Chief Operator, Wastewater Treatment Facility, Grade 3

Classified Details

Classified ID

2467

Description

Department:                 Sewer & Wastewater Treatment / Public Works
Reports To:                     Public Works Supervisor
Position Type:              Full-Time
Schedule:                       Regular full-time schedule, with on-call, weekend, holiday, and emergency-response responsibilities as needed.

Salary Range:               $31/hour - $43/hour

Contact: Ron Redmond, City Manager, manager@vergennes.org or 802-238-5598

Position Summary

The Chief Operator, Wastewater Treatment Facility, is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and day-to-day performance of the City of Vergennes Wastewater Treatment Facility, pump stations, sewer collection system, controls, equipment, and related infrastructure.

 This position serves as the certified Chief Operator for the City’s wastewater system and is responsible for making process-control decisions that affect treatment quality, permit compliance, discharge performance, public health, and protection of the environment. The Chief Operator supervises wastewater staff, coordinates maintenance and repair work, oversees sampling and reporting, responds to system emergencies, and works closely with the Public Works Supervisor, City Manager, engineers, contractors, regulators, and other City departments.  * Our current facility is a Grade III (lagoons).  Our new facility, scheduled to be complete in 2028, will be a Grade V (SBR).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are illustrative and not exhaustive. The City may assign other related duties as needed.

Facility and System Operations

·         Operate, monitor, inspect, and maintain the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility, pump stations, sewer collection system, controls, equipment, and related infrastructure.

·         Serve as the City’s certified Chief Operator and make process-control decisions affecting treatment quality, discharge compliance, plant performance, and system reliability.

·         Monitor influent, effluent, sludge handling, treatment processes, flows, alarms, pumps, motors, controls, and other mechanical, electrical, and operational systems.

·         Conduct regular inspections of the treatment facility, pump stations, and collection system to identify operational concerns, equipment issues, maintenance needs, and potential compliance problems.

·         Adjust treatment processes, equipment, and operating procedures as needed to maintain effective and compliant wastewater treatment.

·         Respond to alarms, pump station issues, sewer backups, blockages, overflows, equipment failures, weather-related events, and other emergency or after-hours service calls.

Regulatory Compliance, Sampling, and Reporting

·         Ensure compliance with applicable State of Vermont, federal, NPDES/discharge permit, safety, and local requirements.

·         Collect samples, oversee laboratory testing, monitor influent and effluent quality, and ensure required sampling is completed accurately and on schedule.

·         Prepare, maintain, and submit required operational records, monitoring reports, discharge reports, maintenance logs, inspection records, and other compliance documentation.

·         Maintain knowledge of applicable wastewater regulations, permit conditions, reporting requirements, and operational best practices.

·         Communicate with state and federal regulatory agencies as appropriate and coordinate inspections, reporting, follow-up actions, and corrective measures.

Maintenance and Repairs

·         Schedule and perform preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, inspections, cleaning, repairs, and replacement of wastewater treatment equipment, pumps, valves, controls, piping, electrical components, and related infrastructure.

·         Develop and maintain maintenance schedules for treatment plant equipment, pump stations, collection system components, vehicles, tools, and safety equipment.

·         Diagnose mechanical, electrical, process, and system problems and coordinate repairs with staff, contractors, vendors, engineers, or other City departments as needed.

·         Maintain tools, supplies, chemicals, parts, equipment, and inventory needed for safe and reliable wastewater system operations.

Supervision and Staff Coordination

·         Supervise, assign, train, review, and participate in the work of wastewater staff.

·         Provide direction to operators and other personnel involved in wastewater treatment, collection system maintenance, sampling, testing, and emergency response.

·         Promote a safe, professional, accountable, and collaborative work environment.

·         Assist with scheduling, workload planning, staff training, certifications, performance feedback, and implementation of standard operating procedures.

·         Participate directly in technical and operational work as needed.

Project, Budget, and Administrative Support

·         Coordinate with the Public Works Supervisor, City Manager, engineers, contractors, vendors, regulators, and other City departments on wastewater operations, capital projects, maintenance needs, and system improvements.

·         Assist with budgeting, purchasing, capital planning, project coordination, grant-related documentation, and recommendations for operational improvements.

·         Help identify long-term infrastructure needs, equipment replacement priorities, treatment process improvements, and collection system maintenance priorities.

·         Review plans, specifications, contractor work, and project activities related to the wastewater treatment facility and sewer collection system as requested.

·         Maintain accurate records related to equipment, maintenance, chemicals, safety, compliance, staff activities, and operational costs.

Safety

·         Maintain and follow safety procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment, chemical handling procedures, SDS records, confined-space awareness, lockout/tagout practices, traffic safety, and other applicable safety requirements.

·         Ensure wastewater staff are trained in and follow safe work practices.

·         Identify unsafe conditions and take corrective action or report concerns to the Public Works Supervisor.

·         Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment at the wastewater facility, pump stations, and related work areas.

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate must have:

·         Vermont wastewater operator certification at the grade required for the City of Vergennes Wastewater Treatment Facility, or the ability to obtain and maintain such certification as required by the City and the State of Vermont.

·         High school diploma or equivalent.

·         Valid driver’s license.

·         Wastewater treatment facility operations and maintenance experience.

·         Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, pump stations, collection systems, sampling, testing, reporting, and regulatory compliance.

·         Ability to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair wastewater treatment equipment, pumps, controls, mechanical systems, and related infrastructure.

·         Ability to supervise, train, direct, and work effectively with wastewater staff.

·         Ability to use computers and software for records, reporting, communications, compliance documentation, and operational monitoring.

·         Ability to prepare clear and accurate written reports, logs, records, and correspondence.

·         Ability to communicate professionally with City staff, regulators, contractors, vendors, residents, and the public.

·         Ability to perform physical labor, work outdoors in all weather conditions, respond to emergencies, and work evenings, weekends, holidays, or on-call shifts as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications are preferred but not required:

·         Prior supervisory experience in wastewater, public works, utilities, or a related municipal field.

·         Experience with municipal budgeting, purchasing, capital planning, project management, or construction coordination.

·         Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, pump, motor, control, or instrumentation troubleshooting experience.

·         Experience with pump stations, sewer collection systems, SCADA or other control systems, NPDES reporting, and wastewater compliance documentation.

·         CPR, First Aid, OSHA, confined space, flagging, trench safety, or other relevant safety training.

·         Experience working with engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and municipal officials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The Chief Operator should have the ability to:

·         Understand and apply wastewater treatment principles, regulations, permits, and operating procedures.

·         Make sound process-control decisions to maintain permit compliance and system performance.

·         Identify operational problems and implement timely corrective action.

·         Read and interpret technical manuals, equipment specifications, plans, permits, and regulatory documents.

·         Organize work, set priorities, and respond effectively to routine and emergency situations.

·         Maintain accurate records and submit required reports on time.

·         Work independently while also coordinating effectively with supervisors, staff, contractors, and other departments.

·         Exercise sound judgment, professionalism, and discretion.

·         Provide leadership and promote safe, efficient, and reliable wastewater system operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position requires work in both indoor and outdoor environments, including the wastewater treatment facility, pump stations, collection system areas, mechanical rooms, confined or restricted spaces, and active work zones.

The employee must be able to:

·         Stand, walk, climb, bend, kneel, reach, lift, carry, push, and pull as needed.

·         Lift and carry equipment, tools, supplies, and materials commonly used in wastewater operations.

·         Work in adverse weather conditions, around wastewater, chemicals, odors, noise, moving equipment, traffic, and other occupational hazards.

·         Use personal protective equipment and follow required safety procedures.

·         Respond to emergencies outside normal working hours.

·         Perform duties safely and effectively under routine and emergency conditions.

On-Call and Emergency Response

The Chief Operator is expected to participate in and/or manage on-call coverage and emergency response for the wastewater treatment facility, pump stations, and sewer collection system. This may include responding to alarms, equipment failures, overflows, blockages, severe weather events, public service calls, and other urgent operational needs during evenings, weekends, holidays, or outside regular working hours.

Title

Chief Operator, Wastewater Treatment Facility, Grade 3

Salary Range

$31 to $43

Application Deadline

05/31/2026

Location

Vergennes, VT

Application URL

www.vergennes.org/information/employment_opportunities_and_rfps.php 

Contact Information

Name

Redmond, Ron

Phone Number

(802) 877-3637

Email

manager@vergennes.org 

Best Method of Contact

PHONE