Chester County Wastewater Recovery CWR - District Engineer

Chester County Wastewater Recovery an independent selfsustaining special purpose district (the District) responsible for managing wastewater treatment services throughout Chester County. Operating separately from county government the district plays a critical role in ensuring effective wastewater management and supporting community development.

Chester County Wastewater Recovery is seeking an accomplished and innovative District Engineer to lead its Engineering Department and contribute to the Countys dynamic growth and economic development initiatives. This newly established role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Chester County Wastewater Recoverys infrastructure and operations while driving excellence in engineering practices. Reporting directly to the Executive Director the District Engineer oversees construction projects manages departmental operations ensures regulatory compliance and acts as a key collaborator in planning and development efforts. The District Engineer designs and reviews plans prepares and seals construction documents and provides strategic guidance for infrastructure upgrades and replacements. Acting as a technical leader the Engineer ensures all projects meet federal state and local regulations and align with the Districts broader objectives.

The District Engineer is responsible for managing construction and project oversight including developing designs specifications and contract documents conducting bid openings and supervising construction management and inspections. The Engineer prepares regulatory submissions to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reviews contractor proposals and approves consultant invoices and pay requests. As the primary technical authority the District Engineer monitors regulatory developments from agencies such as the EPA and SCDES oversees the FOG and pretreatment programs and ensures compliance reporting is completed accurately and on time. Additionally the Engineer prepares permits certifies asbuilt drawings and contributes professional expertise to grant applications through cost estimates mapping and correspondence.

In the role of departmental leader the District Engineer oversees the daytoday operations of the Engineering Department including preparing annual budgets monitoring expenditures and updating design manuals and specifications. This position also involves working in partnership on staff development recruitment and training while fostering a culture of accountability professional growth and teamwork. The District Engineer provides feedback and coaching to employees ensuring alignment with District standards and departmental goals.

The District Engineer plays a critical role in the Districts economic development initiatives by collaborating with local and state officials developers and prospective industrial clients to promote wastewater availability and support infrastructure planning. This role includes representing the District at economic development meetings participating in contract negotiations and addressing inquiries related to utility services. The Engineer ensures clear communication with customers consulting engineers regulatory agencies and District personnel to maintain transparency and effective collaboration.

Priorities

• Take a proactive handson approach to leading the Engineering Department while aligning efforts with the Executive Directors broader vision. Provide strategic guidance on infrastructure upgrades and replacements balancing immediate needs with longterm growth.
• The District Engineer must develop and implement a comprehensive asset management system that incorporates GIS work order systems and inhouse capabilities. This will improve infrastructure tracking maintenance and longterm planning while reducing reliance on external consultants.
• Effectively manage and prioritize ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects ensuring that they are aligned with the Districts strategic goals completed on time and within budget.
• Maintain stringent adherence to local state and federal regulations (e.g. EPA SCDES) across all engineering projects and activities.
• Collaborate with local government developers and industry leaders to enhance infrastructure availability particularly wastewater services to attract and support economic growth in the County. Develop and implement economic development procedures that align with the Districts longterm goals ensuring that infrastructure planning is supportive of both immediate and future economic needs.
• Review and improve internal systems and workflows including work orders design manuals and asset management processes to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Board local government officials regulatory bodies developers and industries to ensure communication is clear transparent and effective.
• Work closely with other departments especially in areas of planning budget management and crossdepartmental coordination to ensure cohesive progress on districtwide goals. Enhance the technical competence of the engineering team through recruitment training and fostering a culture of accountability and professional growth.

The Successful Candidate

The next District Engineer will be a highly skilled resultdriven leader with expertise in water and wastewater treatment and utility infrastructure management. The ideal candidate will possess comprehensive knowledge of civil and environmental engineering with a focus on water/wastewater systems including treatment collection and distribution. They will be wellversed in the relevant laws ordinances regulations and District policies ensuring operations comply with legal standards and internal protocols.

This individual will apply independent judgment to both routine and complex tasks making sound decisions and interpreting technical documents effectively. The District Engineer will produce reports correspondence and other written materials with accuracy and attention to detail and will handle required calculations with ease. The District Engineer will be handson engaging in all aspects of the Districts operations from capital planning and coordinating with consultants to ensuring the efficient operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure. They will anticipate challenges and opportunities take initiative in completing tasks independently and seek out grant opportunities to secure funding for key projects.

A collaborative communicator the District Engineer will build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders including internal teams government officials consultants contractors and the public. Politically astute they will navigate complex political landscapes and engage with stakeholders to ensure successful project outcomes. They will also foster positive relationships with Board members and County departments such as Economic Development. With strong leadership abilities the District Engineer will mentor staff and guide their professional development. They will promote interdepartmental collaboration and maintain high morale within the team. They will ensure compliance with safety regulations and best practices particularly in managing physical hazards such as machinery toxic agents and extreme weather conditions.

The District Engineer will be processoriented ensuring the efficiency compliance and continuous improvement of District operations. They will be a strategic thinker planning and organizing both short and longterm goals and managing resources to meet deadlines. They will seek innovative approaches to operational challenges and remain flexible to change that enhances efficiency. Comfortable with modern technology including GIS systems and data management tools the District Engineer will integrate new technologies into the Districts infrastructure ensuring systems meet future needs. They will respond decisively in emergency situations applying their technical knowledge to address concerns effectively. This leader will understand the Districts policies and procedures and ensure compliance while aligning operations with organizational goals. They will regularly review and adjust strategies to meet the evolving needs of the District and its stakeholders.

Qualifications

Requirements include a bachelors degree in civil engineering or a closely related field and five years of progressively responsible experience in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education training and experience that provides the required knowledge skills and abilities. Must have or be able to immediately obtain a South Carolina professional engineers (PE) license.

Inside Chester County Wastewater Recovery

As a selfsustaining organization Chester County Wastewater Recovery does not rely on taxpayer funding but generates revenue through service fees and operational management. For the current year the organization has an operating budget of $and a capital budget of $5351500. The absence of unions within Chester County Wastewater Recovery allows for streamlined decisionmaking and operational flexibility. However Chester County Wastewater Recoverys priorities often shift to accommodate economic development projects requiring frequent adjustments to infrastructure planning and service delivery. This adaptability is key to maintaining operational efficiency and meeting the evolving needs of industries in the County. As Chester County grows and industries expand Chester County Wastewater Recovery must continually adapt to new challenges while managing strong relationships with its customers. The organizations success is rooted in balancing shifting economic development priorities with its longterm goals of sustainability and regulatory compliance. The leadership team at Chester County Wastewater Recovery consists of dedicated professionals who oversee both daily operations and longterm strategic planning. Through its focus on selfsufficiency and high standards in wastewater treatment and infrastructure development Chester County Wastewater Recovery remains a distinct and effective entity separate from other local government bodies in the County.

The Chester Sewer District (doing business as Chester County Wastewater Recovery) is a specialpurpose district created by Legislative Act No. 480 as amended by Act No. 1186 (and subsequent amendments) of the Acts of the State of South Carolina in 1964. Chester County Wastewater Recovery was established with the purpose of transporting treating and disposing of wastewater originating within its service area. Its functions include constructing operating and maintaining lateral (collector) and interceptor sewers trunk lines and wastewater treatment plants. By agreement with the City of Chester Chester County Wastewater Recovery also operates and maintains the sewer system within city limits. Chester County Wastewater Recovery is governed by a fivemember commission known as the Chester County Wastewater Recovery Commission with members appointed by the Governor. The service area of Chester County Wastewater Recovery is defined by statute.

Capacity Expansion and Economic Growth

Chester County Wastewater Recovery operates three wastewater treatment plants (WWTP): Sandy River Rocky Creek and LandoManetta.

• Sandy River WWTP has a treatment capacity of 2.133 million gallons per day (MGD) and serves 3022 customers primarily in the City of Chester handling domestic wastewater flows.
• Rocky Creek WWTP has a treatment capacity of 1.600 MGD and serves 1032 residential 145 commercial and nine industrial customers.
• LandoManetta WWTP has a treatment capacity of 1.200 MGD and serves 101 residential 50 commercial and six industrial customers.

In total Chester County Wastewater Recovery manages nearly 200 miles of collection lines and 15 lift stations serving about 4365 customers.

Importance of Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment is a crucial service for Chester Countys residents businesses and industries. Without this infrastructure industrial growth and residential expansion would be severely limited.

Growing Demand for Wastewater Capacity

The I77 corridor running through eastern Chester County has become a hotspot for industrial and residential development. However LandoManetta WWTP is nearing full capacity limiting the ability to meet growing demand.

Chester County Wastewater Recovery has received numerous requests for service from potential industries and residential developments but many have been unfulfilled due to capacity constraints. To support continued economic growth Chester County Wastewater Recovery is pursuing a solution to expand treatment capacity in partnership with the City of Rock Hill. The proposed project would add 4.0 MGD of capacity from Rock Hill significantly enhancing wastewater service in the region.

The Proposed Expansion

The project involves constructing a 4 MGD regional pump station at LandoManetta WWTP along with approximately 47400 feet of 20inch force main connecting to the existing Wildcat force main near Southland on the City of Rock Hills system. Key benefits include:

• Elimination of the NPDES discharge from LandoManetta WWTP into Fishing Creek.
• Reduction of operational costs by consolidating wastewater treatment reducing the need to maintain three separate plants.

This expansion will address both current and future demand for wastewater services particularly in the rapidly growing areas of LandoRichburg and the I77 corridor.

Project and Sewer Agreement

This capacity expansion project is the culmination of years of planning by the Chester County Wastewater Recovery Commission its staff engineers and consultants with input from state officials advocating for regional wastewater solutions. The project along with its associated Sewer Agreement will ensure that Chester County Wastewater Recovery can continue supporting economic development and growth for years to come.

Conclusion

This project is critical to meeting the growing wastewater treatment needs of Chester County. By expanding capacity Chester County Wastewater Recovery will continue to foster industrial and residential development ensuring sustained economic growth for the region.

Chester County Community

Chester County South Carolina is a region rich in history and natural beauty offering a blend of smalltown charm and rural landscapes. Located in the northcentral part of the state the County is known for its welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community. With a population of just over 32000 residents Chester County is an ideal place for both work and life boasting a relaxed pace of living while maintaining close access to larger cities like Charlotte North Carolina and Columbia South Carolina. The county seat Chester serves as a hub for local government business and cultural activities.

The County offers a variety of recreational activities with a wealth of outdoor spaces such as parks and nature trails providing residents and visitors with opportunities for hiking fishing and enjoying the local flora and fauna. Chester Countys agriculture and heritage are celebrated in local festivals museums and historical sites. The regions agricultural roots remain vital as it continues to thrive in producing a wide range of crops including cotton corn and soybeans.

Chester County is also focused on economic development with efforts to attract and retain businesses particularly in manufacturing and logistics. The County offers a businessfriendly environment supported by its strategic location near major highways and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This combination of affordable living excellent local amenities and strong economic opportunities makes Chester County a great place to settle or build a career.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $115000 $130000 depending on qualifications with an excellent benefits package.

Benefits offered include the following:

• South Carolina Retirement System Membership
• Group health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long term disability insurance
• South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program
• Retiree health insurance coverage
• Annual holiday and sick leave

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning March 3 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Pamela Wideman at and Robert Colichio at .

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