Water Utility Supervisor - Maintenance

City of Fargo   Fargo, ND   Full-time     Maintenance
Posted on September 25, 2024
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Under general direction, the Water Utility Supervisor plans and organizes the activities of a work unit responsible for carrying out Enterprise Utility functions and projects.

Scope of Responsibility:

This position supervises activities and a staff of Mechanics, Maintenance Attendants, Drivers, and part-time and seasonal employees for the City's Water Treatment Plant. The position is responsible for all maintenance issues for all plant equipment and systems including the high service pump building, the raw water building, emergency pumping station and Sheyenne river valves, intakes, pumps, etc. The Water Utility Supervisor assists in managing a $5-10 million department operations budget and CIP planning. The position is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work.
  1. Assists with the design and development of new Water Treatment Plant facilities and facilities improvements and remodeling such as new water towers, ground storage reservoirs, pump stations for raw water and finished water, regional pump stations, new water treatment technologies, etc.
    1. Specifies equipment and systems;
    2. Works with consultants on project design such as HVAC systems, chemical feed and softening systems, wash water recover pumps, etc.;
    3. Monitors and oversees work of contractors.
    4. Provides informed input for annual and multi-year capital budgets.
  2. Design and implement maintenance programs through various channels (Cityworks CMMS, Hach WIMS, other programs) for the following processes and Water Utility facility areas:
    1. Raw water facilities for the Red River and Sheyenne River.
    2. Pre-treatment equipment such as flocculation, sedimentation, and plate settlers.
    3. Lime-soda ash softening equipment such as primary/secondary softening basins and lime slakers.
    4. Ozonation equipment such as liquid oxygen, ozone generators, diffuser systems, ozone injection skids, ozone destruct equipment, and other auxiliary equipment.
    5. Filtration equipment for conventional and membrane plants as well as related auxiliary systems.
    6. Microfiltration/ultrafiltration equipment, clean-in-place systems, auxiliary systems, valves, and other devices.
    7. Reverse osmosis (RO) equipment such as RO pumps, RO skids, clean-in-place systems, degasifiers, and other related systems.
    8. Chemical feed systems.
    9. Building automation and HVAC systems.
    10. Compressed air and service water booster systems.
    11. Electrical and generator systems for serving Water Utility facilities.
    12. Buildings and structural maintenance.
    13. Ground storage reservoirs and water towers.
    14. Regional pumping sites.
    15. Grounds, irrigation systems, and landscape maintenance.
    16. Other Water Utility related facilities and equipment.
  3. Plans and implements various safety procedures.
  4. Plans, implements and coordinates projects such as water tower re-landscaping/xeriscape project.
  5. On call 24/7.Performs repair work when called.
  6. Obtains bids from service contract providers; makes recommendations and oversees their work.
  7. Plans and organizes work unit activities including prioritizing and delegating projects to each shift based on scheduling of staff, time, staff's expertise to perform the function, etc. to ensure efficiency and quality of process. The work activities relate to the operation/maintenance of water facilities, which are industrial/production operations with a wide-variety of systems and equipment.The water utility is regional provider, serving not only Fargo but large consecutive system users (West Fargo, Horace, Cass Rural Water Users District).
  8. Evaluates work unit procedures and makes adjustments to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
    1. Visually inspects completed work and work-in-progress to determine if proper procedures were followed and if work meets departmental, state and federal guidelines;
    2. Works with staff to identify, develop and implement improvements to operations toward costs savings and efficiencies in addition to quality control advancements;
    3. Serves as a resource to staff in resolving a wide variety of technical problems;
    4. Develops, recommends and implements training and standard operating procedures for staff to follow to ensure their safety and the efficient operation of equipment.
  9. Using independent judgment provides supervision and leadership to department personnel under the span of control.
    1. Participates in decisions on matters of hiring, transfer, suspension, lay off, recall, promotion, discharge, assignment, reward, adjusting grievances or disciplining employees under the span of control;
    2. Sets goals and objectives for others to work towards and monitors performance;
    3. Leads unit in creating and maintaining a positive work environment and fostering effective performance of staff;
    4. Conducts ongoing feedback, coaching, mentoring, and collaborates with the responsible supervisor and recommends performance review content for assigned employees;
    5. Provides training and work direction, ensuring the employee knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;ensures that each employee:
      1. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
      2. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
      3. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
    6. Plans the work schedule to meet department demands and to limit overtime costs to reasonable and necessary levels;
    7. Encourages employee growth and development by providing or encouraging learning opportunities;
    8. Participates in decisions regarding the content of jobs and the number of staff within the functional areas under the span of control.
  10. Gathers and maintains records of facilities data.
    1. Prepares a variety of reports and reviews those prepared by staff relating to operating conditions, equipment, and compliance with department rules and local, state and federal rules and regulations.
  11. Oversees the work performed by contractors and other outside vendors in the treatment plants and regional facilities to ensure contract specifications are met and compliance with city standards and specifications.
  12. Maintains inventory of materials and supplies.
    1. Orders appropriate quantities of materials for water system operation based on inventory on-hand, consumption rate, delivery times, available storage space, etc.
  13. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
    1. Frequently interacts with the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
    2. Interaction occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work related objective;
    3. Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the function;
    4. Responds to informational inquiries, complaints and requests from the general public, etc. regarding specific work situations, departmental policies and procedures, records and other matters concerning assessments.Resolves problems and concerns as necessary.
  14. Performs other duties and activities as assigned.
The job requires a high school diploma or its equivalent (G.E.D.) and six or more years of progressively responsible experience in performing public works projects or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. An Associates degree in Mechanics is also required. No certification is required. A valid driver's license with specific endorsements may be required.

Knowledge, skills and abilities include:
  • Knowledge of the proper and safe operation, servicing and maintenance of material moving equipment;
  • Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the operation or maintenance of equipment and public works projects and operations;
  • Knowledge of public work procedures, practices and common structure and relationship within the City, etc.;
  • Knowledge of governmental administrative practices including budgeting, purchasing and policy formulation;
  • Knowledge of human resource management practices such as training, discipline, delegation, etc.;
  • Skill in organizing and prioritizing work;
  • Skill in providing instruction, training and work direction to others;
  • Skill in performing basic mathematical computation such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division;
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, and have strong public relations skills;
  • Ability to interpret technical manuals and reports;
  • Ability to select competent personnel and to train them to perform their duties in an effective and efficient manner;
  • Ability to supervise personnel in a manner conducive to efficient performance and high morale;
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Work is performed in a plant environment. Work is generally heavy with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. There is some exposure to chemicals and fumes. Driving is required on a weekly basis. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is moderate attention to detail and deadlines.

Standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.

City of Fargo

Fargo , ND