GENERAL PURPOSE
Under the direction of the WRRF Operations Manager, this position is primarily responsible for the administration, development, implementation, and enforcement of the Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) in accordance with local, State of Michigan, and Federal (EPA/NPDES) regulations.
In addition to IPP leadership responsibilities, this position performs skilled technical, laboratory, operational, maintenance, and compliance work necessary to ensure the safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant operation of the WRRF and collection system.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of the WRRF Operations Manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
None
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Responsibility – Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP)
- Administers and maintains the City’s Industrial Pretreatment Program in compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations.
- Conducts routine, annual, and unannounced inspections of Significant Industrial Users (SIUs) and other permitted industries.
- Performs and coordinates industrial sampling, including field sampling, sample preservation, chain-of-custody documentation, and compliance tracking.
- Reviews industrial self-monitoring reports for accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
- Assists in enforcement actions related to permit violations, including documentation, notices of violation, follow-up inspections, and compliance schedules.
- Inspects and monitors grease traps and food service establishments for compliance with local sewer use ordinances.
- Develops and updates industrial discharge permits and maintains required industrial user files and documentation.
- Maintains accurate IPP records for reporting and audit purposes.
- Prepares reports required by State and Federal regulatory agencies, including NPDES-related pretreatment documentation.
- Serves as the primary point of contact between the City and industrial users regarding pretreatment compliance.
Laboratory Management and Regulatory Compliance
- Develops, organizes, and maintains laboratory practices and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and data integrity.
- Develops and implements Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs.
- Performs and oversees NPDES-required compliance testing beyond routine daily operational lab work, including specialized or periodic analyses required by permit.
- Collects and analyzes wastewater samples to determine chemical, physical, and biological characteristics as required by NPDES permits and regulatory standards.
- Evaluates laboratory data for accuracy and compliance; identifies trends and operational impacts.
- Maintains laboratory inventory control, chemical tracking, and safety documentation (including SDS/MSDS).
- Maintains laboratory budget and procurement of supplies and equipment.
- Performs quality control testing on laboratory equipment and analytical procedures.
- Ensures proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory-generated hazardous waste.
WRRF Operations
- Monitors performance of plant equipment, gauges, meters, SCADA systems, and treatment processes.
- Records and evaluates operational data for process control adjustments.
- Assures plant operation within required local, State, and Federal standards.
- Performs process control calculations and adjusts treatment processes accordingly.
- Operates and maintains sewage pump stations; cleans wet wells and adjusts pumps and valves to regulate flow.
- Responds to alarms, system failures, and emergency situations.
- Responds to public complaints regarding wastewater system issues and performs or coordinates corrective actions.
Maintenance and Technical Support
- Assists in the maintenance, repair, and replacement of plant equipment, including pumps, blowers, filters, valves, gauges, and instrumentation.
- Calibrates, modifies, and repairs instrumentation and control equipment, including recorders, flow meters, and monitoring devices.
- Assists maintenance staff with mechanical and electrical troubleshooting as needed.
- Maintains plant drawings, schematics, and documentation of electrical and treatment systems.
- Monitors electrical systems, circuits, and plant equipment performance.
Safety and Compliance
- Performs all duties in conformance with established safety standards and procedures.
- Works safely in confined spaces, around hazardous chemicals, and near mechanical and electrical equipment.
- Participates in safety training and ensures IPP and laboratory operations meet health and safety standards.
Peripheral Duties
- Serves on employee committees as assigned.
- Provides backup support to the Water Treatment Plant when necessary.
- Performs other related duties as assigned that are similar, related, or logically connected to the position.
- All other duties as assigned
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent; supplemented by two (2) years of post-secondary education or technical training in biology, environmental science, chemistry, or related field.
- Minimum One (1) years of experience in an Industrial Pretreatment Program.
- Minimum four (4) years of experience in a Class B or larger wastewater treatment plant laboratory.
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of Industrial Pretreatment Program regulations, inspection, sampling, and enforcement procedures.
- Strong understanding of NPDES permit requirements and compliance reporting.
- Working knowledge of QA/QC procedures, laboratory methods, inventory control, and safety documentation.
- Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and plant operations.
- Ability to perform advanced process control calculations.
- Ability to interpret laboratory data and regulatory standards.
- Skill in operating laboratories and plant equipment.
- Ability to work safely under hazardous conditions.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, regulatory agencies, industrial representatives, and the public.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
-
Valid State of Michigan Driver’s License.
- State of Michigan Class C (or higher) Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Motor vehicles, pumps, generators, gauges, laboratory analytical instruments, sampling equipment, flow meters, detection devices, SCADA systems, hand and power tools, mobile radio, phone, and computer systems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Requires frequent standing, use of hands and arms, occasional lifting up to 50 pounds, confined space entry, and exposure to plant and laboratory environments. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in laboratory, plant, field, and outdoor environments. Frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, wastewater, chemicals, fumes, electrical systems, and varying weather conditions. Noise levels are typically moderately loud.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job-related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change as the employer's needs and job requirements evolve.
