WATER PLANTS MANAGER

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering exceptional service to its residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

 About the Milwaukee Water Works
Owned by the City of Milwaukee and under the policy direction of the Mayor and the Common Council, the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) is a national leader in providing high-quality, healthy drinking water. The MWW adheres to regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for facilities, operations and water quality. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) sets water rates and service charges and monitors the MWW’s accounting. The MWW purifies Lake Michigan water to provide fresh drinking water to 866,993 people in 15 communities in Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha Counties.

For more information about the MWW, please visit: https://city.milwaukee.gov/water

The Water Plants Manager oversees the operations, budget, and projects for the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) treatment plants, pumping stations, booster stations, and water storage tanks, ensuring the provision of the highest quality drinking water to the City of Milwaukee and fifteen neighboring communities.

Personnel Management

• Provide management oversight of the three functional units within the Plants Section, which includes water treatment/systems operations, maintenance and electrical services at MWW’s two water treatment plants.
• Lead unit managers in the planning, development, and implementation of new systems, programs, action plans, policy and procedures, and projects impacting Plant Section operations.
• Manage Plants Section employees to ensure compliance with safety regulations, standard operating procedures, and work rules.
• Provide training opportunities to meet regulatory requirements; encourage continuing education and skill building.
• Set the tone for a professional work culture and foster a positive work environment that values diversity and allows staff to thrive.
• Hire personnel, provide coaching, prepare performance reviews, administer performance improvement plans, and recommend disciplinary action, when needed.

Plant Operations Management

• Recommend, implement, and document process flow improvements by maintaining up-to-date procedural manuals for the Plants Section operations.
• Collaborate with the Water Quality Section to ensure the water treatment processes are properly monitored and meet both performance and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with the Water Quality Section to plan research projects and water quality training opportunities for Plants Section staff.
• Collaborate with the Water Security and Emergency Response Manager to ensure MWW treatment plants and pumping/storage facilities comply with MWW and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations for critical infrastructure.

Budget and Project Management

• Prepare and monitor the Plants Section operating and capital improvement project budget.
• Provide guidance and leadership of capital improvement projects within the Plants Section.
• Review engineering plans and specifications to minimize plant disruptions, optimize plant performance, and ensure compliance with Federal, state, local, and MWW water treatment regulations and standards.

Report Management

• Direct and review periodic reporting for regulatory and internal purposes.
• Lead MWW’s participation and efforts with the Partnership for Safe Water (PSW) to identify and implement methods to optimize the water treatment and distribution system.

Procurement

• Write specifications for the procurement of chemicals, commodities and vendor services.
• Evaluate and approve bids and proposals.
• Manage, coordinate and approve Plants Section contracts and service orders.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The Water Plants Manager is required to file a statement of economic interests in accordance with the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances Chapter 303-Code of Ethics.
• Must be able to work for extended hours to respond to emergencies.
• Must be able to travel from one MWW location to another in variable weather conditions.
• Must be able to supervise an around-the-clock, 365-day-per-year operation.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Five years of professional experience in water treatment, water quality, or water engineering management, including two years performing related duties in a supervisory capacity.
3. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Municipal Waterworks Operator Certification Subclass S (Surface Water) by the end of the probationary period and throughout employment.
4. Valid Wisconsin driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment. (Private automobile allowance may be paid pursuant to Section 350-183 of the Milwaukee Code.)

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• WDNR Municipal Waterworks Operator Certification Subclass D (Distribution).
• Experience managing staff in a 24-7-365 capacity.

Technical

• Knowledge of drinking water treatment processes, such as chemical feed systems and dosing, ozone generation, filtration and sedimentation processes, and water storage and pumping.
• Knowledge and understanding of water chemistry concepts and activities.
• Ability to estimate expenses, project costs, and prepare budgetary recommendations.
• Ability to read and interpret work-related documents, data and information.
• Ability to learn and master the application of WDNR and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water regulations.
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel and Outlook) and other database applications.
• Ability to learn and effectively utilize proprietary software and databases, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), eLogger, and MWW’s asset management system.

Communication and Interpersonal

• Verbal communication and presentation skills to effectively provide information and interact with various audiences, including City officials, residents, outside agencies and contractors.
• Written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, concise and error-free documents, including correspondence, reports and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to interact with others in a courteous, tactful and concerned manner with the appropriate level of information, explanation and professionalism.
• Ability to establish effective and collaborative teams and maintain good working relationships with managers, staff, vendors and other departments and agencies.
• Ability to work cooperatively and fairly with others whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own.

Leadership and Management

• Knowledge of leadership and management principles.
• Ability to effectively lead, mentor, develop, guide and foster career development for a multi-unit section consisting of technical, skilled trades and administrative support personnel.
• Ability to learn and enforce City of Milwaukee, Department of Public Works (DPW), and MWW work rules, policies, procedures, and safety rules and regulations.
• Ability to delegate work effectively, monitor section operations, and address sensitive employee issues.
• Ability to coach and motivate employees and promote an environment that is resilient yet conducive to productive change.
• Ability to foster an environment of inclusion wherein all employees are treated respectfully, are valued for their strengths and feel that they can safely express themselves.

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Ability to think critically, analyze problems, determine action plans and apply solutions.
• Planning, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within tight time constraints.
• Ability to be detail-oriented and maintain a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure, use sound judgment, take decisive action and know when to consult with property authorities in any particular situation.
• Commitment to professional development and staying abreast of best practices in water treatment and distribution.
• Ability to perform work with professionalism, honesty, integrity, and sensitivity while safeguarding City resources and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to comprehend the weight of MWW’s responsibility for producing high-quality drinking water that meets or exceeds regulations and standards.

The current salary range (Pay Range 1NX) is $140,957-$154,280 annually, and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $145,186-$158,909 annually. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval. 

BENEFITS

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job-related and will consist of one or more of the following: an evaluation of education, experience, and/or responses to supplemental questions; a written or performance test, a structured interview, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to structured interviews and performance examinations. Structured interviews may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.

INITIAL FILING DATE - The selection process will be held as soon as practical after the deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the City's needs have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the selection process components. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative selection process dates or times. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobapscloud.com/MIL.
• If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 101

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.