Job Summary: The Utilities Supervisor plans, supervises, coordinates and participates in the maintenance and repair of the County's water distribution, wastewater collection and conveyance systems and related facilities. The position is responsible for field-services staff, preventive and corrective maintenance, pump stations, grinder pumps, equipment reliability, work-order quality, construction observation, and emergency response. The position is a working supervisor who performs and directs complex mechanical, electrical and multi-trade work while developing the technical capability and independence of assigned employees. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Water & Wastewater Superintendent.
Essential Functions
Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
- Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews and participates in the daily work of assigned field-maintenance staff.
- Supervises preventive and corrective maintenance for water distribution systems; wastewater collection and transmission systems; pump stations; grinder pumps; wells, tanks and generators; treatment-facility mechanical equipment; telemetry, SCADA and control hardware; Division vehicles, construction equipment, tools and related assets, in coordination with the Chief Operator and other staff as appropriate.
- Uses Fiix maintenance-management software to plan, assign, monitor and close work orders; reviews entries for completeness, accuracy, labor, materials, corrective action and follow-up needs.
- Establishes preventive-maintenance schedules, reviews recurring failures and work-order trends, identifies equipment risks, recommends corrective actions and helps plan equipment repair and replacement.
- Develops employee capability through hands-on training, coaching, cross-training, written procedures and documented competency expectations; evaluates on-call readiness and works to ensure that critical functions are understood by more than one employee.
- Manages the Division's rotating after-hours on-call program.
- Responds to water and wastewater emergencies and provides or coordinates troubleshooting and repair at any hour, including service interruptions, pump failures, alarms, electrical and control problems, blockages, overflows and severe-weather events.
- Performs or directs complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and related maintenance and repair work; engages qualified contractors or integrators when needed.
- Inspects and observes new water and wastewater connections, system additions and contractor work; reviews work for compliance with approved plans, County requirements and applicable codes; documents findings and authorizes or recommends acceptance within delegated authority.
- Schedules and coordinates contractors, obtains quotes, assists with scopes of work, monitors contractor performance and verifies completion.
- Operates and oversees the safe use and maintenance of dump trucks, pumper/tanker vehicles, backhoes, trailers and other light and heavy equipment.
- Ensures safe work practices and compliance with applicable MDE and EPA regulations, electrical codes, confined-space requirements, traffic-control requirements, and other applicable requirements.
- Participates in hiring and selection; sets expectations; completes performance evaluations; approves work schedules, timesheets and leave within delegated authority; provides counseling; and recommends or administers corrective action consistent with County policy.
- Assists with annual operating and capital budget preparation and recommends maintenance, equipment and replacement priorities.
- Communicates with customers, contractors, engineers, regulators, vendors and other County departments to resolve service, construction and maintenance matters.
- Maintains required certifications/licenses and performs other duties as required.
Supervision: The position reports to the Kent County Water and Wastewater Superintendent. Position supervises division staff.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:
- Leadership and staff development: Ability to supervise a working field crew, delegate effectively, establish expectations, coach employees, evaluate performance and build independent technical capability.
- Maintenance management: Thorough knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance practices for water and wastewater infrastructure, pumps, motors, generators, mechanical equipment, industrial electrical systems, single- and three-phase power, control circuits, variable-frequency drives, telemetry, PLC/SCADA-related equipment, and related facilities.
- Mechanical and trade skills: Ability to troubleshoot and perform mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other multi-trade work and to operate equipment safely.
- Planning and judgment: Ability to prioritize competing routine and emergency work, analyze failures, assess risk, allocate resources and make sound decisions under pressure.
- Work-order and computer skills: Ability to use Fiix or similar computerized maintenance-management software, mobile devices, Microsoft Office, email, internet resources and remote pump station-control applications; ability to review maintenance records for quality and completeness.
- Communication and customer service: Ability to give clear technical direction, document work, communicate calmly during emergencies and work effectively with employees, customers, contractors, engineers, regulators and other departments.
- Budgeting and procurement: Working knowledge of purchasing, quotation, contractor-management, inventory and budget practices.
- Safety and compliance: Working knowledge of occupational safety, electrical safety, confined space, traffic control, accident prevention and applicable water and wastewater requirements.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or
- At least three years of progressively responsible experience in the maintenance and repair of water, wastewater, industrial, municipal or comparable mechanical/electrical facilities, including experience directing employees or crews; or an equivalent combination of education, technical training and experience.
- Class D 1 Operator & Class C 2 Operator Certificate issued by the Maryland State Board of Waterworks and Waste System Operators, or ability to obtain both within a period established by the County.
- Valid Maryland Driver's License and an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Commercial Driver's License, or ability to obtain one within the period established by the County. Class A is preferred.
- CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within a period established by the County.
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
Work is conducted in a variety of settings some which provide comfortable lighting, temperature and air conditions, however some areas will expose the employee to occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less than optimal temperature and air conditions. The position routinely requires lifting of moderately heavy items, such as equipment, boxes (up to 50 pounds) and/or very long periods of walking on a routine basis, and/or standing for long periods of time and/or frequently requires stooping and bending.
Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts found at treatment facilities which require normal safety precautions and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.
Benefits
- Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Parental Leave
- Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Long-Term Disability & Short-Term Disability Coverage
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Tuition Reimbursement
Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.
This and all County positions are subject to transfer, based on need.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
