Full Time Chief Operator

JOB DESCRIPTION – CHIEF OPERATOR
Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Chief Operator plans, organizes, and
supervises the water and wastewater operations of the District, as well as the work of the
District’s shift operators. The BCPUD is a rural utility district with extensive water and
wastewater infrastructure that is operated and maintained by a small staff of three shift
operators (in addition to the Chief Operator position). As such, the Chief Operator must
possess extensive in-depth knowledge of water and wastewater operations and the ability to
work daily on a hands-on basis, side-by-side with the shift operators.
In addition to the primary responsibilities set forth in this job description, the Chief Operator
performs all tasks of the district’s Shift Operators; as such, this job description expressly
incorporates by reference all essential functions and other terms of the attached Shift Operator
Job Description.
Essential Functions
• Plans, organizes, and supervises the work of staff assigned to the district’s water and
wastewater transmission/collection, treatment and distribution/disposal systems, including
but not limited to maintenance and operations work.
• Establishes work schedules for 24/7 regular and/or emergency operations, including but
not limited to the weekday, weekend and stand-by schedules; approves shift operator
requests for time-off.
• Assumes responsibility for plant operating logs and the development of required operating
reports.
• Builds and maintains constructive and cooperative working relationships and open lines of
communications with contractors, regulators, and representatives of other government
agencies.
• Provides consultation and input to the General Manager and outside engineers for the
planning and development of new and/or rehabilitated facilities and equipment.
• Ensures the maintenance of an adequate inventory of chemicals and supplies for water and
wastewater plant operations.
• Inspects water and wastewater treatment plants and ensures proper operating conditions,
including but not limited to evaluation and analysis of performance-monitoring devices
and procedures and computerized data systems.
• Maintains a variety of files and records.
• Directs the proper conduct of standardized water and wastewater quality control tests.
• Directs emergency operation and repair work.
• Assists the General Manager with development and administration of water and
wastewater budgets, including but not limited to Capital Improvement Projects.
• Establishes and maintains positive, cooperative and constructive working relationships
with co-workers, outside agencies, and the public/customers.
• Regular attendance and adherence to prescribed work schedule, including weekday, standby and weekend shifts, to conduct job responsibilities. 

Other Duties
• Regularly updates the General Manager on personnel operations, problems, policies
and administrative information.
• Provides support to the General Manager in making presentations regarding District
operations to the Board of Directors.
• Reviews operator time reports for proper allocation of time and approves them.
• Holds periodic staff meetings and instructs staff in proper safety procedures.
• Effectively represents the District at functions with the public/customers, contractors,
regulators, and representatives of other government agencies.
• Performs related duties as assigned by the General Manager.
Job Standards/Specifications
Knowledge of:
• Operating principles, methods, materials, and equipment used in water and wastewater
systems and operations.
• Repair, maintenance, and adjustment of water and wastewater transmission, treatment and
distribution equipment.
• Chemical and quality testing.
• Laws, regulations, and ordinances applicable to water and wastewater operations.
• Proper work safety standards.
• Principles of employee training and supervision.

Ability to:
• Plan, organize, direct, and supervise the operation, maintenance, and repair of water and
wastewater treatment systems, plants, equipment and other facilities.
• Oversee the proper conduct and interpretation of standard water and wastewater quality
tests.
• Ensure proper completion and inspection of major construction projects.
• Provide supervision and training for assigned staff; provide input to the General Manager
on staff evaluations.
• Read plant measurement and recording equipment, interpreting results to make
adjustments to plant operations.
• Use proper safety precautions in working with plant chemicals.
• Read and interpret plans, diagrams, blueprints, and plant piping and distribution diagrams.
• Develop information and prepare reports.
Essential Physical Requirements/Activities
• Operate District vehicles, including heavy equipment, in connection with water and
wastewater operations, plant, field and maintenance work.
• Hearing, vision, and eye-hand coordination sufficient to operate heavy equipment foot and
hand controls and to maintain good awareness during maintenance and construction jobs.
• Must be able to regularly and/or repetitively carry, push, pull, reach, and lift equipment,
tools and parts weighing up to 60 lbs. 
• Frequent and/or repetitive stooping, kneeling, bending, twisting, reaching, grabbing,
grasping, torquing, crouching, crawling, and climbing during treatment plant and field
maintenance and repair work.
• Work in an environment with exposure to cleaning solutions, chemicals, dust, dirt, inclement
weather, and significant temperature changes between cold and heat.
• Communicate professionally and respectfully with District staff, Board Members and
customers in face-to-face, one-to-one settings, or otherwise.
• Regularly use a telephone for communication.
• Use office equipment such as computer terminals, copiers, and FAX machines.
• Stand and walk for extended time periods. Regular walking on uneven ground.
• Hearing and vision within normal ranges with or without correction.
• Use of special visual or auditory protective equipment frequently required.
• Frequent work with bio-hazards.
• Enter confined spaces/high places (up to 25 feet above ground) by ladder.
• Use safety equipment such as harnesses, SCBA, and dust/chemical masks.
Environmental Factors
• Exposure to sun: 50 – 100% work time spent outside a building and exposed to the sun.
• Work above floor level: some work done on ladders or other surfaces from 4 – 25 feet above
the ground.
• Humidity: work in areas with unusually high humidity.
• Wetness: more than 10% of work time getting part or all of the body and/or clothing wet.
• Noise: occasionally there are unusually loud sounds.
• Slippery surfaces: occasional work on unusually slippery surfaces.
• Oil: some parts of the body in contact with oil or grease occasionally.
• Dust: works in or around areas of minor amounts of dust.
• Work in close proximity to raw sewage and chemicals, using personal protective equipment.
• Irregular or extended hours: regularly required to change working hours or work overtime.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the necessary knowledge
and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities to perform the Chief Operator position would be:

Education: Completion of a Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university in
a related field such as engineering, biology, or other science; or four years of equivalent work
experience in the field.

Experience: Preference for ten (10) years or more of increasingly responsible experience in water
and wastewater facility maintenance and operations work with at least two years in a lead or
supervisory capacity. Knowledge of electrical power and control systems, hydraulics, mechanical
hardware and water chemistry is especially desirable.
License Certificate Registration Requirements
1. Valid California Driver's License.
2. Completion of an Association of California Water Agencies/JPIA-approved defensive driving
training program within six (6) months of employment. 
3. Valid Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System Operator Certificates
 of the minimum grade required by the State of California (T-2 and D-2), or higher
4. Valid Wastewater Treatment Certification and Wastewater Collection System Certification of
the minimum grade required by the State of California (WWT-1, WWCS-1), or higher.
5. High School diploma (or equivalent).
6. Social Security Number.
7. Any other information required by law

Information

• Location: Bolinas, United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Manager, Director, Professor

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy

• Operation & Maintenance
• Operations