Lead Utility Systems OperatorPosition: Lead Utilities Systems Operator
Reports to: City Administrator; reports to City Engineer for technical matters
Supervises: Utilities Systems Operators and Laborers
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
General Statement of Duties: Responsible for operating and maintaining water system and
water distribution and waste water systems and collection. Supervise utility department
staff. May assist public works and parks departments as needed.
Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the City Administrator.
Supervision Exercised: Provides supervision to the utilities systems operators and
laborers.
MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Water System:
a. Monitor well production and water tower levels
b. Monitor water quality
c. Follow EPA, MPCA and DNR requirements, licenses, guidelines, and policies
d. Maintain and repair water system, hydrants, valves, pumps, meters, and
related equipment
Wastewater System:
a. Operate East and West wastewater plants within EPA and MPCA license
requirements
b. Follow plant operations procedures and recommend changes for
improvement
c. Responsible for maintenance and repair of facilities, equipment, valves,
pumps, grounds, and collection system
d. Conduct lift station monitoring and maintenance
3. Public Works Functions:
a. Assist with snow plowing as needed
b. Assist public works and park crews with street, storm water, and park
maintenance as needed
4. Financial Management:
a. Provide recommendations on the long and short term capital needs of the
departments.
b. Prepare draft annual departmental budgets for review and approval.
c. Monitor and manage budget to ensure compliance with the adopted budget
d. Follow all purchasing policies
e. Follow all finance policies including but not limited to the public purpose
expenditure policy
f. Work with utility billing clerk to resolve issues and address user questions
and complaints
S. Policy and Procedure Development:
a. Responsible for following all policies and procedures at the federal, state, and
local level through all applicable agencies such as the MPCA, EPA, and others.
b. Evaluate and recommend changes to policies, procedures, and practices to
increase efficiency and effectiveness and to ensure compliance with all legal
and functional requirements.
c. Follow procedures to get approval and implement new policies and
procedures.
d. Ensure that staff follows all applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
6. Supervision:
a. Perform annual performance review for all department staff
b. Ensure staff is adequately trained and department is cross trained
c. Recommend discipline and pay increases
d. Ensure staff attends safety training and follows safety procedures
e. Assign works and ensures that it is done accurately and timely
f. Interview and recommend staff
7. General
a. Expertise in SCADA, Microsoft Office applications, and monitoring systems
b. Implement and manage MPCA and DNR programs
c. Promote a positive and motivating environment
d. Follow all safety policies and procedures
e. Provide exceptional customer service to residents, developers, elected and
appointed officials
f. Make decisions that are always in the best interest of the City, its residents
and businesses
g. Perform other duties and projects as assigned
h. Confer with supervisor, peers, and employees to discuss issues and resolve
issues
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in managing and operating water and
wastewater utilities
• Extensive knowledge of bio solid application requirements and methods
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in supervising employees
• Extensive knowledge of and experience in City operations, ordinances, and practices
related to water and wastewater applications
• Proficient in SCADA, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint) and standard
computer systems and programs used in operation of water and wastewater
systems
• Experience and applied knowledge in laboratory tests, testing methods and
techniques, testing requirements, and interpretation of test results
• Experience analyzing problems, identifying solutions, and implementing solution
successfully
• Experience making presentations to government bodies, professional associations,
and community organizations
• Ability to communicate clearly, professionally, effectively, and precisely both
verbally and in writing
• Ability to resolve and diffuse conflicts
• Ability to understand, manage, and communicate complex ideas, projects, and
situations
• Applied experience and knowledge of budget management
• Applied experience and knowledge of purchasing/contract laws and practices
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to coordinate work with
other departments and to lead multi -departmental or multi -jurisdictional projects.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and organize the department's work.
• Strong sense of honesty, integrity, and credibility
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Minnesota Class A Wastewater Certification
Z. Minnesota Class B Water Certification
3. Seven years of experience at municipal water and wastewater systems with a
minimum of three years at each
4. Five years of supervisory experience
S. A valid class B Minnesota driver's license
6. 30 minute response time to the wastewater treatment facility
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Associates degree in water and environmental technologies or a Bachelor's degree
in biology, chemistry, or environmental services
2. Experience working for a growing city or county
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be able to talk, hear, drive, sit, regularly use fine motors skills, lift 7S pounds, work
and move about in confined spaces, walk in construction areas.
Note: This job description does not constitute a contract or employment agreement.