Job Title:                 Water Quality Manager

Department:           Public Works

Reports To:            Water Superintendent

Open Date:              September 3, 2019

Close Date:             Open Until Filled

Hiring Range:         $4,298.02 - $5,491.42 per month, DOE

Salary Range:         $4,298.02 - $6,446.14 per month, DOE

Job Summary:

This position provides direction, management, oversight, and guidance to maintenance and operations of the City of Meridian’s water production, treatment, related regulatory, sampling, and water quality programs ensuring compliance with all local, federal and state regulatory and environmental requirements. Responsible for ensuring compliance with State and Federal regulations including production of complex regulatory reports. Coordinates, supervises, and trains staff in daily operation, maintenance, installation and repair of the City’s potable water production and treatment facilities. Continually strives to, and improves water production operations. Researches, develops and implements new programs, policies and procedures to improve operational effectiveness, efficiencies and customer service. Water Quality Manager works independently under the direction of Water Superintendent and exercises complex problem solving within the framework of established policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Provide guidance and direction for five water quality personnel in the areas of production, treatment, sampling, and regulatory compliance of potable water system programs;

Manage and oversee the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the Water Production Section including assuming responsibility for critical decisions and direction regarding coordination and regulatory compliance with sampling, water quality standards, data management, operational changes, maintenance priorities, scheduling, and accuracy related to Section Programs;

Develop, manage and execute annual water production section operating and capital budgets;

Act as City’s primary point of contact with State and Federal regulatory agencies regarding compliance with water regulations; Research, interpret, and ensure compliance with water quality monitoring rules as enforced by DEQ, DWR and EPA (i.e. Safe Drinking Water Act); draft and respond to correspondence;

Develop and publish annual Consumer Confidence Report;

Maintain information on State Drinking Water Switchboard; act as primary contact for Division;

Responsible for the in-depth technical interpretation of regulatory documents, such as, State issued Reclaimed Water and Air permits, the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, the Clean Water Act, and the Safe Drinking Water Act;

Implement programs and procedures to achieve state and federal mandates and compliance;

Coordinate and collaborate with other section managers, divisions, agencies, municipalities, and engineering firms;

Monitor regulatory rulings and advisories; develop compliance implementation plans; remain informed of emerging issues and concerns and communicate to appropriate management;

Coordinate planned and participate in unannounced on-site regulatory audits conducted by the EPA or Idaho DEQ, respond to questions, provide requested documentation, respond to audit deficiencies, and provide direction and documentation of corrective action;

Responsible for regulatory record keeping necessary for regulatory compliance;

Determine and designate approved analytical methods to employ in the contacted laboratories; evaluate subcontract laboratory qualifications and accreditations;

Evaluate requests for special projects and testing in respect to capabilities and budget. Coordinate timing, methods, and performance of special projects. Provide data set and additional information (such as narratives, qualifiers, summaries, and charts) to administration, consultants, and/or engineers;

Provide general scientific context of laboratory results;

Provide interpretation and explanation of laboratory results;

Assist with financial management of capital assets and budget; develop, administer and manage annual capital and Production budget; monitor and authorize purchases and section expenditures; code invoices; maintain asset records; write requests for proposals; evaluate competitive bids; assist in development annual Division operating and capital budgets;

Responsible to coordinate routine facility infrastructure inspection, asset data collection, and implement operational changes;

Manage operation and maintenance of the water production and treatment systems to ensure compliance in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations, policies and procedures;

Direct process control to ensure effective functioning and operational readiness of production section facilities and assets; analyze operational data to initiate process control changes to ensure effectiveness and accuracy with regulatory and water quality requirements;

Direct, coordinate, supervise, train and assist assigned subordinates with work activities, potable and reclaimed distribution systems, and equipment in accordance with department and citywide policy;

Review, plan, and monitor projects, evaluate activities to determine extent of work and resources needed; maintain records of projects; develop. prepare, and analyze progress reports;

Evaluate, implement, and oversee general operations, repairs, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance programs of water production system and related facilities. Identify shortfalls and take corrective action, adjusting resources as needed to accomplish goals and maintain schedules;

Demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service;

Follows all safety procedures and ensure enforcement; monitor work environments to ensure safety of employees and public is maintained;

Coordinate SCADA system operations as needed to ensure communications and controls are accurate and functional;

Establish and maintain effective working relationship with other employees, department, administration, and the general public;

Lead and participate in the engineering and development of new technologies for water production, treatment facilities and long-term facility planning needs;

Accountable for tracking, maintaining, and retention of records and compliance related to local and state compliance requirements for water system;

Create reports related to operational process trends and compliance status including statistical analysis, graphing, and technical memos;

Develop and oversee asset management program activities and ensure work order completion and asset accuracy; ensure adequate inventory levels and maintenance activities on infrastructure are complete and comply with policies and guidelines, monitor section inventory levels and initiate requests for new or replacement material and equipment;

Communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments and agencies to coordinate work activities, collaborate, exchange information, or resolve problems; lead by example demonstrating City values and promoting teamwork;

Respond in a timely manner to and resolve citizen complaints regarding water quality, incidents and operations;

Research industry best management practices, trends, benchmarks, new and innovative processes, and regulatory requirements; recommend and implement as necessary;

Report and correct all non-compliance events in accordance with state and federal agencies;

Develop short- and long-range goals and program objectives;

Prepare and review performance evaluations, development plans, and work plans;

Perform all managerial activities in alignment with the City of Meridian’s Human Resource policies and procedures; including assisting with hiring, performance evaluations, transferring, promoting, assigning of significant duties, rewarding, performance improvement, disciplining and terminating employment;

Represent the Division at appropriate meetings and related functions; represent the production section in public education and outreach activities such as facility tours and public presentations;

Develop appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for section processes;

Respond to emergencies and after hour system needs;

Performs other duties as required by the Superintendent, Water Operations Manager or Deputy Director of Utility Operations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Advanced knowledge of methods, practices, and techniques used to operate and maintain a large, water distribution and treatment system;        

Advanced knowledge and experience with pumps, motors, wells and disinfection systems; ability to work effectively with electrical and mechanical equipment, recognize symptoms of equipment inefficiencies/failure, and to act in an emergency;

Advanced knowledge and capability of operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting SCADA and well control systems; ability to compute complex mathematical problems, maintain well logs and reports;

Advanced knowledge of water production well operation, maintenance, and regulatory requirements;

Advanced knowledge of water sampling, chemistry, methods, and regulatory requirements;

Substantial knowledge of requirements of QA for labs and be able to audit all analyses;

Substantial knowledge of federal and state QA/QC requirements pertinent to regulatory reporting.

Advanced knowledge of hydraulics, flow and processes of water systems;

Advanced knowledge of water production and treatment operation, maintenance, regulations, practices and requirements;

Advanced knowledge of recycled water distribution and regulations;

Advanced decision making and problem solving with independence within the framework of established policies, procedures and guidelines;

Elevated knowledge of modern principles and practices of leadership, management and supervision;

Knowledge of cross connection requirements, regulations, practices and methods;

Working knowledge of potential hazards and applicable safety regulations, safe work practices, and required safety equipment;

Skill in effectively planning, developing, scheduling, assigning, coordinating, and evaluating operation and maintenance programs, activities and personnel;

Ability and knowledge to effectively manage, lead, mentor, train, and evaluate staff; ability to identify conflicts, and resolve difficult employee and operational situations;

Ability to understand, interpret and comply with regulations and law related to water sampling, and water rights;

Ability to work well with others, establish strong working relationships, and use tact and diplomacy in communications with staff members and the public;

Working knowledge of potential hazards and applicable safety regulations, safe work practices, and required safety equipment;

Skill in effectively planning, developing, scheduling, assigning, coordinating, and evaluating operation and maintenance programs, activities and personnel;

Ability to work effectively with engineers, consultants, and contractors;

Ability to work effectively with local, state, and federal permitting and regulatory agencies;

Ability to effectively direct the activities of staff in a manner which will accomplish program objectives;

Ability to train and evaluate staff in the skillful and safe operation of maintenance equipment;

Ability to maintain records and prepare activity reports;

Advanced: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) Elevated knowledge of: SCADA, Asset Management;

Working knowledge of: GIS, Billing, and Financial Software Platforms;

Knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC);

Understanding of Continuous Process Improvement; root cause analysis, process and project management;

Must have understanding of management concepts involving collaboration, communication, coordination; team building and relationship management;

Budgeting and Financial Analysis, Technical and Business Writing Skills.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment while sitting at a desk for intermittent periods of time. The noise level is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field;

Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions;

Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration;

Requires driving a motorized vehicle or maintenance equipment;

Occasionally is exposed to risk of electrical shock;

Occasionally requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves more than 100 pounds;

Requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time, up to 8 hours;

Requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;

Requires clear vision to read printed materials and computer screen to accomplish work;

Requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Travel Requirements

Travel to various City locations required using City-owned vehicles;

Occasional travel within or outside the region may be required for training or meeting attendance.