Wastewater Operations Manager I

Job Appointment: Full-Time
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7 am-3:30 pm. An alternate schedule may be available.
Work Location: 5001 N. Columbia Boulevard., PORTLAND OR
Benefits: Please check our benefit tab for an overview of benefits for this position.
 
Application Material: Please click APPLY to submit your application via the City of Portland’s online portal. You will need to respond to the supplemental questions and attach a resume.  

The Bureau of Environmental Services (BES) is seeking a Manager I position to join our Wastewater Operations Division to oversee the supervision of the State of Oregon’s largest activated sludge wastewater treatment plant as well as the support and management of the personnel directly involved in the 24/7 treatment processes. The Operations Division monitors, controls, and operates state-of-the-art resource recovery facilities for the City of Portland. As these facilities have expanded over the years, the need for site, craft, and process specific support, training, planning, and coordination has also increased. The Operations Process Control Manager position will oversee the process control program and system integration coordination associated with CIP work.

The position requires physical presence at the treatment facility, and the schedule is:
The candidate selected for this position will work five days/week, eight hours/day, M-F, from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm during onboarding and orientation. Final schedule, including options for compressed work weeks and telework, will be identified and agreed upon by the incumbent and manager.

The position is responsible for supporting and supervising staff while managing related activities in operating the wastewater treatment processes at the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system. Under general direction, the Manager I plans, schedules, organizes, and directs work unit programs comprised of skilled personnel engaged in the operation of a large wastewater treatment facility; ensures the safe, proper, and efficient operation of the collection and treatment systems and facilities; provides for program support and participation with internal and external stakeholders; budget oversight, and performs related duties as assigned, including a rotational on-call coordinator role.

The position will provide leadership in the Operations Division of the O&MG, to ensure that safety policies and procedures are communicated, updated, and adhered to in the day-to-day operation of the treatment facilities. They will prioritize and present information on the microbiological health status of the facilities and provide operational strategies to ensure compliance with the NPDES permits that govern our work. Additionally, this position will have the primary role in the creation, review, signature and submittal of the monthly Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR) for the CBWTP.
 
They will work collaboratively with and help to support the Treatment Pumping Systems Division (TPSD) in developing and delivering Capital Improvement Project (CIP) work and will forecast and provide timely communication on predicted collisions in schedules. They will work to help establish standards for the division, including working closely with a new System Integration/Asset Commissioning Analyst to develop and communicate expected outcomes associated with key performance indicators (KPI)s and other operational process optimization efforts.
 
This position will have a financial role in tracking and communicating costs and appropriate funding for consumables (chemicals) budgeting and maintain lines of communication to division and senior management needs for alterations to funding and cost centers.
 
This division is organized into the following work units:

1. CBWTP Liquids Treatment: This group is responsible for the day shift operation of the general liquids and the solids treatment and handling processes, including the management of flows coming into the plant as well as the headworks, primary treatment, secondary treatment, disinfection, and effluent discharge process areas.
2. CBWTP Solids Treatment: This group is responsible for the management of the anaerobic digestion and solids thickening and/or dewatering process areas.
3. CBWTP Process Control: This team supports all process areas with coordinating LOTO efforts related to planned and unplanned construction and maintenance activities; developing and presenting materials to inform on new and existing process areas, while seeking process optimization opportunities.
4. CBWTP Special Operations: This work group performs vital maintenance/cleaning work onsite during the day shift including collection and delivery of compliance samples; lagoon dredge operations, and operational preventive maintenance activities (i.e., gate/valve exercise program). Along with providing relief (vacation and leave coverage) and support for other programs when needed.
5. CBWTP B Shift (swing) and C Shift (graveyard): These “off shifts” report to CBWTP and are responsible for operational control and oversight of all processes at both treatment plants outside of normal business hours. Both shifts have reduced staffing and receive support via on on-call coordinator system. TCWTP is monitored from CBWTP for these shifts.
6. TCWTP Operations: This work group reports directly to the TCWTP and is responsible for the operation of all treatment process areas at the facility. Staff works day shifts with one-person onsite Saturdays and Sundays. TCWTP is monitored from CBWTP outside of the day shift.  

At BES, we value our customers and partners; Portlanders’ sense of connection to their waterways; conscientious stewardship of our watersheds, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, and financial resources; a diverse, collaborative, healthy, and engaged workforce; leadership among our employees and in our City and community; equity in our workplace, business practices, and service delivery; clear communication and transparency; innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions.
 
BES is seeking talented individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds with knowledge, ability, and experience working with a broad range of individuals and communities; and that desire to work collaboratively and creatively to broaden the variety of innovative ways to partner with and serve all Portland communities. To learn more about the work we do at BES, click on the link: www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/
 
Our BES 10-Year Strategic Plan can be found here: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/75720

Questions:
Terrol Johnson
Senior Recruiter
terrol.johnson@portlandoregon.gov  


Applicants should specifically address and demonstrate in their résumé and answers to supplemental questions how their education, training, and/or experience meet each of the following minimum qualifications: 

1. Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes including the operation of process control equipment, trouble-shooting techniques, and laboratory procedures.
2. Minimum of 5-years of demonstrated experience in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment, with an increasing level of responsibility.
3. Ability to plan, prioritize and schedule work while leading a team of water quality professionals in adhering to safety and compliance requirements.
4. Skills to effectively communicate, support, coach and train others within an organization.
5. Ability to be a human-centered leader who will incorporate equity into the decision-making process.

Applicants must also possess:

• A valid state driver's license and acceptable driving record at the time of hire.
• Possess an Oregon DEQ Wastewater Treatment Grade III certificate upon hire, with the ability to obtain Oregon DEQ Wastewater Treatment Grade IV certification within 12 months. See DEQ’s “Treatment System Operator Qualifications” at the following link:

https://www.oregon.gov/deq/wq/Documents/Opcert-PathwayQualsForCollectionTreatment.pdf

STEP 1: Apply online between May 13 and May 27, 2024
 
Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Answer to the Supplemental Questions (click on the Questions tab to preview the questions)

Optional Application Materials:

• If you would like to request Veteran's Preference, please submit your Veteran documents (ex, DD214-Member 4, VA Benefit Letter, etc.) by the closing date of the recruitment.

Application Tips: 

• Your responses to the supplemental questions should include details describing your education, training, and/or experience, and where obtained, which reflects your qualifications for each of the numbered items in the "To Qualify" section of this announcement.
• Your resume should support the details described in your responses to the supplemental questions.
• Salary Range/Equity Pay Analysis:  Please note per the Oregon State Pay Equity Law your salary is determined based on the experience and education listed in your resume/application.   It is strongly encouraged to include any transferable experience (paid or unpaid regardless of how recent) to ensure your offer is reflective of all directly related and equivalent experience.
• Do not attach any additional documents.
• Please note, all completed applications for this position must be submitted no later than on the closing date and time of this recruitment.   

 Step 2: Minimum Qualification Evaluation: Week of May 27, 2024 

• An evaluation of each applicant's training and paid and unpaid experience, as demonstrated in their resume and supplemental questions, weighted 100%.
• Your resume and responses to the supplemental questions will be the basis for our evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Incomplete or inappropriate information may result in disqualification.
• You have 14 days from the notice of the minimum qualification evaluation results to let us know if you would like to review and discuss your evaluation result. Please read the City of Portland Administrative Rule 3.01 for complete information.
• Additional evaluation may be required before the establishment of the eligible list and/or final selection.

Step 3: Establishment of Eligible List: Week of June 3, 2024

• Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be placed on the equally ranked eligible list.
• Please note, that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 4: Selection (Interview): Mid June

• The hiring bureau will review and select candidates for an interview.
• Please note, that the selection process may take up to 90 days from the notification of being placed on the eligible list.

Step 5: Offer of Employment:  Late June

 Step 6: Start Date:

• A start date will be determined after all conditions of employment have been met.

*Timeline is approximate and subject to change.    

Click here for additional information regarding the following:

• City of Portland Core Values
• Recruitment Process - Work Status
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Veteran Preference
• ADA, Pregnancy, and Religious Accommodations