Manager, Wastewater Operations at Aquarion Water Company

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns throughout Connecticut, as well as serving customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, CT, it has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices. Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.

Job Summary

The Manager of Wastewater is responsible for providing leadership, management of personnel and guidance to a team of operations and administrative staff to ensure proper operation of the wastewater facilities to meet required permit limits and associated regulations; management of waste streams generated, execution of capital projects related to the collection, pumping and treatment; and development and management of capital and expense budgets related to wastewater operations. The Chief Operator at each facility is responsible for operations and maintenance required for treatment, pumping and collection. The responsibilities below represent the general work that is needed for the position but is not considered to include all work that may be needed and is completed in coordination with the Vice President of Engineering and Real Estate.

Principal Responsibilities

• Manages operations and administrative staff to ensure daily wastewater operations, maintenance and testing are completed in a cost effective and efficient manner; are following all related permits and associated state and federal regulations; and meet the Company’s key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Prepares yearly KPIs and complete monthly reporting.
• Establishes and implements Company standards for design, procurement and construction of equipment and facilities. Maintain technical standards (specifications and drawings) suitable for use by staff for projects. Annually identify needs and update or create new standards. Work toward standardization of equipment and designs.
• Completes annual reviews of construction contract terms to ensure documents are up to date and suitable for use. Work with the Procurement Department, E&P staff, and Legal to review changes and determine if changes are warranted.
• Maintains and/or creates standard operating procedures that define the work to be completed by staff, coordination of projects, and communication with customers.
• Reviews and evaluates reports, records, logs, graphs, and information within SCADA to confirm systems are operating properly and that needed materials and resources are in place for proper operation of the wastewater facilities.
• Ensures issues are identified, address and elevated, if necessary, in a timely manner.
• Establishes standard operating procedures, guidelines, and key performance indicators to measure and monitor the operations and provide day to day efficiency in operations.
• Prepares and submit reports to regulatory agencies on the prescribed basis within existing permits and/or regulations.
• Identifies and, evaluates and implements improvements to improve reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost effectiveness.
• Proactively manage safety, environmental issues and ensure compliance with regulations permits pertaining to pollution prevention, stormwater, and other federal and state regulations.
• Maintains up to date Emergency Response Plans and plan of action to address emergencies such as equipment, machinery or power failure, flooding, extreme cold temperatures, and other situations that may arise.
  
  

Principal Responsibilities Continued

• Manages third party contracts and working with Procurement to review contract terms and conditions, spending thresholds and bidding.
• Maintains positive relationships with operations and administrative staff, community officials, regulators, and customers.
• Develop and update CMOM Plan related to wastewater collection system, pumping and treatment.
• Implements Infiltration and inflow studies, evaluations, and testing to identify sources of rainwater or groundwater that is entering the collection system and can be effectively removed.
• Manages the alternative analysis, design and construction phase of all capital projects including permitting, schedules. Completes cash flows, and cash flow profiles for the current and existing year capital projects.
• Assists in the development of one-year and five-year capital budgets and one-year expense budgets within the schedules established by the organization. This work would include meetings with operations and administrative staff to define issues and priorities for improvements, review Infiltration and Inflow Studies, Wastewater Facility Plan, Master Plans, Capital Improvement Plans, Inspection Reports, and other documents.
• Assists in the development of the annual Business Plan, Initiatives, KPI’s and Metrics.
• Prepares needed analysis and narrative summaries in support of program and regulatory filings.
• Attends meetings as needed to present information to the community on operation of the facility and improvements.
• Coordinates with communities of collection system improvements, paving, costs, and schedules.
• Conducts one on one meetings with each staff member on a regular schedule and monthly staff meetings. Provide feedback on staff and team performance and complete reviews at the interval required by the Company.
• Develops and implements training schedule for staff with a goal of having training once per month and ensuring staff obtain required continuing education credits.
• Develops plan to meet safety metrics on a monthly and yearly basis.
• Problem Solving: Responsible for creating innovative solutions to variable, non-recurring problems quickly, effectively, and economically. Industry, technical, trade and different local regulatory bodies are constantly evolving or changing the environment in which decisions are made.
• Accountability: Accountable to the Vice President of Engineering, Planning and Real Estate for management of staff, operation of wastewater facilities, execution of projects, management of the program, and overall budget.
  
  

Preferred Requirements

• Seven to ten years of experience in evaluation, planning, design, and construction of wastewater treatment, pumping and collections systems.
• Understanding and experience with wastewater processes, industry, SCADA, data management and reporting.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to make sound decisions.
• Experience and ability to manage staff and collaborate effectively with associates, regulators, public officials, and senior management.
• Excellent computer skills with experience with Microsoft Products (Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS) and SAP.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to complete various task that require standing, sitting, and walking throughout the day. While performing work the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, or hear, and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. May occasionally be required to lift 50 to 60 pounds.
  
  

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, or related field required.
• Master's degree in related field preferred, but not required.
• Wastewater licenses preferred, but not required.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
  
  

Salary

• Job is classified as an exempt position with a salary range of $120,000 to $133,000.
• This role reports out of the Bridgeport, CT office with ocassional travel to wastewater facilities in Ansonia, CT and New Hartford, CT.
• Hours for this role are 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.
  
  

Aquarion Water Company is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.