Wastewater Plant Manager

Crystal Springs Treatment is seeking an individual to lead our operations team. Principal duties will include managing the daily operations and maintenance Crystal Springs Treatment facility in Milwaukee, WI. Previous experience in wastewater operations is preferred; however, all levels of experience will be considered. Duties will include operating plant treatment equipment/processes, process control testing, permit testing, preventative maintenance and inspection of associated equipment, and completion and submittal of required records and reports. The ideal candidate will have a mechanical aptitude and possess basic math skills, the ability to multi-task, a knowledge of MS Word and Excel, the ability to read and interpret related DNR codes, work well with others, and feel comfortable communicating with other team members. This position requires the ability to stand for several hours at a time, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, twist, lift up to 50 lbs., and to maintain a clean and organized plant. The candidate must be willing to use appropriate safety equipment when required. This is a full-time position with a work schedule during weekdays with some weekend work required.

Oversee day-to-day wastewater treatment process operations. This position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements. Plans, coordinates, and supervises the activities of the process engineering work group to ensure safe, efficient, reliable treatment of wastewater before sending into the Milwaukee Metro Sewerage District. The role includes providing technical expertise for wastewater treatment process operations and future planning. This position also guides planning for long-term and immediate operational needs, responds to emergencies, and coordinates work with other team members and contractors. This position ensures adherence to safety protocols and directly supervises other members of the treatment plant team to ensure adhesion to rules and regulations.

Critical Qualities:

• Agility: Demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, priorities, and environments while maintaining high performance and a positive attitude allowing for a culture of continuous improvement and decision-making that drives results.

Team Leadership and Development: Proven ability to lead and develop a diverse team with varying specializations. Success requires fostering collaboration, providing mentorship, and maintaining high-performance standards while supporting professional growth.

• Technically-skilled and detail-oriented: Has the ability to identify problems, research and analyze information, develop and present recommendations, and provide solutions. Skilled at generating and utilizing complex information for technical analysis and decision-making.
• Critical Thinker: Digs into questions and problems. Looks for omissions, errors, and misinterpretations in the work. Habitually asks a variety of questions and uses a variety of thinking techniques. Sees new perspectives and new ways forward. Helps others think critically.
• Collaborative: Builds healthy, productive working relationships and thrives in a team environment. Supports staff to achieve success.

Job Duties:
-_ Supervision of Treatment Plant Operations_

• Supervise daily process operations of the wastewater pretreatment plant.
• Troubleshoot treatment plant issues and provide solutions as needed.
• Ensure that all provisions of the District’s Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit, air permit, and any other permitting regulatory obligations are being met.
• Support regulatory compliance programs in other departments including pollution prevention, pretreatment, hauled waste, laboratory operations, and environmental monitoring.
• Support maintenance programs for reliable operations
• Supervise treatment plant research focused on efficient wastewater treatment and operational technology.
• Supervise day-to-day operations and daily/weekly work projects.
• Supervise and lead regulatory responsibilities and reporting requirements such as WPDES reporting

- Supervision and Development of Staff

• Participate in the hiring of new individuals.
• Establish performance standards, conduct evaluations, and provide professional development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of high standards, reliability, pride in work, and customer service. Sets clear work group expectations and goals and aligns teams to those goals. Train, coach, and manage employees to meet or exceed those goals.
• Foster and develop a collaborative environment promoting knowledge sharing and improvement, with supervisors autonomously managing their teams to reduce emergency work and increase overall efficiency.

— Mitigating and Managing Risk

• Promote and maintain a safe work environment by ensuring that all operations are aware of and follow applicable District policies and procedures related to worker safety.
• Ensure compliance with all occupational safety regulations and promote a culture of safety excellence throughout the department.
• Establish and enforce safety programs and procedures for the treatment plant department. Develop and maintain policies and procedures ensuring safety protocol compliance.

— Promoting and Managing External Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with regulatory agencies.
• Remain current on new technologies and developments in the wastewater treatment field including participating in professional organizations and attending meetings/conferences as necessary to ensure that the District remains up to date on issues that may impact plant operations.
• Manage and support regulatory reporting requirements.

— Miscellaneous Support of Department & Other Duties as Assigned

• Serve occasionally as backup coverage during planned and unplanned absences as required.
• Pursue additional learning opportunities to improve technical skills.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders through clear communication, collaboration, and responsive engagement.
• Perform related work and other duties as required.

Previous wastewater management is preferred but not required.

Healthcare / Dental / Vision

401k Plan

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Please describe your experience with wastewater treatment, industrial plant operations, environmental compliance, or a similar technical setting.
• Have you worked with regulatory permits, compliance testing, operational records, or required agency reporting? If so, which ones?
• Are you available to work full-time weekdays, provide occasional weekend or emergency coverage, and serve as backup during planned or unplanned absences?
• Briefly describe a time you identified an operational, mechanical, safety, or compliance problem and what you did to resolve it.
• How many years of experience do you have supervising, training, or leading employees?

No leadership experience, Less than 1 year, 1–3 years or More than 3 years

Work Location: In person