Assistant Director (Exe Lev) – Plant Operations Maintenance

PN#33787 ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - Plant Operations and Maintenance
Applications accepted from: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
SECTION: Wastewater Operation
REPORTING LOCATION: 4545 Groveway, Houston, TX 77087
WORKDAYS & HOURS: M - F, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.*

• Subject to change

Houston Water consists of approximately 1,500 drinking water and wastewater professionals, including engineers, scientists’ facility operations, and maintenance personnel. The City of Houston Water and Wastewater Utility is a regulated public health agency governed by federal and state laws. Our staff maintains professional licenses issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other public health agencies. The Wastewater Operations Branch has a total of 465 facilities to operate and maintain, including 39 wastewater treatment plants, 380 lift stations, and nearly 6,200 miles of collection systems serving the greater Houston Metropolitan Area.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
An innovative leader that leads by example and solves complex problems by building strong teams, implementing industry best business practices, integrating technology and cultivating professional relationships through excellent interpersonal skills.
Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director of Wastewater Operations, the Assistant Director will lead and manage the employees and activities within the Wastewater Operations Branch of Houston Water. More specifically, the Assistant Director will oversee and manage the Plant Operations & Maintenance, for 39 wastewater treatment plants, 380 lift stations as well as manage a process control engineering team and electrical and controls group to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements, including the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree (CD). This position will be responsible for the overall operations of the Wastewater treatment plants, lift station and force main and rehabilitation, maintenance management; develops, analyzes, and monitors key performance indicators to meet service a financial objective; balances resources, improve overall effectiveness and improve organization efficiencies; develops budgets; and ensures effective operations and regulatory compliance.
The Assistant Director will administer the Wastewater Operations Branch's operational policies and procedures. This includes revising as needed and conducting training to ensure adoption and interpretation; establishing operational objectives aligned with the City of Houston, TCEQ, and EPA required reporting; evaluating, promoting, and aligning the branch's operational practices with strategic vision, mission, and goals. The Assistant Director will manage all technical and operational functions to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements and permits.
Additionally, the Assistant Director will respond to requests from the public, administration, City Council, and executive management; direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of program initiatives across multi-functional lines; and implement various programs to improve operational and financial efficiency.
This is a TIER 1 responsibility position with respect to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Most specifically, this means you are responsible for working and being available to work during a natural disaster or catastrophic event.
In addition to these responsibilities, the position is responsible for a portion of the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree (CD)and mandated requirements and compliance for the wastewater collection systems, with a summary of responsibilities listed below:
Wastewater Treatment Plants

• Development and implementation of Operation and maintenance procedures/ manuals for WWTPs.
• Root cause analysis of effluent limit exceedances at WWTPs and implementation operational changes/ remedial projects (as required) to address effluent limit exceedances and correct deficiencies.
• Preparation of operations and maintenance performance evaluations report for each WWTP, including identifying physical, capacity, performance and operation and maintenance issues which require immediate attention.
• Provide recommendations and schedules for corrective actions needed to address identified deficiencies.

Lift Stations and Force mains

• Inspection and condition assessment of force mains on a balanced annual basis and implementation of remedial measures for identified defects
• Inspection and condition assessment of Lift stations on a balanced annual basis and implementation of remedial measures for identified defects
• Rehabilitation or replacement of 5% of all lift stations annually

Wet weather facilities

• Conduct pilot studies to evaluate treatment technology for the Scott Street and Northside WWFs to achieve effluent that meets the water quality standards for the receiving stream and the CWA’s secondary treatment requirements

CORE VALUES
In alignment with the Houston Public Works Five to Thrive Values we adhere to following core values:
Respect - we listen and care

• Lead a team of diverse skill sets with a focus on team building, communication, and alignment of goals to achieve organizational efficiencies.
• Develop health and safety practices and oversee compliance of those practices
• Meet with team members and stakeholders to understand issues and explain operation policies, programs, objectives and/or initiatives

Ownership - we find solutions, instead of excuses

• Leads the team by providing general oversight and strategic planning initiatives to improve efficiencies, reporting, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Assess, manage, and mitigate the principal risks
• Assesses current practices and management processes to implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, and procedures.
• Oversees emergency management for the team including ensuring staff are properly trained, standard operating procedures are updated, distributed, and followed

Communication - we are reliable and clear

• Monitors operational effectiveness through reports on status, adequate resources, feedback, and analytics
• Establishes and coordinates a variety of special projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations, processes, and procedures.
• Works to ensure the department director's expectations are met and exceeded.

Integrity - we are truthful and keep our word

• Foster a team culture that promotes ethical practices, customer focus, and service and encourages individual integrity.

Teamwork - we work together

• Develop, in collaboration with the Senior Assistant Director, an annual operating plan the supports the long-term strategy.
• Oversees long-range planning for capital improvement projects, maintenance projects, and technology and service initiatives.
• Motivates and leads a high-performance management team

WORKING CONDITIONS:
The position is physically comfortable; the individual has some discretion about walking, standing, etc.
This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level.

City of Houston

https://www.houstontx.gov/