WWTP Operations Supervisor

Salary : $84,219.20 - $102,356.80 Annually Location : City of Merced Public Works Department, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 1370 Department: Public Works Opening Date: 01/21/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Description Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION Under general direction, supervise, assign, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for the operation and inspection of the City's wastewater treatment plant; ensure work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and perform the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The WWTP Operations Supervisor is considered a supervisory level with responsibility for planning, coordinating and implementing an assigned area of wastewater functions and operations and performs a variety of maintenance, operations, and repair work on the City's wastewater treatment system and facilities. This position contributes to the overall management of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Division by participating in the development of policies and procedures and participating in the development and monitoring of budgets. REPORTS TO Public Works Manager-Wastewater or designee. CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators, Maintenance Workers, and other staff as assigned. Examples of DutiesREPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices. Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, review, and participate in the work of staff responsible for the operation and inspection of the City's wastewater treatment plant; ensure treatment processes meet Federal and State wastewater quality standards. Establish schedules and methods for providing wastewater treatment plant services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; and allocate resources accordingly. Participate in the development and implementation of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities and make recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; and monitor work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. Participate in the selection of assigned staff; provide or coordinate staff training; promote progressive staff certification; work with employees to correct deficiencies; and implement discipline procedures. Participate in the preparation and administration of the wastewater treatment plant program budget; submit budget recommendations; and monitor expenditures. Perform the most technical and complex tasks of the work unit including responsibility for a delegated area of wastewater functions and operations. Perform training of hazardous material and emergency response procedures as required by regulatory agencies. Monitor wastewater treatment system operations, interpreting charts, gauges and laboratory results of samples, noting operational problems and recommending adjustments to maintain system balance; provide direction for process control decisions to ensure compliance with regulatory discharge requirements. Assist in maintaining facility compliance with regulatory discharge requirements including National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Manage inventory of materials and equipment used in the operations of plant and ancillary facilities; prepare requisitions for tools, equipment, supplies and services. Manage Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system optimization. Advise the Public Works Manager-Wastewater of the status of the plant and staff. Inspect pumps, sump pumps, ventilators, and air supplies. Coordinate sampling operations to assure proper balance of treatment steps and meeting effluent requirements. Operate a variety of equipment, testing equipment and hand and power tools. Perform any of the duties assigned to plant operators as needed; perform skilled work in these activities and provide technical direction as needed. Give plant tours to visitors, consultants, the general public and others as necessary. Assist in developing and overseeing the daily walk through sheets, process control logs, and trending graphs to maintain accurate, well organized files, records, and data related to department operations. Forecast and schedule major projects seasonally and as needed. Ensure a high standard of facility appearance and cleanliness of equipment. Review laboratory data and self-monitoring reports to ensure accuracy; provide narrative to qualify any instances of non-compliance. Coordinate safety meetings to include safety topic review, safety issues, status updates on various projects, process control, future development and permit review to ensure understanding of priorities and responsibility. May oversee the farming operations of the land application program; forecast crop rotations to ensure biosolid nutrient removal and marketability of crops; and ensure staff properly maintains equipment, farm implements, roadways, canal banks, and fire abatement discing on City owned lots. Perform after-hours emergency work related to plant operations as necessary. Maintain records concerning operations and programs; prepare reports on operations and activities; and prepare monthly operations and standby schedules. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; maintain awareness of new trends and developments in the field of wastewater treatment; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs; and ensure staff stays current with new developments in methods and technology. Perform related duties as required. Typical QualificationsQUALIFICATIONS The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Knowledge of: Operations, services, and activities of a wastewater treatment plant program. Principles and practices of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic principles related to wastewater treatment operations, disposal systems, and facility operations. Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation. Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Principles of business letter writing and basic preparation of comprehensive administrative and technical documents, reports, and presentations. Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, regulations and environmental requirements including those applicable to the operation of a wastewater treatment facility. Current principles, practices, and regulations related to the treatment processes of the wastewater plant, including standard quality tests. Operation of pumps, motors, valves, metering control systems and chemical feed equipment. Occupational hazards and standard safety practices pertaining to plant operations. Methods and techniques for handling and storing hazardous chemicals. Chemistry, biology, and mathematics used in the operation of a wastewater treatment plant. Practices, tools, equipment, materials, and chemicals used in wastewater treatment system operation, maintenance, repair work, effluent disposal, agriculture and construction. Principles and methods of preventive maintenance programs. Principles and practices of wastewater collection. Principles and practices of design, planning and development of wastewater treatment facilities. Principles and practices of cost, time and materials estimating. Principles, objectives, and tests used in a wastewater treatment plant biochemical laboratory. Principles and practices of biosolids sampling and land application. Principles and practices of agriculture including field cultivation planting, fertilization, irrigation, and harvesting. Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. Ability to: Coordinate and direct wastewater treatment programs. Supervise, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in the operation and inspection of the City's wastewater treatment plant. Select, train, assign, direct, and evaluate staff. Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing wastewater treatment services. Understand the organization and operation of the organization and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities. Understand, interpret, explain, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations. Prepare clear and concise reports. Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets. Develop and coordinate work programs and schedules. Perform mathematical calculations. Operate, adjust, and maintain wastewater treatment systems. Read, interpret and record data accurately. Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines. Learn more complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to wastewater plant operations and communicate that information to others. Manage and monitor complex wastewater treatment systems. Collect samples and conduct basic laboratory tests. Maintain accurate records and reports. Safely and effectively operate various tools and equipment. Analyze and interpret laboratory tests and make modifications to wastewater treatment plant operations and take corrective and preventive measures. Diagnose, troubleshoot, evaluate alternatives, and solve complex technical problems. Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Effectively represent the City to outside individuals and agencies to accomplish the goals and objectives of the unit. Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies. Respond tactfully, clearly, concisely, and appropriately to inquiries from the public, City staff, or other agencies on sensitive issues in area of responsibility. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Education/Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in wastewater treatment plant operations and/or maintenance. Completion of an Associate's degree with major coursework in a related field is highly desirable. Experience: Six years of experience in the operation, monitoring, testing, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment facilities and systems at a level equivalent to Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator III with the City of Merced or pursuant to Title 23, Division 3, SWRCB, Chapter 26, Classification of Wastewater Treatment Plants and Operator Certification. License or Certificate: Possession of an appropriate California Driver License. Possession of a Grade III Wastewater Plant Operator certificate or higher issued from the California State Water Resource Control Board with the ability to obtain a Grade IV certificate within eighteen (18) months of employment. Special Requirements: Willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed for emergencies. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions herein 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 these essential job functions. Environment: Work is performed in a wastewater treatment plant and outdoor environment; may work in a shop or office environment; exposure to varying temperatures and inclement weather conditions including wet and/or humid conditions; exposure to noise, dust, grease, hazardous materials, smoke, gases, and fumes; work around water or wastewater; work on slippery surfaces; exposure to hazards such as moving machine parts and electrical current; and continuous contact with other staff. Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a wastewater treatment plant and outdoor environment; occasionally sit and frequently stand, walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach, and twist; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds; work while wearing respiratory protection equipment; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; operate a variety of hand and power equipment, and testing equipment used in the wastewater treatment system monitoring, maintenance, adjustments, and operations; and use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, and FAX. Health and Welfare Benefits Up to $846.67 per pay period towards the following benefits: Medical - Choice of Anthem Blue Cross plans Dental - Choice of Delta Dental plans Vision - Choice of VSP vision plans Life - Pays amount equal to one year's salary up to $50,000 Disability - Choice of Long Term Disability coverage Vacation Years 1-5 earn vacation at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 192 hours Years 6-9 earn vacation at rate of 4.616 hours per pay period up to maximum of 240 hours Years 10-15 earn vacation at rate of 6.160 hours per pay period up to maximum of 320 hours Years 16-20 earn vacation at rate of 6.928 hours per pay period up to maximum of 360 Years 21-25 earn vacation at rate of 7.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 400 hours Years 26+ earn vacation at rate of 9.232 hours per pay period up to maximum of 480 hours Sick Leave Sick leave is earned at rate of 3.696 hours per pay period up to maximum of 1056 hours Longevity Pay 10 Years - 1.5% of base hourly rate of pay. 15 Years - 3.0% of base hourly rate of pay. 20 Years - 4.5% of base hourly rate of pay. 25 Years - 6.0% of base hourly rate of pay. Admin Leave Management Supervisory employees receive 5 days per calendar year. Holidays 14 paid holidays Retirement CalPERS Retirement at either 2% at 60 or 2% at 62 for Miscellaneous employees and CalPERS Retirement at either 3% at 55 or 2.7% at 57 for Public Safety employees depending on previous CalPERS or reciprocal employment. ICMA-RC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan available. Other Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union Membership "Healthy Life, Wealthy Life" Wellness Program.

Created: 2026-03-04