Wastewater Superintendent

WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT

REPORTS TO: Director of Public Works

EMPLOYEE STATUS: Regular

SCHEDULE: Full-time

STANDARD HOURS PER WEEK: 40.00

OVERTIME STATUS: Exempt
PRIMARY LOCATION: Kenedy, TX, 78119

TRAVEL: Up to 60% of the time

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $65,000 DOE

Summary/Objective:

The Wastewater Superintendent is responsible for overseeing the management, compliance, and operational efficiency of the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. This position ensures the safe treatment and disposal of wastewater by managing daily operations, infrastructure maintenance, regulatory reporting, and emergency response to uphold public health and environmental standards. Key responsibilities include supervising personnel, ensuring compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, overseeing department budgets, and implementing preventative maintenance programs for wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, and collection systems. The Superintendent also leads the department’s monitoring and reporting efforts, ensuring accurate documentation of effluent water quality testing, system performance, and maintenance activities. As the senior leader in wastewater operations, this position focuses on long-term infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, and resource management, working closely with city leadership to ensure cost-effective and sustainable wastewater treatment solutions. Success in this role is measured by regulatory adherence, operational reliability, effective budgeting, and proactive system management. This job description outlines key responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned or required as necessary.

Supervisory Status:

The Wastewater Superintendent at the City of Kenedy provides direct supervision to the Assistant Wastewater Superintendent and indirect supervision to four (4) wastewater personnel, including treatment plant operators and field staff. The Superintendent ensures regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and infrastructure reliability, overseeing all aspects of wastewater treatment, collection, and environmental protection. This position is responsible for training, performance evaluations, work order management, and emergency response coordination to maintain safe and effective wastewater operations.

Essential Functions:

- Oversee and manage the daily operations of the wastewater treatment plant and collection system, ensuring compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other regulatory standards.

- Supervise and evaluate department personnel, including the Assistant Wastewater Superintendent and wastewater operators, providing leadership, training, and performance oversight to maintain operational efficiency and safety.

- Develop and manage the department’s operational budget, ensuring cost-effective use of personnel, equipment, and resources while maintaining compliance with municipal financial policies.

- Ensure regulatory compliance through accurate reporting and monitoring, including effluent quality testing, system performance tracking, and environmental protection measures, submitting reports to TCEQ and other agencies as required.

- Implement preventative maintenance programs for the wastewater treatment plant, lift stations, and collection system infrastructure, reducing system downtime, improving efficiency, and ensuring the longevity of city assets.

- Lead emergency response efforts, coordinating rapid mitigation and recovery for sewer backups, overflows, equipment failures, and severe weather-related incidents to minimize service disruptions and environmental impact.

Minimum Experience:

· A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment, wastewater collection, or public works operations, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management role.

· Demonstrated ability to prepare regulatory reports, oversee effluent quality testing, and ensure compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) regulations.

· A high school diploma or GED is required.

· Must hold a TCEQ Class B Wastewater Operator License at the time of hire.

· A valid Texas Class C driver’s license.

Preferred Experience:

· Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Water Resource Management, Public Administration, or a related field is preferred and may substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

· TCEQ Class A Wastewater Operator License

· Valid Texas Commercial Driver’s License

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Wastewater treatment and collection system operations, including biological treatment processes, sludge management, and lift station functionality.
• TCEQ, EPA, and municipal wastewater regulations, ensuring compliance with effluent discharge limits, reporting requirements, and environmental protection standards.
• Preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair techniques for wastewater treatment plants, pumps, lift stations, and sewer infrastructure.
• Budgeting, resource management, and procurement processes, ensuring efficient use of personnel, equipment, and operational funding.
• Emergency response protocols for sewer overflows, system failures, and weather-related incidents affecting wastewater infrastructure.

Skills in:

• Leadership and personnel management, supervising, training, and evaluating staff to ensure compliance and operational efficiency.
• Regulatory reporting and compliance monitoring, preparing documentation and submitting reports to TCEQ and other regulatory agencies.
• Analyzing and interpreting effluent quality data, ensuring proper treatment and compliance with discharge limits.
• Project management and scheduling, coordinating preventative maintenance programs and system upgrades.
• Effective communication and public relations, addressing public concerns, coordinating with city leadership, and ensuring transparency in wastewater services.

Ability to:

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of municipal wastewater treatment and collection systems, ensuring uninterrupted service and environmental compliance.
• Interpret and apply complex regulations, maintaining adherence to state and federal wastewater treatment and disposal laws.
• Develop and implement department budgets, managing costs while ensuring the long-term sustainability of infrastructure.
• Lead emergency response efforts, ensuring rapid resolution of system failures and compliance with public health regulations.
• Work independently and collaboratively, making informed decisions that align with city objectives and regulatory requirements.

Work Schedule:
The standard work schedule for the position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, and on-call duties. Due to the nature of municipal wastewater operations, both positions are subject to emergency callouts for sewer overflows, lift station failures, collection system blockages, treatment plant malfunctions, and other infrastructure emergencies that require immediate attention to prevent environmental contamination and ensure public health compliance. The role requires 24/7 on-call availability on a rotating or assigned basis, ensuring a rapid response to sewer backups, equipment failures, compliance violations, and severe weather events affecting the city’s wastewater treatment and collection systems. This is an on-site position with no remote or hybrid work options, as physical presence is required for system monitoring, emergency response, regulatory compliance, and personnel oversight.

Work Environment:

The Wastewater Superintendent works in a combination of office (40%) and field environments (60%), overseeing daily operations, maintenance, and emergency response for the city's wastewater treatment and collection systems. The position requires frequent outdoor work (50%), exposing the employee to extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and high-humidity environments while inspecting treatment facilities, supervising repairs, or responding to system malfunctions. The role involves moderate to high noise levels (40%), particularly in treatment plants, lift stations, and around heavy equipment. Exposure to hazardous conditions (30%) is common, including chemical handling, confined spaces, wastewater exposure, and biohazards, necessitating strict adherence to safety protocols and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This position may require working in elevated areas (10%) or within confined spaces (15%), such as wastewater treatment tanks, lift station vaults, and underground sewer lines. Office-based duties account for 40% of the role, requiring extended periods of sitting, using a computer for regulatory reporting, system monitoring, and coordinating operations with city officials and regulatory agencies.

Physical Demands:

The Wastewater Superintendent role requires a combination of physical activity (60%) and administrative duties (40%), with frequent movement between office settings and field operations. The position involves prolonged periods of standing and walking (50%), particularly when inspecting wastewater infrastructure, supervising repairs, or responding to emergency sewer system failures. The role requires frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and climbing (40%), especially when accessing confined spaces, repairing lift stations, or performing inspections in treatment plants and sewer lines. Lifting and carrying heavy equipment (30%) is required, with occasional lifting of over 50 pounds (15%) when handling tools, pipes, pumps, or system components. Fine motor skills (50%) are necessary for operating tools, adjusting controls, and handling wastewater system components, while gross motor skills (60%) are required for lifting, maneuvering heavy objects, and performing physical tasks in demanding environments. The role also requires reaching, pulling, and pushing (30%) to operate machinery, adjust system components, and complete wastewater infrastructure maintenance tasks. High visual acuity (80%) is essential for reading gauges, analyzing effluent quality reports, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards. Hearing acuity (70%) is required for monitoring alarms, radio communications, and equipment operation in high-noise environments such as treatment plants and lift stations. The position demands stamina and endurance (60%), particularly during emergency responses, extended repair projects, or severe weather events that require rapid intervention. Due to the physical nature of the role, quick reflexes and situational awareness (50%) are essential for ensuring personal and team safety in active work zones and hazardous environments.

Disclaimer:

The City of Kenedy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the City of Kenedy provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment. The City of Kenedy will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Applicants or employees requiring accommodations should contact the City of Kenedy at (830) 583-2230 or via email at applications@kenedytx.gov.

All employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment process, including a drug screening conducted in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, a job-related pre-employment physical examination consistent with ADA requirements, and a criminal history check conducted in accordance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and other applicable fair hiring practices and regulations. Pre-employment screenings, including drug testing and physical examinations, will be conducted in accordance with the ADA and other applicable regulations, ensuring they are job-related and consistent with business necessity. The City of Kenedy will provide applicants with the required notices and obtain written authorization prior to conducting any background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Employment with the City of Kenedy is at-will and may be terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause or notice. This policy may not be altered except by a written agreement signed by the City Manager.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• TCEQ Class C Wastewater Operator License or higher (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $65,000