Description
General Information
This position is responsible for the overall management, direction, and regulatory compliance of Manatee County’s Water Treatment Plant and/or Wastewater Treatment Facilities, including associated storage, pumping, reuse, and distribution systems. The Superintendent ensures the reliable production of safe drinking water and/or high-quality reclaimed water, promotes operational excellence, and ensures all assigned facilities operate safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with County, state, and federal requirements.
Note: This position has been designated by the Manatee County Commission as serving at the will and pleasure of the County Administrator. Employees so designated may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Working Conditions
Indoor/outdoor environment with exposure to noise, chemicals, equipment, and weather. Requires lifting up to 50 lbs. alone or 100 lbs. with assistance.
Job Duties Essential Functions
These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.
Plans, organizes, supervises, and evaluates all operational and maintenance activities for assigned water and/or wastewater treatment facilities, including basins, storage tanks, high-service pumping, reuse systems, and the Manatee County Master Reuse System (MCMRS).
Provides high-level leadership, direction, and technical support to operators, maintenance teams, control room staff, and supervisors to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
Maintains a strong safety culture and ensures full compliance with OSHA, County, and plant-specific safety requirements.
Ensures all facilities operate in accordance with FDEP, EPA, SWFWMD, and other applicable regulations, permits, and reporting requirements.
Provides high-level oversight and accountability for water quality sampling, monitoring programs, monthly operating reports, incident notifications, and all regulatory compliance activities conducted by staff.
Serves as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspections, site audits, compliance reviews, and emergency response events.
Provides high-level management of MCMRS reuse permit requirements, including reuse storage lakes, ground storage tanks, and associated pumping systems.
Administers the Utilities CMMS-driven preventive and corrective maintenance program to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operation of all mechanical, electrical, SCADA, and process treatment systems.
Evaluates operational performance, identifies areas needing corrective action, and ensures that process changes are properly implemented by supervisory staff.
Investigates and evaluates new materials, technologies, equipment, automation, and best practices that can improve plant efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Participates in planning, design, budgeting, and execution of capital improvement projects, facility expansions, rehabilitations, and major equipment replacements.
Reviews engineering plans, specifications, and construction documents; works closely with consultants, contractors, and Engineering staff to ensure constructability, operational needs, and minimal service disruption.
Provides operational guidance and input during CMAR, design-build, testing, commissioning, and facility startup activities.
Assists in developing and administering operational and capital budgets.
Prepares and approves requisitions, equipment purchases, and technical specifications.
Manages chemical usage, energy consumption, staffing levels, and maintenance expenditures to support efficient and cost-effective operations.
Interviews, selects, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; ensures high performance standards and regulatory certification compliance.
Develops training programs, promotes professional development, and supports succession planning.
Initiates disciplinary actions when necessary and in accordance with County policies.
Coordinates plant activities with other divisions, including Water Distribution, Wastewater Collection, Reclaimed Water Operations, Engineering, Compliance & Labs, Emergency Management, and Solid Waste (as applicable).
Communicates operational status, emergencies, performance metrics, regulatory issues, and project updates to Utilities leadership in a clear and timely manner.
Prepares operational summaries, incident reports, technical memoranda, and presentations for senior leadership or the Board of County Commissioners.
Leads operational response during storms, raw water quality events, plant upsets, mechanical failures, power outages, drought conditions, dam-related conditions, and other emergency situations.
Coordinates with Emergency Management and statewide mutual aid partners during emergency activations.
Ensures all emergency procedures are current, trained on, and effectively implemented.
Assumes division-level leadership responsibilities in the absence of the Division Manager.
Performs other related work (including weather or other extreme emergency duties) as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
Minimum of five (5) years' work experience in a large water and/or wastewater treatment facility (in accordance with area of assignment) or experience as a water/wastewater process design engineer and has experience in coordination with field operations staff while working in a public or private engineering office.
Minimum two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Skilled in the use of treatment plant software and technology, including SCADA/HMI interfaces, CMMS platforms, and standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and operator licensing may be considered.
Must possess a valid driver’s license; Florida license required within 30 days of hire.
Supplemental Information Possession of a Florida Class A Water Treatment Plant Operator License and/or a Florida Class A Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License desired.
Experience managing large, complex water or wastewater treatment facilities, including advanced treatment technologies, reuse systems, or surface-water reservoir operations desired.
Experience working in a Florida regulatory environment (FDEP, SWFWMD, EPA) desired.
Experience with CMAR/design-build delivery, major capital improvements, and facility expansions desired.
Skilled in the use of LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems) and WIMS (Water Information Management Systems) or similar data, compliance, and performance reporting platforms desired.
Advanced coursework or certification in management, leadership, or public administration desired.
Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
Minimum of five (5) years' work experience in a large water and/or wastewater treatment facility (in accordance with area of assignment) or experience as a water/wastewater process design engineer and has experience in coordination with field operations staff while working in a public or private engineering office.
Minimum two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Skilled in the use of treatment plant software and technology, including SCADA/HMI interfaces, CMMS platforms, and standard Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and operator licensing may be considered.
Must possess a valid driver’s license; Florida license required within 30 days of hire.
