State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Water Resource Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent (9257FM)

$46.53-$60.25 Hourly / $3,722.38-$4,819.35 BiWeekly /
$97,154.00-$125,785.00 Yearly

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

At the University of Connecticut, Storrs this class functions as a working supervisor accountable for assisting the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent (Class IV Operator) with the operations, maintenance, and the overall performance of the Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), including daily on-site supervision, process control direction, and with any regulatory compliance reports.

GUIDELINES FOR JOB CLASS USE

Within the Water Pollution Control and Water Reclamation Facilities, the Water Resource Recovery Facility Assistant Superintendent (Class III Operator) will serve as a Shift Operator  and Chief Operator in the absence of the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under and receives general direction of the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent  or other employee of higher grade.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Leads, and provides supervision in the absence of the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent to all Water Pollution Control Operators, Water Pollution Control Technicians, Water Pollution Control Trainees, Water Pollution Control Operator Mechanics, student workers, interns and other staff such contractors, vendors, and consultants, etc.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

SUPERVISORY SPECIFIC:

  • Assists the Water Resource Recovery Facility Superintendent with schedules, assignments, oversight, and reviews work of staff; 
  • Provides staff training and assistance; 
  • Conducts performance evaluations; 
  • Determines priorities and plans facility work; 
  • Supervises daily on-site process control direction and overall performance of the Class IV Water Pollution Control Facility; 
  • Oversees operation of a Class IV Water Pollution Control Facility Laboratory; 
  • Writes and ensures adherence to and informs all staff of facility and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); 
  • Supervises and schedules all laboratory testing including yearly performance and/or oversight of the Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) studies for the laboratory’s federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Certification;
  • Performs other related tasks as required and/or assigned.

LAB SPECIFIC:

  • Performs highly skilled biological and chemical analyses of the water pollution control and water reclamation process in accordance with regulations, procedures and standards set forth by Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” compiled and updated by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation; 
  • Calibrates laboratory and testing equipment; 
  • Evaluates, reports and may make decisions regarding primary and secondary treatment as well as process control changes based on laboratory test results and protocols; 
  • Observes, documents and aides in maintaining the health of the biomass conditions based on laboratory and field analysis; 
  • Reports the biomass conditions based on laboratory and field analysis; 
  • Prepares operations and performance reports as required using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS);  
  • Schedules, coordinates and assists with the fats, oils and grease (FOG) inspection and removal program; 
  • Records meters and gauge values and interpret information according to operating characteristics;
  • Maintains and records data capturing facility operations, laboratory tests and analyses using the facilities water data management program; 
  • May perform collection of samples from various sections of treatment plant and must possess the ability to perform biological and chemical tests, prepare reagents and analyze wastewater and reclaimed water for the following, to include, but not limited to: settleable solids, chlorine residuals, temperatures, hydrogen low concentrations (pH), suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, dissolved oxygen (DO), bio-chemical oxygen demand (BOD), total alkalinity, turbidity, mixed liquor evaluation, sample titration, biosolids volume index, total e-coli and coliform tests, etc.; 
  • May make decisions to bring additional equipment on-line or take equipment off-line; 
  • May make adjustments to biology retention time based on condition of incoming flow and biomass conditions using complex mathematical calculations including, but not limited to, mass balance equation, food to micro-organism ratios (F/M), biosolids production rate, biosolids retention time, BOD formulas, pump flow rates, tank volumes and several additional calculations as required for process control; 
  • Performs other related tasks as required and/or assigned.

OPERATIONS SPECIFIC:

  • Performs duties of Class III Operator to include, but not limited to, complex facility operation and repairs, monitoring and maintenance of lift stations as well as performs related duties as required; 
  • Performs a full range of complex duties in the repair, operation, monitoring and maintenance of water pollution control, water reclamation and lift station facilities and equipment; 
  • Responsible for the processing and ultimate disposal of biosolids and reclaimed water processing; 
  • Operates and maintains such equipment as grit chambers, step screens, bar racks, grinders, pumps, chemical dosing systems, Dewatering systems, clarifier tanks, chlorination chambers and others; 
  • Performs complex repairs to and/or replaces all equipment including valves, motors, pipes, pumps and other machinery; 
  • Performs highly skilled biological and chemical analyses of the water pollution control and water reclamation process in accordance with regulations, schedules, coordinates and assists with the fats, oils and grease (FOG) inspection and removal program; 
  • Records meters and gauge values and interpret information according to operating characteristics; 
  • Identifies issues and implements resolutions for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA) alarms based on available information; 
  • Supervises the work and performance of contractors; 
  • Acts as a liaison with other departments, agencies and officials, internally and externally, regarding policies, procedures, maintenance and repairs to Water Pollution Control collection systems, lift stations and equipment; 
  • Prepares operational records, reports and correspondence; 
  • Adheres to federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements as well as University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) policies; 
  • Maintains cleanliness and organizational standards consistent within water pollution control facilities; 
  • Authorizes and/or supervises emergency or preventative maintenance shut-down and or start-ups; 
  • Makes budget conscious recommendations for equipment purchases or contractual repairs; 
  • Answers inquiries with regard to university user services to ensure customer satisfaction and proper system functions; 
  • May make recommendations on policies, procedures and/or standards; 
  • Performs other related tasks as required and/or assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of, understanding and application of the operations of a large, multi-treatment water pollution control facility including water reclamation; 
  • Considerable knowledge and understanding of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations, permit requirements and guidelines as they relate to the Clean Water Act and compliance with the University’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES); 
  • Considerable knowledge of
    • principles, methods and procedures of wastewater and water reclamation chemistry and understanding of sampling procedures used in laboratory analyses of wastewater and reclaimed water set forth by “Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater” laboratory practices, procedures and methods; 
    • federal and state Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); 
    • wastewater and reclaimed water organizations and training resources; 
    • and ability to utilize computer software programs such as, but not limited to, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, water data management program, and Computerized  Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS); 
    • nitrification/denitrification processes; 
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • repair and maintain pumps, tanks and other equipment used in wastewater and water reclamation treatment; 
    • perform all lower-level Water Pollution Control Operator duties including laboratory, operations, and maintenance; 
    • maintain thorough and accurate operational and maintenance records; 
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

  • Experience in the operation and maintenance of a Class II, or higher, biological wastewater treatment facility, as required by the DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, as found below.
  • At least one (1) year of experience in the operation of a Class II, or higher, wastewater treatment facility with direct responsible charge experience as a shift operator or process control operator at a Class II wastewater treatment facility.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class are required to possess at the time of hire a Class III Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certificate in accordance with the regulations of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
  • Incumbents in this class are required by DEEP to possess and retain appropriate current certifications, licenses or permits, as required by the DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.
  • Incumbents in this class are required to possess and retain specific education and/or experience to meet various certification requirements.
NOTE: DEEP Regulations: An Applicant for Class III Wastewater Treatment Facility Operator Certification shall: (A) submit satisfactory evidence of (i) at least four years of experience in the operation of a wastewater treatment facility of Class II or higher; (ii) a high school diploma or G.E.D.; and (iii) successful completion of higher education equivalent to at least 90 CEUs in a field determined by the commissioner to be related to the operation of a wastewater treatment facility; and (B) pass the Class III examination. Substitution of additional documented higher education training and coursework for minimum operating experience allowed as approved by DEEP per DEEP Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
  • A physical examination may be required.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to extreme weather conditions in all seasons, highly disagreeable effects of waste, loud and potentially dangerous machinery and working with chemicals; may be required to lift moderately heavy weights and work in uncomfortable positions.

JOB CLASS DESIGNATION

Classified/Non-Examined

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP

(16)-Labor-Trades, Laundry

BARGAINING UNIT

(06)-SERVICE/MAINT (NP-2)

EEO

(8)-Service Maintenance

SALARY INFORMATION

FM 28

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.

CANCELLATION CLAUSE

This replaces the existing title and specification for the class of Water Pollution Control Supervisor 1 (RC) in Salary Group FM 22 approved effective March 4, 2023. (Reactivation of class, retitle, and adjust salary group as a result of the NP-2 OJE Study Stipulated Agreement, modernize format, and add Acknowledgement section) Item No. 23-190R Item No. 23-207

EFFECTIVE DATE

05/19/2023
CLASS: 9257FM; EST: 11/13/2015; REV: 8/30/2023;