COMMENTS:  The City of Coos Bay is soliciting applications for the position of Wastewater Superintendent.  To apply for the position, interested parties should submit a city application, resume, and letter of interest to the City Manager’s Office.  City applications are available from the City Manager’s Office, City Hall, 500 Central Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon 97420, by telephone 541-269-8912, or listed under Government, Job Openings on the City’s website www.coosbay.org 

The deadline for receiving completed applications is 5:00 p.m., February 22, 2021. Applications postmarked on or by February 22, 2021 will be accepted.  Please include a valid e-mail address where you can be contacted.  All notifications regarding your status in the selection process will be made via electronic mail.  

The City of Coos Bay is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, handicap or any other non-merit factor.  If reasonable accommodation is required to complete the application process, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 541-269-8912 during the hours of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: The wastewater superintendent is responsible for the overall operation, administration, and supervision of programs, activities, and functions related to the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all wastewater and storm water collection, transmission, and treatment facilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general guidance of the city engineer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Exercises full supervision over employees engaged in the operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of the wastewater treatment plant, collection system (sewer and storm), and related facilities. The direct reports for this position can include but may not be limited to: administrative assistant, operations supervisor, and collection/maintenance supervisor.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK:  An employee in this classification may perform any of the following duties.  The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification.  Any of the following duties may be performed.  These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.

1. Provides senior level management for all activities associated with wastewater treatment operations, collection system management, and maintenance and repair activities, as well as surface water management.
2. Supervises and coordinates activities of operations, maintenance, and surface water personnel to ensure effective and efficient use of personnel, and effective operational strategies. Supervises performance of operations staff performing process control, plant operations, laboratory testing, collection systems maintenance and repair, mechanical maintenance, and grounds and building maintenance activities; oversees the management of quality control processes; coordinates resources between work groups; provides technical assistance, training, and advice in operation, maintenance, and repair activities. As necessary, coordinates with the special districts that the city serves (Bunkerhill Sanitary District and Charleston Sanitary District). 
3. Develops, implements, and maintains management programs and strategies for such activities as wastewater treatment facility operations, surface water management program operations, bio-solids reuse, industrial wastes, hazard communications, emergency response, employee safety, etc., as necessary and/or required by federal, state or local law. Participates in the development and implementation of organization policies, goals, objectives and standards; directs and coordinates long and short-range planning for wastewater treatment facilities, and surface water management facilities operation; supervises the preparation of annual work programs.
4. Reviews operational, maintenance, and laboratory reports; analyzes operational efficiencies and program implementation; institutes improvement measures as appropriate; prepares and submits detailed operational reports. Reviews and approves requisitions for materials and equipment; assesses purchasing program effectiveness; conducts value analysis.
5. Plans, directs, and coordinates services provided by wastewater collection, transmission and treatment facilities, surface water management facilities staff; participates in negotiating NPDES, DEQ, and other permit requirements and discharge standards with applicable agencies, ensures provision of services is in compliance with federal and state statutes, rules, regulations and permits, including those relating to safety and environmental quality. Confers with representatives of local, city, county, state, and federal agencies as required.
6. Promotes wastewater treatment facility activities and programs with business associations, citizen groups and the public; evaluates and responds to inquiries and complaints from customers, employees and other government agencies; represents the city at conferences and meetings.
7. Develops operations budget together with justifications; controls operations expenditures in accordance with adopted budgets.
8. Participates with management and engineering staff in planning, designing, and implementing capital improvement projects to enlarge or enhance wastewater and surface water treatment, collection, and transmission facilities; recommends capital expenditure budgets; reviews and approves expenditures and capital equipment purchases; monitors cost and production data.
9. Makes recommendations for new hires and terminations of technical, operations and maintenance staff employees as required; provides for training; formally evaluates work performance of every operations employee at least annually; recommends and administers progressive discipline; conducts and/or facilitates staff training and development programs; promotes cooperative team efforts among staff; assists in resolving disputes and grievances of subordinates; and motivates employees to provide quality service to citizens.
10. Develops and implements safety policies, programs, practices and reporting; ensures that safe working conditions, working habits, policies, and practices are followed. Develops and implements effective loss control programs.
11. Applies, enforces and assures compliance with city policies, practices, rules, regulations, and ordinances.
12. Assists the Engineering Division, as requested, with the preparation of reports, including data collection, analysis and presentation. Participates in studies, design review and short- and long-range planning processes.  Assists in the review and analysis of the impact of new regulatory requirements on operating practices; recommends department position on regulatory and legislative issues.
13. Provides leadership to develop and retain highly competent, service-oriented staff through selection, compensation, training and day-to-day management practices that support the city's mission, objectives and service expectations; provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and positive employee relations environment.
14. Demonstrates understanding and good judgment in the evaluation of complex technical and/or financial information and alternatives related to collection system management and policy development.
15. Serves as a member of various city committees as assigned.
16. Represents the City of Coos Bay by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and delivers the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
17. Studies, develops, and implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) to improve the efficiency and safety of division's activities. Develops and implements training programs for staff related to proper procedures and evaluates performance.
18. Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.
19. Performs other special tasks as assigned.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

 Knowledge, Skill and Ability: Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment; surface water management; machinery, equipment, materials, and operating, maintenance and repair practices used in wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment systems; and chemical and physical processes involved in activated sludge type wastewater treatment.  Thorough knowledge of the principles of public administration including personnel management; federal, state and local environmental regulations, permits, and discharge standards; occupational hazards and safety precautions applicable to wastewater treatment and surface water management facilities; technical report writing; basic computer applications and management information systems.

Skill in: planning and implementation of management goals, objectives and standards; establishing priorities; developing and participating in negotiating NPDES permit discharge standards; planning, developing, and implementing improvements in wastewater treatment processes; resolving technical problems; analyzing comprehensive technical reports and records; reviewing and monitoring operating budgets; interpreting and applying appropriate regulations, codes and safety standards; preparing and maintaining accurate records and reports; communicating effectively, both orally and in writing; motivating employees to provide quality service to citizens; directing staff in continuous efforts to improve quality, productivity and effectiveness; incorporating team participation in decision making; responding to changes requested by city staff; establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with the public, and government agencies; managing a diverse workgroup and diverse programs; applying the principles of supervision; oral and written communications; planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling.

Ability to: lay out, supervise, and inspect the work of a number of skilled and semiskilled workers in a manner conducive to good performance and high morale; ability to supervise the maintenance, overhaul and repair of wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment systems, and related facilities; ability to maintain records and produce periodic reports; ability to effectively analyze reports and data; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, employees, superiors and the general public; and ability to respond after hours.  After (regular) hours work may be required as this position is considered “First Response” along with normal attendance at regularly scheduled shifts.  This exempt position is not eligible for overtime compensation for extra hours worked over the normal 40-hour workweek.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  An employee in this position must have the ability to read and interpret complex regulations; to multi-task and complete work in a timely and accurate manner; to work independently; to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Must have a thorough knowledge of modern principles, practices and techniques in NPDES permits, and administration especially in the area of wastewater treatment and collections.  Must be able to develop and maintain positive cooperative team-oriented relationships with co-workers, supervisors, managers, and other you come in contact with.  The employee in this position shall not unduly risk the health or safety of themselves or others in the workplace.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years’ experience in the management of operations and maintenance of a wastewater collection system, medium sized secondary wastewater treatment plant, or other similar facility, of which at least three must include levels of progressively responsible experience; familiarity with computers and computer systems including software for word processing, data handling and operations management; degree from an accredited four year college/university in engineering, environmental science, public administration, or other related field; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training.  Possession of a Class Wastewater Treatment (WWT) IV certificate as issued by Oregon's Mandatory Wastewater Systems Operators' Certification Program, or ability to obtain within six months of appointment.  Possession of a Wastewater Collections (WWC) III (or greater) certificate as issued by Oregon's Mandatory Wastewater Systems Operators' Certification Program or the ability to obtain within twelve months of appointment.  The Wastewater Superintendent must have possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of employment. 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:  In the performance of job duties, the employee will use a personal computer and various software programs; computerized maintenance management system; motor vehicle; calculator; base radio; phone; copy and fax machines; and other related tools and equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here (including lifting, mobility, movement, manual dexterity) are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  In the performance of job duties, the employee will work primarily in an office setting.  A moderate amount of outdoor work is required. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and smell.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required of this job include close, distance, color and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.  Manual dexterity and coordination are required to perform the work. This is used while operating equipment such as computer keyboards, calculator, telephones.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment and working conditions described here are representative of those that are typical of the job and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  In the performance of the job duties, the employee will work in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The field work environment frequently involves machinery and construction noise.

GUIDELINES: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

HIRING PROCESS:  Applicants must complete and submit the required city application packet by 5:00 p.m. February 22, 2021 as specified in this job announcement.  All applicants will be notified of the final status of their application.

Application Acceptance Period: ...............................Jan. 21^st – Feb. 22^nd

Review of Applications: ............................................Feb. 23^rd – Feb. 26^th

Interviews with Selected Candidates: .......................March 1^st – March 5^th

Follow-up Interviews (as needed): ............................March 8^th – March 12^th

Probable Date for Offer of Employment: ...................March 15^th – March 19^th

Projected Start Date: .................................................April 5^th

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:  Employees work in a strong team-oriented environment and receive a generous employee benefit package which includes eleven paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, long term disability, medical, dental and vision insurance, and retirement through the Public Employees Retirement System. The City pays 90% of the medical and dental insurance premium for the employee and their family. 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMMUNITY:  Information about the City of Coos Bay and the Bay Area is available at http://www.coosbay.org.