Operations Supervisor II - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, Water Reclamation Plant

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.

Howard County Government:

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the 2025 Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) the most awards in the state of Maryland and the fifth highest in the nation as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents improve existing programs upgrade working conditions and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

What are we looking for

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This is a skilled technical operations and supervisory position at The Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant. The work is performed under general supervision of the Plant Superintendent and involves performing skilled operational and maintenance tasks as well as supervision of other Plant personnel.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$34.43 - $45.09
$71614 - $93787

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs intermediate supervisory level and advanced operations service work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes supervising the activities of laboring and equipment operation personnel in areas such as construction maintenance utility and water reclamation work.

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Oversees the day-to-day operations of the wastewater treatment plant; supervises instructs and assigns specific duties to Operators. Enforces established policies procedures and general guidelines. Analyzes instrument and lab data to determine process requirements and ensures adherence to Plant standard operating practices. Performs on-call duties on a rotating basis to provide supplementary process/equipment decisions in absence of or in conjunction with superintendents and engineer of the Plant. Responds to Plant power outages and other emergency conditions.

Inspects Plant equipment and processes regularly; determines sites and causes of malfunctions; plans organizes directs and controls required operational modifications or any required adjustments and repairs. Prioritizes and coordinates Plant operations with and between Operations and Maintenance and outside agencies and suppliers. Reviews and prepares comments on technical and engineering drawings. Performs system administration and configuration tasks on Plant distributed control and database computers.

Maintains and evaluates operating records and communicates with other Plant personnel regarding Plant conditions. Disseminates information on safety Plant processes and equipment status. Ensures adequate chemical and supplies inventories. Prepares and places orders for needed chemicals and supplies. Reviews and approves leave requests. Prepares weekly time reporting functions. Prepares regular operations reports. Assists in performing accident investigations and reports.

Develops and implements training sessions on various technical safety and process related topics and implements training with both other Plant personnel and outside groups in either a formal or informal setting. Conducts Plant tours.

Replaces operating or maintenance workers during staffing shortages. May perform duties of Plant Superintendent in his absence. Monitors and evaluates employee performance providing feedback and establishes future goals on an individual basis. Participates in interviewing and selecting lower level operators.

Directly supervises four employees in the Operations Section. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing hiring and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

This position is considered emergency essential and as such the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather or when an emergency situation arises.

High School Diploma or GED and six (6) years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Thorough knowledge of the principles practices and methods used in wastewater treatment operations.

Possession of aClass 5A Wastewater Operator Certificate for six (6) years or more.

Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment in a water reclamation plant.

Knowledge of the occupational health and safety hazards connected with the operation of a water reclamation plant.

Knowledge of supervisory methods and techniques.

Ability to organize supervise and inspect the work of employees engaged in the operation of a water reclamation plant.

Ability to interpret piping and electrical drawings and schematics; interpret process tests and make adjustments accordingly.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to successfully complete a seven-hour training program approved by the State for Superintendents license at the first opportunity offered by the State; and maintenance of said certificate during tenure of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stoop kneel crouch or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Rotating shift work may be required.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

LANGUAGE SKILLS MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read analyze and interpret general business periodicals professional journals technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers clients customers and the general public.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as flow rates Mean Cell Residence Times weights proportions percentages area circumference and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Class C Maryland Drivers License.

Class 5A Wastewater Operator Certificate. Out of state applicants are required to obtain a statement of reciprocity.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY:You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening background screening and reference checks.

At time of application please submit a copy of any college degree coursework licenses or certifications that you have referenced on your who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services () or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Howard Countyis an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity equity and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion age sex ancestry creed national origin disability status genetics marital statusmilitary service sexual orientation gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at .Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.