Operations & Facilities Director

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Operations and Facilities Director serves on LOTT’s Senior Leadership Team and is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of LOTT’s wastewater and reclaimed water treatment facilities, ensuring LOTT’s compliance with regulatory agencies and that appropriate health and safety measures are established and carried out in operations and maintenance.

With direct support from the Operations Manager, Facilities Manager, Safety Manager, and Asset Manager, the responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Provide leadership and engage in strategic thinking to develop and implement utility and operational goals, objectives, and policies
• Positively lead, manage, guide, and oversee all sections assigned to the Operations and Facilities Division: Operations, Maintenance, Control Systems, Process Control, Environmental Compliance/Laboratory, Pretreatment, Security, Safety, and Asset Management
• Directly support capital improvements, programs, and services for enhancement of treatment functions and staff facilities
• Oversee treatment management of wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse facilities
• Determine the need for possible changes in treatment methods or processes based on interpretation of data from operating reports, studies, and lab tests
• Participate in the preparation of the Operations and Facilities Division budget and exercise control over the expenditure of funds
• Foster cooperative working relationships and coordinate Division efforts with projects and actions of other LOTT Divisions
• Represent the Division in meetings with the LOTT Board of Directors, other governmental agencies/LOTT Partners, contractors, consultants, business and industrial groups, regulators, and the public
• Develop strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and long-range planning of LOTT operations
• Support reclaimed water agreement discussions and related operational requirements with LOTT Partners
• Maintain emergency response plans and ensure utility treatment resilience
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of sections within the Division to maximize efficient use of available staff, equipment, and materials
• Monitor system effluent data to ensure compliance within permitted limits
• Participate as a member of the LOTT Technical Sub-Committee and other committees or teams as assigned
• Participate in an advisory capacity on engineering project planning, design plan review, construction, and training
• Ensure accountability for the productivity and efficiency of system operations and achieving federal, state, and local standards for reclaimed and wastewater effluent
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to plant safety activities, practices, and standards
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned or as required

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster a work environment that supports and facilitates LOTT’s Culture of Excellence and the performance of efficient, effective, high-quality work and employee satisfaction
• Monitor employee productivity and provide constructive feedback and coaching via a continuous feedback model
• Monitor, identify, and resolve personnel, workload, and procedural problems
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, and development of assigned staff

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in this position is primarily conducted onsite from an office located at LOTT’s Budd Inlet Treatment Plant. LOTT has high standards for safety, yet due to the nature of operations and the sophistication of equipment and technology, safety and health risks exist. Sufficient mobility is necessary to move about various sites, including different levels, stairways, surfaces, and walkways.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Operation and management of wastewater and recycled water facilities
• The process of advanced activated sludge wastewater treatment including basic processes involving physical, chemical, bacteriological, and microbiological means
• Relevant laws and regulatory agency requirements including federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations
• Asset management principles and processes
• Emergency response principles and the ability to assume responsibility for assigned emergency operations functions
• Supervisory and best management practices, methods, and techniques
• Quality improvement processes and performance measurement systems
• Skills, tools, and equipment required to effectively complete the essential functions of the position, such as Microsoft Office suite, SharePoint, etc.
• Fiscal programs and budgeting
• Program/project management techniques and principles

Ability to:

• Work outside of normal business hours including evenings and weekends
• Understand and abide by the regulatory requirements and policies under which LOTT operates
• Institutionalize the concepts of continuous quality improvement activities, performance measurement, and benchmarking.
• Strategically analyze and develop creative and innovative solutions to technically-complex problems and work with direct staff to determine proper remedial action
• Read, maintain, prepare, evaluate, and utilize technical reports and specifications
• Convey detailed technical information to the public, Board of Directors, and others in an easily understood way
• Present to committees, agencies, public interest groups, and the LOTT Board of Directors
• Recruit, train, instruct, supervise, evaluate, develop, and appropriately discipline staff
• Build and sustain a collaborative, high performance team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, empowerment, and vision
• Physically perform the essential functions of the job
• Demonstrate exceptional leadership, supervisory and coaching skills, which includes delegating tasks and workload assignments and holding team members accountable for responsibilities assigned
• Foster and develop an open and trust-based work environment
• Understand employee needs and comfortably interact in their work environment

Skill in:

• Interacting with employees on a day-to-day basis and openly sharing expectations, successes, and improvements needed
• Planning, organizing, directing, and prioritizing a variety of assigned projects and activities related to the diverse needs of the Division
• Analyzing complex problems, identifying alternative solutions, and projecting consequences of proposed actions and making recommendations for resolution and implementation
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, colleagues, contractors/vendors, outside agencies, community groups, and the general public
• Articulating complex issues clearly both verbally and in writing to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Possessing active listening skills

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in biology, chemistry, public administration, engineering, or related field; at least ten years of progressively responsible experience in the operation or management of water, wastewater, or recycled water systems; at least five years of increasingly responsible management-level experience.

Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job may be substituted for the foregoing requirements.

Desired Experience/Qualifications: Experience working with environmental regulations, asset management, field crews, and/or management of diverse skill groups such as those found in public works; Certifications in a related field including a Washington State Wastewater Operator Group III or IV Certificate issued by Washington State Department of Ecology.

Additional Requirements: Must possess a valid WA State Driver’s License within 30 days of hire. Must participate in LOTT’s Health and Safety Program.