Manager, Chief Water Distribution Operator (Control Center)

The Manager, Chief Water Distribution Operator supervises the operation of a large and complex water distribution system. They oversee the management of water pumping stations, water storage facilities, specialty valves, water quality in the distribution system, dams, and offline wastewater storage facilities. The position works closely with the Control Center. The Control Center operates 24/7 monitoring the water distribution system and wastewater collection system. The Control Center also monitors the alarms for the unmanned wastewater treatment plants.

Essential Functions

- Supervises employees including selecting or recommending selection, training, assigning and evaluating work, counseling, disciplining, and/or termination or recommending termination

- Coordinates the distribution of water from WSSC Water’s water treatment plants, and through interconnections with other utilities during emergencies; works with the Control Center to ensure proper responses to water distribution, wastewater collection systems, dams, power failure, communication failure, and instrumentation failure alarms

- Plans, schedules, supervises, and reviews the preventive and corrective operational, mechanical, and electrical work of personnel, including but not limited to, efforts and initiatives to avoid distribution system disruptions that could jeopardize health and safety

- Participates in design reviews of new and /or the rehabilitation of existing facilities

- Plans, manages, and supervises startups for new equipment and facilities

- Plans, manages, supervises, and reviews operations and maintenance of the equipment of the three dams including, but not limited to, drought operations, flooding mitigation, dam failure emergency response, and assisting in mandated routine inspections and functional exercises

- Plans, manages, supervises, and reviews the work of operating, mechanical and electrical maintenance at the Rock Creek Wastewater Storage Facility

- Establishes operating and maintenance standards with energy costs and water quality constraints; determines and prioritizes maintenance activities

- Manages the operation and maintenance of specialty valves; maintains the Specialty Valve Book settings and coordination with the Planning Group

- Promotes safe work practices and investigates accidents

- Analyzes distribution and laboratory reports; directs adjustments to improve treatment and maintain regulatory compliance

- Coordinates deliveries and various goods and services that are needed for the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system operations

- Develops budgetary estimates of plant needs and assists in preparing the annual budgets

- Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business

Other Functions

- Serves as a Subject Matter Expert in developing training and evaluating the skills of staff as required

- Assists in developing long-range plans, procedures, and improvements for the operation of the water distribution system; participates in reviewing contract documents, drawings, and specifications

- Assists in development and implementation of appropriate operator training programs, and conducts classes to improve operator knowledge, skills and abilities

- Submits requisitions for chemicals, materials, tools, equipment and outside services as needed; reviews and approves credit card expense logs

- May be requested to coordinate and conduct tours of facilities and open house activities, and interact with external customers and public officials on plant related matters

- As a member of the WSSC Water All Management Team, the Section Manager will participate in cross-team committees established to support and advance the WSSC Water Mission and Vision

- Participates in the rotating Emergency Duty Call-Back Duty responsibilities

- Performs related duties as required

Work Environment And Physical Demands

Work is performed in both an office and plant environment

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

- Extensive knowledge of the machines, equipment, materials, and operating practices of a water distribution system, wastewater collection system, and dams

- Knowledge of permits (i.e. Safe Drinking Water Act, discharging chlorinated waters, Total Coliform Rule (TCR), Disinfection By-Products)

- Demonstrated ability to organize and supervise team members and others engaged in operating a distribution system

- Ability to apply sound engineering practices to resolve customer complaints

- Ability to prioritize and coordinate operations and maintenance of a distribution system during severe emergency conditions

- Ability to effectively utilize appropriate safety equipment and procedures

- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups, public officials, employees, and the public

Minimum Education, Experience Requirements

- High School diploma or equivalent

- 6+ years experience in water/wastewater/water distribution/wastewater collection