Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

Pay: $100k-120k annually, plus 20% bonus eligibility

Benefits:

• 15 days of paid time off

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plan options

• Health Savings Account with employer match option

• Paid Parental Leave

• 401(k) with an employer match up to 4%

• Supplemental health plans through Aflac

• Employer paid basic life insurance

• Employee paid short-term disability option

• Employer-paid long-term disability

• Mental health support through Employee Assistance Program

• 7 paid holidays annually

Key Responsibilities:

Operation & Maintenance:

Oversee daily operation of the following treatment equipment and processes.

• Influent Receiving, Storage, Blending

• Chemical Oxidation

• Chemical Precipitation

• Dissolved Air Floatation

• Sludge Dewatering

• Process Chemical Feed Equipment

• Monitor and analyze process data, adjust controls, and identify inefficiencies or deviations from performance targets. Interpret sampling data, identify trends, troubleshoot performance issues, and implement corrective actions

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance schedules, ensuring prompt repairs of mechanical and monitoring systems.

• Knowledge of the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment.

• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary for the safe operation of a water treatment plant.

• Knowledge of chemical application in the water treatment process.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, particularly the Wastewater Discharge Permit and IEPA water quality standards and reporting requirements.

• Strong understanding of environmental and safety regulations; ability to manage permits, sampling, and reporting accordingly. Perform necessary monitoring in accordance with facility operating Wastewater Discharge Permit.

• Prepare and submit required operational reports and Wastewater Discharge Permit monitoring reports.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and develop operations, maintenance, and lab teams. Supervise hiring, training, scheduling, evaluations, and improvement plans.

• Foster a safety-first culture, ensuring OSHA compliance and promoting GFL safe work practices.

Budgeting & Administration:

• Develop and manage facility operating budgets. Routine operational and budget performance reporting to site General Manager.

• Administer contracts and service agreements; manage procurement of chemical and equipment supplies.

• Maintain computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and asset management systems.

Technical Oversight:

• Conduct process assessments and recommend optimizations or upgrades.

• Planning, directing, and supervising the work of personnel.

• Interface with internal engineering staff on capital improvements and process expansion.

Site Management:

• Ensure plant grounds, buildings, and equipment are well maintained; manage odor control and environmental hygiene.

• Oversee repair and rehabilitation projects and inspect projects for compliance.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Present operational updates to senior management, regulatory bodies, and the public.

• Serve as primary contact for internal audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.

Success Criteria / Key Metrics:

• Meeting or exceeding the discharge standards for the wastewater treatment process.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of treatment processes employed.

• Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory analytics, and industrial effluent testing protocols.

• Strong command of regulatory frameworks and discharge permit compliance.

• Knowledge of plant safety protocols, chemical handling, and maintenance of a safe work environment.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, including operations, maintenance, and laboratory staff.

• Excellent decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Solid financial acuity for budgeting, procurement, and contract management.

• Exceptional communication skills to interact with stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and public entities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Chemical, or Civil Engineering, or related field (or equivalent technical experience).

• Extensive hands-on experience managing industrial or municipal wastewater treatment operations (5–10+ years), with supervisory roles.

Certifications:

• Possession of ability to readily obtain a valid Illinois Class K treatment operator certification for Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Pretreatment.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.

Interfaces & Stakeholders:

• IEPA, Greater Peoria Sanitary District (GPSD) to maintenance compliance standards

• Vendors ordering chemicals and supplies

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, sit, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, climb, balance, and smell.

• Visual Requirements: include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

•  Ability to regularly lift/move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions & Travel:

• Work in an outdoor environment 70% - 90% of the time.

• Occasionally exposed to loud noise, humidity, hot and cold weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, vibration, toxic and caustic chemicals, fumes and airborne particles.

• Occasionally work in high precarious places.

• Noise level is usually moderate.

• No Travel Required