Water Utility Operations Supervisor

Salary: $43.62 - $53.50 Hourly
Location : Bremerton, WA
Job Type: REGULAR FULL-TIME
Job Number: 2023-00058
Department: Public Works and Utilities
Division: Water Resources
Opening Date: 11/28/2023
Closing Date: 12/15/2023 5:00 PM Pacific
General Function
The salary indicated above is the 2024 rate of pay and includes longevity (1% earned after five years and increases to a maximum of 4% after 20 years).
This is the senior non-management position in the Water Resources Division, and the incumbent is responsible to plan, organize, and direct all daily water system operations and maintenance. Responsibilities include mentoring all subordinate staff in the Division, and independently performing and supervising complex operation and maintenance tasks for safe, reliable, and regulatorily-compliant operation of the City's surface and groundwater supply facilities, including a dam, surface water reservoir, above and below ground storage reservoirs, wells, pump stations, booster stations, flow control and pressure regulating valves, disinfection, corrosion control, emergency power generation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA), and other appurtenant infrastructure.
This position is responsible for the detailed and accurate operational data collection, compilation and documentation necessary to ensure that the City maintains its status as one of the few remaining unfiltered surface water supply systems in the country.
Representative Essential Duties and Responsibilities
(Note - this list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position.)
Operator in Responsible Charge of Bremerton's Class 2 water treatment process
Determines which water sources, pump stations, and other facilities will be utilized to maintain system pressures and flows for domestic and industrial usage and fire flow; then monitors system performance making adjustments as necessary.
Evaluates monitoring results to assess disinfection and corrosion control processes. Ensures chlorine and ultraviolet dosages are set to meet required level of disinfection and contact times and sufficient residual is maintained throughout the distribution system without excessive disinfection byproduct formation. Also, ensures appropriate dosage of caustic soda for corrosion control.
Assigns maintenance and operations tasks and ensures that assignments are completed satisfactorily, directing daily activities in close coordination with the Lead Operator.
Oversees ongoing implementation of the asset management system, to include tracking and reporting on system operations and maintenance. Ensures the complete and accurate input of work records such as tasks performed, asset location and information, and equipment and materials usage.
Serves as a critical member of the Water Utility Emergency Response Team. Implements the Water Utility Emergency Response Plan, Dam Emergency Action Plans, and Water Shortage Contingency Plan to maintain critical operations during emergencies.
Procures contractor and consultant services for major projects in accordance with the City's procurement policy and practices; directs contractor/consultant work and processes appropriate reimbursements; prepares and submits all required L&I documentation.
Develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals - Writes procedures and/or reviews procedures written by others for accuracy and clarity.
Schedules and participates in rotating 7-day standby duties.
To support operators to ensure maintenance is completed in a timely fashion and to ensure system compliance, performs the following tasks as necessary:
Perform inspections of water supply facilities and equipment. Inspect and perform installation, maintenance and adjustments to more complex system components such as pumps and control valves including the replacement of gaskets, seals, or packing, the alignment of pump and motor couplings, and checking and lubrication of bearings to ensure proper operation. Complete piping and associated component installations and repairs. Inspect and maintain safety equipment such as gas detectors, and emergency eyewash and shower stations. Monitor and adjust as required the operation of the fire protection booster pump station.
Operate telemetry and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment and software. Compile water system data such as flow, reservoir and well levels, weir measurements, water turbidity, treatment chemical dosage, chlorine residual, pH, hours of pump operation, water temperature, bacteriological sample results, and related information and make adjustments as necessary in order to comply with state and federal regulations.
Monitor and operate electronic and manual controls for flow control valves, pump stations, wells, water treatment equipment, and water quality analyzers to maintain optimum water system conditions.
Adjust dosage of ultraviolet process and treatment chemicals used for disinfection and corrosion control. This may include working with hazardous chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. Receive and transport sodium hypochlorite to various sites in the water system. Take delivery of chemicals and appropriately dilute and monitor sodium hydroxide as necessary for adequate corrosion control treatment.
Perform installation, inspection, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs of electronic water quality equipment such as chemical feed pumps and associated components, chlorine residual analyzers, chlorine leak detectors, turbidimeters, pH meters, and other related equipment.
Communicate with contracted laboratory, take daily water system samples, and transport samples to lab for analysis.
Supervisor of Operators and Instrument & Controls Specialist
Supervises subordinate operators and instrument and controls specialist - this includes, but is not limited to, training, performance improvement coaching, and writing and conducting probationary and yearly employee performance evaluations.
Assists the manager in recruiting new staff and holds primary responsibility for the on-boarding and training of new staff.
Approves requests for absences and reviews and approves bi-monthly payroll reports.
Interagency and Interdepartmental Liaison
Coordinates with federal and state regulatory agencies and prepares for regulatory inspections - compiles and relays documentation, ensures facilities are clean and operable, ensures all applicable SOPs and O&M Manuals are up-to-date and available at each facility, and escorts inspectors to and through facilities.
Coordinates with other City departments and outside entities on capital and other projects to ensure that their work reflects the desires and needs of the water supply system. Assists with capital projects. Attends project management meetings and assists engineering staff with bids, design and construction. Coordinates with Facilities Division to maintain facility security and building/lands condition.
Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with adjacent purveyors, especially consecutive and wholesale systems. Maintains effective communication with adjacent purveyors with whom the City shares facilities.
Water Utility Manager Support
Supports the manager in preparing the operations budget and 6-year Capital Improvement Plan - Projecting overtime and standby hours, labor hours, and equipment and materials costs (including fuel and chemicals); proposing vehicle replacements when needed; and proposing necessary repairs or improvements to supply, treatment, and distribution systems after assessing system performance, condition of assets, and maintenance/replacement schedules.
Prepares and submits the annual Tier II report and monthly Department of Health report; assists the manager in producing all other recurring reports.
Assists the manager in water system planning and updating the Water System Plan and other associated plans governing all areas of system management to include monitoring, source protection, water use efficiency and emergency response.
Assists the Risk Management Specialist and Safety Officer - providing information for insurance renewals, hazards assessments, Survey and Rating Bureau assessments, accident prevention and reporting, damage to City property tracking and reporting, and other related issues.
Other Duties

• Regular attendance is an essential requirement
• Performs related work as assigned and/or required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (Entry Requirements)
Knowledge of:

• Water or related system operations, maintenance, and procedures
• State and federal regulations and requirements for water system compliance
• City policies and procedures applicable to this position
• Hydraulics, mechanical, and electrical theory
• Water chemistry and treatment processes
• Basic computer skills with knowledge of MS Office, Adobe, Bluebeam, Cartegraph, GIS, and SCADA
• Water system emergency response procedures
• Basic utility budgeting, purchasing, and asset management

Ability to:

• Work independently and cooperatively with others
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Effectively supervise and coach employees
• Organize time, personnel, equipment, and materials to complete tasks
• Troubleshoot and resolve unusual and irregular problems
• Accurately calculate complex math problems related to water system flows, volumes, pressures, and chemical dosage
• Write system status reports, memos, operational procedures, and employee evaluations
• Safely operate basic hand and power tools and demonstrate safe work practices in confined space entry, flagging, hazardous chemical handling, and other hazardous conditions
• Remain alert and aware of water system operational status and recognize changes needed and problems occurring and take appropriate action

Qualifying Education and Experience (Minimum Requirements)
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a High School diploma or G.E.D and 5 years experience in water system operations.
Valid State of Washington Driver's License.
Special Requirements

• Washington State Water Distribution Manager 3 Certification (WDM 3) at time of hire.
• Obtain and maintain a Washington State Water Distribution Manager 4 Certification (WDM 4) within six (6) months of hire.
• Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator II Certification (WTPO II) at time of hire.
• Obtain Traffic Control Flagger card within one year of hire.
• Obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Hazmat Endorsement within one year of hire.
• Future additional certifications or licensing may be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Climbing. Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing. Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling and walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping. Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling. Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching. Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Crawling. Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking. Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing. Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling. Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting. Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering. Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling. Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Talking. Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing. Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound.
• Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Medium work. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.
• Must be able to endure frequent walking ...