Plant Engineering Manager (Biosolids)

The Plant Engineering Manager serves as the lead plant engineer of a large biosolids treatment facility. Primary responsibilities include assisting the Plant Superintendent/Division Manager in the overall management of a treatment facility and associated off-site pumping stations and facilities, as well as overseeing the digital process control system functions. The Plant Engineering Manager also assumes all Plant Superintendent / Division Manager duties as required.

Essential Functions

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

- Performs independent research to optimize performance of water treatment, wastewater treatment processes

- Reviews and interprets plant, collection, and distribution system operating data to identify process problems; recommends operational solutions to the problems

- Performs operational inspections of treatment, collection, and distribution facilities to determine compliance with WSSC Water standards and State and Federal regulations

- Monitors plant operations and environmental conditions to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and Local permits and regulations; reports on any non-compliance

- Manages the operations, maintenance, and programming of the digital process control system equipment and IT network equipment

- Coordinates plant treatment process control testing and proper calibration of on-line analytical equipment

- Manages the development, modification and maintenance of the facility’s data management system for operational data, engineering plans, and specifications

- Evaluates the training needs of personnel; arranges and administers training, assists with new employee orientation and assists operators in preparing for the State of Maryland Operator’s License examination

- Reviews and updates standard operating procedures for plant systems; ensures accurate operational records are maintained

- Manages the operation and maintenance of associated off-site pumping stations and off-site facilities assigned to the group

- Supervises and directs plant engineers, civil engineers, first-line supervisors, engineering assistants, various plant staff, and interns assigned to the facility

- Compiles plant data to generate reports in compliance with State and Federal Regulations for reporting

- Reviews plans and specifications to help develop plant-related designs; recommends equipment upgrades and process modifications

- Reviews State and Federal permits for the facility to maintain compliance, assists with permit renewals or modifications; facilitates inspections for compliance

- Monitors all pertinent occupational, health and safety regulations; ensures compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements; facilitates inspections for compliance

- Prepares and revises chemical, material, and service contract specifications, reviews bids, recommends awarding of contracts; serves as project manager representative of contracts

- Prepares new and/or revises existing contracts, reviews IDs, recommends awarding of contracts; serves as a Project Manager or the Project Manager’s representative (COTR) of contracts

- Keeps current with industry metering and measuring equipment; evaluates the need for new equipment to maintain plant proficiency; requisitions materials, tools, chemicals, and equipment as required by the task for the plant

- Reviews and performs analysis on various plant and process operating costs for economic comparisons to facilitate proposed plant modifications and staffing requirements

- Recommends allocation of budgeted funds and requests approval for major expenditures, authorizes petty cash outlays and payment requests upon approval, and initiates field purchase orders

- Assists with preparing the annual fiscal budget reports and various financial monthly and annual reports; participates in the long-range planning, organization, and direction of functions associated with the operation and improvements to the plants and collection facilities/distribution facilities to maximize performance while minimizing cost and environmental impact

- Administers an employee safety program and protection plan, investigates accidents, and prepares accident reports

- Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business

Other Functions

- Conducts plant tours, develops plant overviews, informational brochures, and historical summaries; presents technical papers and presentations

- Performs related duties as assigned

Work Environment And Physical Demands

Industrial plant environment

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

- Thorough knowledge of sound engineering principles and practices

- Ability to use solid professional engineering judgment and operating practices associated with water treatment/distribution facilities, wastewater treatment/collection facilities with the ability to manage same

- Considerable knowledge of machines, equipment, materials and construction practices

- Ability to make engineering computations, estimates, and designs; ability to review and interpret engineering plans and specifications

- Ability to supervise the work of others

- Ability to prepare and present engineering and administrative reports verbally and in writing

- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships

Minimum Education, Experience Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree

- 3+ years’ experience in environmental, water or wastewater or similarly related field

OR

- High school diploma or equivalent - 7+ years’ experience in environmental, water or wastewater or similarly related field

This role oversees the operations and maintenance of the Bioenergy facility. This involves managing the anaerobic digestion and combined heat and power process, which includes boilers, generators, gas upgrading system, and side stream treatment.