years in a supervisory role. Previous experience should also include work with computer control systems and programming, environmental chemistry and laboratory procedures, computational skills to calculate chemical dosages and determine calibration of chemical feed systems, basic mechanical skills to maintain large pumps, drives, motors, piping systems, chemical feeders and storage tanks, knowledge of electrical power distribution and control systems. 
  • Must be advanced in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Creative problem-solving skills, strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment preferred.
  • Ability to think analytically and logically with strong attention to detail.
  • Must possess the ability to motivate oneself and others to accomplish required tasks, and the ability to work with and motivate people of diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to work harmoniously and effectively with public officials, staff, and management. 
  • Ability to establish meaningful, timely and attainable goals and effectively coordinate multiple projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively conduct business with internal and external customers and represent the company. 
  • Must be available for emergencies or consultation 24/7 and respond when necessary.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Class 1 Illinois Public Wastewater Operator’s Certificate is required but will consider candidates with the ability to obtain a Class 1 certificate within the specified experience requirement.
  • Candidate must possess a valid U.S. driver's license.

The physical demands 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.

Pay Range: $113,000 - $145,000

About Essential Utilities, Inc.

Essential Utilities, Inc. is a regulated utility holding company that provides water and wastewater services to more than 5 million people in 10 states across the United States. The company's subsidiaries include Aqua America, which provides water and wastewater services in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, and Georgia, and Peoples, which provides natural gas distribution services in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Essential Utilities was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.
Learn more about Essential Utilities, Inc.
Size
2 employees
Market Cap
$12.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$284.8 million
5 Year Trend
+18%
Revenue
$1.4 billion

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