Utility Supervisor – Solid Waste & Landfill

Under direction, the Utility Supervisor plans and organizes the activities of a work unit responsible for carrying out public works functions and projects. This position supervises equipment operators, and maintenance personnel and other seasonal/temporary employees in performing manual and skilled duties. 
Scope of Responsibility: 
The Utility Supervisor supervises assigned staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Plans and organizes work unit activities including prioritizing and delegating projects to each shift based on scheduling of staff, time, staff's expertise to perform the function, etc. to ensure efficiency and quality of process.
    
2. Evaluates work unit procedures and makes adjustments to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of operations. 
   1. Visually inspects completed work and work-in-progress to determine if proper procedures were followed and if work meets departmental, state and federal guidelines; 
   2. Works with staff to identify, develop and implement improvements to operations;
   3. Serves as a resource to staff in resolving technical problems;
   4. Develops, recommends and implements training and standard operating procedures for staff to follow to ensure their safety and the efficient operation of equipment.
       
3. Using independent judgment provides supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control.  
   1. Participates in decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control;
   2. Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;
   3. Leads unit in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;
   4. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and collaborates with the responsible supervisor and recommends performance review content for assigned employees; Oversight of workplace performance issues with recommendations to Director.
   5. Provides training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss; ensures that each employee:
      1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
      2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
      3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
   6. Plans the work schedule to meet department demands and to limit overtime costs to reasonable and necessary levels;
   7. Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities; 
   8. Assesses staff development needs and directs the provision of staff training;
   9. Participates in decisions regarding the content of jobs and the number of staff within the functional areas under the span of control.
       
4. Gathers and maintains records of work unit activities. Oversees compliance with all applicable regulatory agencies.  
   1. Prepares a variety of reports and reviews those prepared by staff relating to operating conditions, equipment, and compliance with department rules and local, state and federal rules and regulations. Responsible for maintaining a thorough understanding of applicable regulatory standards relevant to specific Solid Waste programs and prepares mandated compliance reports.
       
5. Oversees the work performed by contractors and other outside vendors to ensure contract specifications are met and compliance with city standards and specifications. Direct involvement including monitoring and reporting of all capital improvement projects.
    
6. Maintains inventory of materials and supplies. 
   1. Orders appropriate quantities of materials based on inventory on-hand, consumption rate, delivery times, available storage space, etc.
       
7. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Frequently interacts with the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information; represents the Division at various meetings and community education events.
   2. Interaction occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
   3. Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the function;
   4. Responds to informational inquiries, complaints and requests from the general public, etc. regarding specific work situations, departmental policies and procedures, records and other matters concerning assessments. Resolves problems and concerns as necessary.
   5. Serves as main point of contact for media relations as they pertain to daily operations within each Solid Waste Department.
   6. Understands and evaluates potential implementation of compatible emerging technologies.
   7. Direct involvement with equipment and procurement process with recommendation to Director.
       
8. Serves as back-up for other Utility Supervisors in their absence.
    
9. On Call 24/7 on a rotational basis and for all snow events.
    
10. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

The job requires a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.) and six or more years of progressively responsible experience in performing public works projects including two or more years of experience equivalent to the work performed by positions in the Public Works Maintenance Crew Leader; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. A valid driver's license with specific endorsements may be required. Specific certification requirements apply to special assignments to the Water Plant, Wastewater Plant, Landfill and Lift Station.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Knowledge of the proper and safe operation, servicing and maintenance of material moving equipment;
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the operation or maintenance of equipment and public works projects and operations;
• Knowledge of public work procedures, practices and common structure and relationship within the City, etc.;
• Knowledge of governmental administrative practices including budgeting, purchasing and policy formulation;
• Knowledge of human resource management practices such as training, discipline, delegation, etc.;
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing work;
• Skill in providing instruction, training and work direction to others;
• Skill in performing basic mathematical computation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division;
• Basic computer skills and the ability to learn new computer applications;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have strong public relations skills;
• Ability to interpret technical manuals and reports;
• Ability to select competent personnel and to train them to perform their duties in an effective and efficient manner;
• Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments. Work is typically light with considerable variety and ranges to medium work occasionally. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Regular driving is required to check work sites, projects and attend meetings. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is high attention to detail and deadlines.  

The job occasionally involves participating in field activities such as lifting manhole covers, sandbags, and other objects (like large roadkill). 

Standing, walking, digital dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

Special Assignment: Landfill
Scope of Responsibility:

The Landfill Supervisor is responsible for approximately 16 Full Time and 1 seasonal employee, an estimated 226,000 tons of fill per year 10 million in tipping fees and $1 million in renewable energies, while avoiding environmental violations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Monitors gas operations and daily cover and cap cover in order the optimize gas production and comply with state environmental regulations.
    
2. Manages the department budget.
   1. Provides informed input on matters relating to the annual operating and multi-year capital budgets;
   2. Develops specifications for new capital landfill equipment, examples of which are dozers, loaders, skid steer, roll-offs, woodchipper;
   3. Analyzes past expenditures, expected needs, future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed budgets;
   4. Reviews year-to-date spending reports and monitors performance against plan during the entire budget cycle, making or recommending adjustments as necessary to achieve a desired balance at the end of the cycle;
   5. Approves expenditures for purposes and amounts that are within the budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job;
   6. Works to ensure the most cost-effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures;
   7. Prepares requests for annual funding and presents requests to decision makers for approval;
   8. Negotiates lease/buy agreements
      1. Maintains inventory of materials and supplies;Monitors consumption rate;
      2. Orders appropriate quantities of materials based on inventory on-hand, delivery times, available storage space, etc.
          
3. Oversees the work performed by contractors and other outside vendors to ensure contract specifications are met and compliance with city standards and specifications; equipment maintenance is done at implement dealers for heavy equipment and trucks are sent to Central Garage.
    
4. In cooperation with the Recycling Coordinator, oversees waste screening program and utilizes information gathered to identify and implement waste diversion and recycling opportunities to landfill customers and accounts.

Minimum Qualifications:

A valid driver's license is required.

Certification Requirements:

• Landfill Operations: Landfill Operator's Certificate.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• Working knowledge of North Dakota Department of Health Solid Waste Management Rules as applied to daily landfill operations and activities. 
• Working knowledge of landfill gas collection system and renewable energy components to include individual wells, collector system, compressor station, distribution system and landfill gas electric generator.
• Knowledge of yard waste composting practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of scale-house billing application software.
• Knowledge of the proper and safe operation, servicing and maintenance of material moving equipment such as those listed above;
• Knowledge of the proper and safe operation of municipal Solid Waste transfer station and baling facility.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

Work is performed in a variety of settings with exposure to unpleasant odors and environments. The job includes public interaction, monitoring of complaints, resolving escalated issues with customers, onsite investigations and some bartering with contractors. Daily computer use is approximately one hour to handle email, calendar, limited report writing and vacation schedules.  

Actions include standing, walking, digital dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.

Light Work: Very intermittent lifting up to 50 pounds of force, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.