Senior Plant Engineer

Under limited supervision of the Manager, Water Production, this position serves as the support engineer at a large water treatment facility. Responsibilities include assisting in the management of the treatment facility including items such as monitoring, analyzing and implementing modifications to the operations of the facility, performing engineering work related to the modification or design of existing or new facilities, interfacing with various inter- and intra-divisional employees and groups as well as external individuals, groups and companies, acting as a Production Division liaison for inter-divisional projects and responsibilities, training, supervising, and coordinating the work of Fairfax Water personnel as necessary. Performs Acting Plant Manager duties as required.

Examples of Duties:

Directs and administers the normal operations of a water treatment facility by:

- Compiling and interpreting plant and operational data and developing solutions for operational issues.

- Monitoring compliance with all pertinent health and safety regulations and working with management and employees to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.

- Monitoring environmental effects and taking the necessary steps to ensure compliance with all applicable permits and regulations.

- Managing compliance, reporting, applications, and renewals for relevant permits including but not limited to permits associated with waterworks, air quality, stormwater, sanitary sewer and dam permits as applicable.

- Developing chemical, material, and service contract specifications including RFPs.

- Reviewing bids and recommending awarding of contracts.

- Acting as contract administrator for assigned contracts.

- Performing operational inspections of treatment and distribution facilities to determine compliance with Fairfax Water standards and making changes as needed.

- Establishing and reviewing all Standard Operating Procedures, manuals, and systems and ensure accurate operational records are maintained in coordination with other key plant personnel.

- Evaluating training needs of plant personnel and arranging appropriate training including administering personal instruction when necessary.

- Conducting new employee orientation for the facility.

- Assisting plant personnel in their preparation to obtain certifications or licenses.

- Remotely monitoring and responding to operational problems at the facilities during non-scheduled hours as necessary.

- Supervises summer and part-time employees.

Directs and supports the water treatment facility’s asset management program by:

- Performing independent research on improved control of water treatment operations including the use of pilot plants.

- Evaluate equipment and system failures and conduct root cause analysis.

- Designing and/or recommending equipment and process modifications.

- Performing operational review of plans and specifications and developing solutions or optimizations.

- Participating in the long-range planning, organization and direction of activities relating to the operation of and improvements to the plants to maximize performance while minimizing cost and environmental impact.

- Requisitioning materials, tools, chemicals and equipment for the plant as necessary.

- Coordinating planned outage schedules and developing outage risk mitigation strategies.

Acts as inter- and intra-divisional liaison by:

- Serving as the plant point of contact for Planning and Engineering for design and construction project impacting plant operations.

- Coordinating with the Manager, Laboratory and Regulatory Compliance on reporting issues.

- Interacting with the Operational Technology group in the operations, maintenance and programming of automatic process control PLC’s and computer/equipment.

- Coordinating with the IT group in the management of the facility’s personal computers and local area network including the data management system.

- Coordinating with the Safety and Security group and making recommendations for changes in procedures or processes.

- Serving as the plant’s Hazardous Waste Compliance Officer, managing hazardous chemical wastes.

Assists in the financial operations of a water treatment facility by:

- Developing unit and process operating costs for costing, billing and economic comparison.

- Assisting in preparation of the annual budget and reports.

- Recommending expenditure of budgeted funds and assisting the plant manager in preparing requests for major expenditures.

- Performing or reviewing economic analyses of proposed plant modifications.

- Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Typical Qualifications:

- Graduation from college with a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental, Civil or Chemical Engineering or Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and a minimum of six years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a water treatment facility including three years at a supervisory level, one year of project management or supervisory experience, or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and knowledge.

- Eligibility for or licensed as a Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia preferred. Thorough knowledge of engineering principles and practices in construction, manufacturing, water or wastewater treatment, or stormwater management is preferred.

- Considerable knowledge of machinery, equipment, materials and operating practices of water treatment operations and facilities.

- Ability to make accurate engineering computations, estimates, and designs.

- Ability to accurately review plans and specifications.

- Good professional engineering judgment.

- Knowledge of contract administration.

- Ability to prepare and present engineering and administrative reports orally and in writing.

- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships. Effectively establishes and facilitates positive work relationships with trade groups including operators, maintenance, electrical, and instrumentation and controls. Possession of, or ability to attain, a Class 1 Waterworks Operator License in Virginia

- Ability to plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the work of others.

- Considerable knowledge of computer and network operations, instrumentation and automatic process control. Experience with or ability to learn SAP, Hach WIMS, and other similar water utility systems.

- Must pass a controlled substance (drug) test for employment.

- Possession of a valid driver’s license and good driving record.