Manager of Biosolids and Energy Recovery Operations

Job Description:

Manager of Biosolids and Energy Recovery Operations

Description

General Description

Under general administrative direction, our Manager of Biosolids and Energy Recovery Operations will plan, organize, and manage the safe and efficient operation of the Michelson biosolids handling and resource recovery facilities. Develop policies and procedures and prepare and administer the facilities’ annual budget. Comply with all State and Federal regulations for injury and illness prevention and hazardous substance control, including all required monitoring, inspecting, and reporting.

As a management position, this position will also interface and coordinate with other departments and other members of the IRWD Management Team. Irvine Ranch Water District practices shared values that drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization, and all managers are expected to champion these values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate the safe and effective operations of the biosolids and energy recovery facilities to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and statutes. Manage and coordinate the operations of the Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facilities in the areas of sludge thickening, fats, oils, and grease (FOG) and food-waste receiving and addition, anaerobic digestion, solids dewatering, sludge drying, biosolids residual marketing, digester gas handling, and energy recovery.

Support the management of and coordination with the operations of the District’s water recycling plant that includes preliminary, primary, secondary activated sludge, Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR), tertiary filtration, Ultraviolet (UV) and chemical disinfection processes, and recycled water pump station. Serve as Designated Chief Plant Operator for the District’s water recycling facilities as needed.

Implement a Performance Management program for the Biosolids and Energy Recovery Facility specific to the setting and tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to achieve optimal safety and efficiency.

Maintain and improve biosolids processing and operation procedures.

Develop and administer operator training and cross-training plans.

Ensure State Water Resources Control Board operator certification requirements and all other permit requirements are met. Develop and implement plans to support the advancement of individual operator certification levels.

Review and evaluate construction plans, specifications, and proposals.

Maintain an effective communications log regarding plant procedures and maintenance.

Inspect facility for efficient operation of equipment and request and coordinate appropriate repair or replacement.

Prepare technical and non-technical reports on facility operations, flows, and plant parameters.

Oversee and manage the monitoring, tracking, and historizing of required operational and process data from SCADA and other sources needed to develop regulatory compliance and process performance reporting. This includes but is not limited to District’s Operational database and reporting systems (WIMS, LIMS, etc.).

Manage the requisition of chemicals, supplies, and capital items required for efficient facility operations and coordinate their delivery with vendors and District’s Purchasing department.

Comply with District health & safety programs and safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training. Ensure appropriate safety training for work being performed by assigned staff. Ensure safety meetings (tailgates) are held bi-weekly. Conduct planned visual safety inspections and report findings to the Safety office monthly.

Assist in the development, administration, and enforcement of District policies and procedures as approved by the General Manager and the Board of Directors, including assisting Recycling Operations management team in the interpreting of existing and new policies and procedures.

Assist supervisors in preparing budgetary data and monitoring quarterly and annual O&M budget performance.

Initiate requests and follow all District procurement policies for purchase of parts, materials, tools, and equipment required to efficiently operate the department. Prepare and present justifications for large purchases of equipment as needed. Review and approve invoices for materials purchased.

Establish and maintain effective communications with staff, as well as other departments and sections.

Participate in the selection, counseling, and training of employees; and determine appropriate productivity standards for subordinate employees and measure staff performance accordingly.

Provide information to regulatory agencies, community groups, the general public, and others as required.

Advise the Director of Recycling Operations of significant operational and District issues.

Responsible for all other work-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, theories, operational requirements, standards, and equipment used in the safe and effective operation and maintenance of biosolids and energy recovery facilities.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project, Enterprise.
• Familiar with and able to implement progressive, innovative, best-practice technologies for operation and maintenance of biosolids and energy recovery facilities. Knowledgeable with asset management and maintenance strategies for biosolids infrastructure.
• Asset management software programs, such as Maximo.
• Developing, reviewing, and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for process monitoring, equipment operation, lockout/tag out (LOTO), and other safety and emergency response related tasks.
• Practices, uses, classifications and requirements of biosolids, soil amendments, and fertilizers.
• A general knowledge of principles, practices, methods and techniques of public and private sales and marketing procedures and strategies including evaluating markets and setting prices is desirable.
• Facility permit conditions and discharge limits including those associated with emissions and with sewage discharge and disposal.
• Applicable and pertinent federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures including those established by the Southern California Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and OSHA rules and regulation if applicable.
• Federal and state regulations regarding the production, sale, and use of biosolid materials.
• Research methods and statistical analysis techniques.
• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
• Basic principles and practices of organization and culture change.
• Principles and practices of sound business communications.
• Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.

Minimum Education, Training and Experience

Education:

A combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: biology, chemistry, management, and wastewater treatment, biosolids treatment, water recycling or water treatment or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Six (6) years progressively responsible experience in the operation of a secondary, biosolids, and tertiary water recycling plant, with four (4) of those six (6) years in a supervisory capacity.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Microsoft Access, Microsoft Project, Enterprise is required.
• Asset Management software (Maximo), and budgeting software is highly desirable.

License/Certifications Required:

• Valid Class ‘C’ California Driver’s License.
• Valid Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board.

Additional Information

IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office, management, and field employees. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside professionals and vendors.

Mathematical Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide and calculate percentages, decimals, and fractions.

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive and/or confidential information.

Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, bend, stoop, and stand. Occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.

Environmental Adaptability
Noise level is generally equivalent to a typical office environment. Ability to work in an environment which may expose employees to hazardous materials and environment. Occasional visits to District facilities where noise level may be higher than typical office environment.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.

Retirement
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.

Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.

IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.

Medical Insurance
IRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Dental Insurance
IRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Vision Insurance
IRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Life Insurance
Elgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.

Deferred Compensation
Participation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.

Paid Vacation
Eligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.

Paid Holidays
The District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.

Sick Leave
Eligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.

Flexible Spending Accounts
Eligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.

Educational Assistance
The District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.

Salary:

$133,706.88 - $190,932.00 Annually