Water and Wastewater Coordinator/Chief Plant Operator

$140,692.76 - $171,018.61 Annually

The Water and Wastewater Operations team at Sonoma Water is seeking an enthusiastic, collaborative, and reliable Water and Wastewater Coordinator/Chief Plant Operator with substantial experience in the water and wastewater utility industry.  Highly qualified candidates for this position will be innovative, lifelong learners with a passion for personal and professional growth. Under the supervision, of the Water/Wastewater Operations Manager, this position plans and schedules work priorities and directs, supervises, and evaluates the work of employees working in water and wastewater treatment plants, water production facilities, water transmission facilities, and related systems; these employees also perform laboratory testing, maintenance, and repairs on these facilities.

Requirement: To be considered qualified for this position, possession of a California Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T5 certificate and Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I certificate or California Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 certificate and Wastewater Plant Operator Grade IV certificate is required at the time of application submission.

The Water/Wastewater Coordinator/Chief Plant Operator is also responsible for:

• Co-managing staff  that is dual certified in water and wastewater operations
• Preparing reports to Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Division of Drinking Water, and other agencies
• Evaluating and contributing to master plans and operational priorities with engineering staff
• Ensuring permit and biological opinion compliance
• Preparing and monitoring operational budgets
• Investigating complaints and inquiries from the public

The ideal candidate will have:

• Significant operational knowledge of Water and Wastewater systems
• Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems
• Supervisory experience, including the ability to schedule and coordinate staff work
• Collaborative skills, dependability, and enthusiasm
• Strong mentoring and teaching skills

What We Offer

Working at Sonoma Water offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
 

• Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $1700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
• May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

About Sonoma Water
 
Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of the following divisions Engineering and Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Community and Government Affairs, Water and Wastewater Operations, Maintenance, and Administrative Services. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water conservation and fishery restoration programs.

Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of the Sonoma County Water Agency, a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance and Rules of the County of Sonoma.

The formal title for this position is Water Agency Coordinator. 

This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Water and Wastewater Coordinator/Chief Plant Operator position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, five years of recent experience in construction, maintenance, and inspection projects, and/or in flood control and/or in water and wastewater treatment and disposal; and/or in engineering and/or in public works project experience; and/or in water and wastewater laboratory procedures, and/or in installing, maintaining, repairing, calibrating and replacing electrical equipment and machinery, including one year of experience in a supervisory capacity or two years of experience in a lead capacity, would provide such opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Water/Wastewater Operations:

Incumbent must possess a California Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T5 certificate and Wastewater Plant Operator Grade I certificate or California Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 certificate and Wastewater Plant Operator Grade IV certificate is required. A California Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T5 certificate and Wastewater Plant Operator Grade IV certificate must be obtained within six years. A California Water Distribution Operator certificate Grade D3 is highly desirable.

Education

Maintenance Mechanic Services/Maintenance Worker Services/Water/Wastewater Operations:

Academic course work, which directly relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Course work in planning, engineering, physical or biological sciences or a four-year college degree is highly desired.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: occupational hazards and modern safety practice in the operation of water and wastewater facilities and in the maintenance of flood control channels; preventive maintenance requirements; effective utilization and standards for vehicles, light and heavy equipment, machines and power and hand tools; effective methods of supervision and of training personnel; organizational and occupational safety practices and procedures especially those connected with work on high voltage, electrical, mechanical equipment, equipment operating under high pressure and chlorination equipment.

Thorough knowledge of: methods, materials, tools and equipment used in Water Agency projects; principles and techniques of effective supervision and training.

In addition to the knowledge listed above, incumbents must possess additional knowledge, identified below, depending on job assignment.

Water/Wastewater Operations:

Thorough knowledge of: methods, materials, tools and equipment used in water and wastewater treatment and disposal operational activities; laboratory testing procedures.

Working Knowledge of:  generally accepted methods of management and administration; budgeting and financial considerations pertaining to operations and maintenance, and working within established budgets; budgeting and financial considerations pertaining to maintenance and construction projects; and requisition procedures.

Ability to: plan, schedule, and coordinate the work of a large group of entry-level, semi-skilled, skilled and supervisory and lead personnel; analyze situations and adopt effective course of action; develop, conduct and/or coordinate training, employee evaluations, and industrial safety programs; deal tactfully, effectively and harmoniously with employees, co-workers, other County departments, other public agencies, and the public; use electric meters and a variety of mechanical tools; interpret field engineering drawings and sketches; perform basic mathematical and geometric calculations; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; maintain records and write reports; keep abreast of current developments in the fields of water distribution centers/wastewater systems/laboratory science/telemetry and programmed logic controls/flood control; prepare requisitions of supplies and materials; prepare clear and concise written reports; and speak, read and write English at a level appropriate to job success; learn and understand considerations needed for stream maintenance and re-vegetation projects in urban and natural settings compatible with the desired function of flood control; and learn and understand Federal, State and local laws, regulations, current programs and court decisions pertaining to environmental protection.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.