Wastewater Superintendent

General Description

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision (Download PDF reader) benefit package for the employee and qualified family members with low monthly out-of-pocket cost. (Download PDF reader) Currently, the employee-paid premium is approx. $54/mo. for employee- only coverage up to a max of approx. $161/mo. for family coverage.
• City-paid contribution to a VEBA Trust account for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Beginning January 1, 2026, the annual contribution will be $2,000 for employee-only and $4,000 for employee plus dependent(s).
• Paid time off:
  • 17 hours of vacation leave per month, with progressive increases based on years of service
  • 8 hours of sick leave per month
  • 10 paid City-observed Holidays
• Excellent retirement benefits
  • City-paid participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (OPSRP and IAP)
  • City-paid contribution (2.5%) into a 457 pre-tax deferred compensation plan
• In addition, other benefits such as education reimbursement, employee assistance programs, basic life insurance, shot-term disability, long - term disability, and flexible spending accounts for healthcare and childcare expenses.

Essential Functions/Duties & Responsibilities

The duties listed are intended only as illustrative examples of the various types of work that may be performed by individuals in this classification. Any of the following duties may be performed. These examples are not necessarily performed by all incumbents and do not include all specific essential functions and responsibilities the incumbent may be expected to perform.

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the wastewater and stormwater utilities including the operation, maintenance, and capital improvement of the utility infrastructure. The wastewater (sanitary sewer) system includes the collection system, water reclamation facility, treatment wetlands, biosolids composting facility, lift stations, and associated infrastructure. The stormwater utility includes stormwater inlets, conveyance piping, structural and vegetated treatment facilities, and associated infrastructure. Other utility programs include Environmental Services, Industrial pretreatment program, water quality control and laboratory services.
• Prepares the biennial budgets for assigned programs with the assistance of supervisors and staff. Reviews and monitors expenditures to remain within established budgetary constraints. Authorizes purchases and signs purchase orders. Coordinates with Public Works engineering staff on the annual Capital Improvement Program and other capital projects.
• With subordinate supervisors and staff, develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve group mission, goals and performance measures; directs the development of and monitors budget performance. Manages and directs the development, implementation and evaluation of work programs, plans, processes, systems, and procedures to achieve City and Public Works goals, objectives and performance measures consistent with the City's quality and citizen service expectations.
• Plans, organizes, and evaluates the performance of assigned supervisors and staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; provides coaching for performance improvements and development; recommends disciplinary action, up to and including termination to address performance deficiencies in accordance with Human Resource policies, labor contract agreements, and labor laws subject to Operations Manager, and Public Works Director concurrence.
• Completes investigations, studies, and reports as directed by the Operations Manager. Directs and participates in research and analyses and prepares recommendations and reports pertaining to the operations, construction and maintenance of the assigned utility, regulatory compliance issues, capital investments, staffing requirements and other technical and management issues.
• Demonstrates understanding and good judgment in the evaluation of complex technical and/or financial information and alternatives related to program and policy development. Provides expert technical advice to Public Works staff within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Oversees and evaluates the operations of assigned programs to ensure compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations, and requirements; plans, develops, and implements programs, projects and operational changes to comply with existing and new laws, regulations and requirements. Specifically, ensures the City’s compliance with the Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, and other federal, state and local regulations and requirements pertaining to the sanitary sewer system and stormwater system.
• Supervises two or more assigned employees on a recurring daily basis which includes scheduling and assigning work; mentoring, coaching, and training; developing work plans and reviewing work for completion; evaluating performance and providing necessary feedback to employee; setting work standards; imposing or effectively recommending necessary disciplinary action; responding to grievances; and making or effectively recommending hiring and termination decisions.
• Provides leadership and works with assigned supervisors and staff to develop and retain highly competent, service-oriented staff through selection, compensation, training, and day-to-day management practices that support the City's and Public Works mission, objectives and service expectations; provides leadership and participates in programs and activities that promote workplace diversity and a positive employee relations environment.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing with a variety of technical and non-technical groups and individuals regarding division goals, budgets, and performance; engineering projects; and division service policies. Coordinates and builds positive relations within the Public Works Department and with other City departments.
• Represents the City of Albany by responding to the public, citizens, employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor. Regards everyone, internal and external, as a customer and delivers the best service possible in a respectful and patient manner.
• Participates in regional, state, and national organizations and conferences to stay abreast of trends, developments and technology related to assigned activities and programs.
• Studies and implements procedures to improve the efficiency of the section's activities.

• Monitors employee activity and equipment operations to ensure safety practices; implements and maintains safe operating practices; assures compliance with proper safety procedures, rules, and regulations.
• May provide training and orientation to newly assigned personnel.
• May fill in for the Operations Manager in their absence.
• Assists other staff in the performance of their duties as assigned.
• Works to create a high-performance work culture by demonstrating a positive attitude and modeling the City’s mission, vision, and values. Conducts self with high integrity, proactive in conserving City resources, and seeks and incorporates customer feedback for ongoing performance improvement. Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Acts ethically and honestly; applies ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities and interactions. Works to build confidence in the City through own actions.
• Arrives to work, meetings, and other work-related functions on time and maintains regular job attendance.
• Serves as a member of various City committees as assigned.
• Adheres to appropriate attire, grooming, and hygiene standards established for the position.
• Operates a motor vehicle safely and legally.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Supervision/Lead Work Exercised

Supervision Received/Review of Work

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Public Works Operations Manager.

Lead Work/Coordination of Work of Others

This is a supervisory position. Individuals in this classification are responsible for supervising assigned employees which includes scheduling and assigning work; mentoring, coaching, and training; developing work plans and reviewing work for completion; evaluating performance and providing necessary feedback to employees; setting work standards; imposing or effectively recommending necessary disciplinary action; responding to grievances; and making or effectively recommending hiring and termination decisions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education and Experience:

An Associate’s degree in science, mathematics, engineering, operation, maintenance and management, chemistry, water/wastewater technology, physical or biological academic fields.

AND

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience with an emphasis in public works

AND

Five (5) years of experience at a supervisory or management level with responsibility for substantial program areas; or any satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Special Requirements:

• A current State of Oregon Wastewater Treatment or Collections IV Certification is preferred.
• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license and a driving record that meets City standards.
• The individual shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of themselves or others.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is primarily that of an office job, with occasional work required outdoors in outside-weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places; is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration; and is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. The field work environment occasionally involves machinery and construction noise.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The factors described herein are representative of, but not all-inclusive of, those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Detailed information may be available in a supplemental Job Task Analysis document.

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

• Balancing: sufficient to maintain body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Climbing: sufficient to ascend or descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.
• Crawling: sufficient to move about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Crouching: sufficient to bend the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Feeling: sufficient to perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
• Fingering: sufficient to pick, pinch, type, or otherwise work, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.
• Grasping: sufficient to apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Handling: sufficient to pick, hold, or otherwise work, primarily with the whole hand.
• Hearing: sufficient to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling: sufficient to bend legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Lifting: sufficient to raise objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Mental Acuity: sufficient to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes.
• Pulling: sufficient to use upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Pushing: sufficient to use upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Reaching: sufficient to extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
• Speaking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping: sufficient to bend body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motion of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Talking: sufficient to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Visual Acuity: sufficient to observe violations of codes, to effectively operate standard office equipment; ability to read and write reports, correspondence, instructions, drawings, etc.; and to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment, by both day and night.
• Walking: sufficient to move about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or move from one work site to another.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED

In the performance of job duties, the employee will operate a computer, laptop, tablet and various software programs; motor vehicle; portable radio; telephone; copiers, scanners, and fax machines; and other related tools and equipment as required.

Safety Equipment:

This is not an exhaustive list. Hearing protection (including earmuffs), safety glasses, steel-toed boots, gloves (nitrile, latex, leather), hardhat, knee pads, dust masks, traffic cones, safety vest, and fall-restraint equipment when required. Develops safe work habits and contributes to the safety of self, co-workers, and the public.

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The City of Albany is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply for City positions. Please notify the Human Resources Department if you need any reasonable accommodation or assistance with any part of our application and screening process. Hearing impaired individuals needing assistance can call the Oregon Relay Service at 800-735-2900 and provide them this phone number: 541-917-7509. All other applications are only accepted online through our vendor, NEOGOV.