Job Description

Competition number:24-086Salary:$98,446.00 - $108,658.00/YearJob Type:Permanent Full TimeClosing Date:July 14, 2024Position Overview:The City of Saint John is actively seeking an Operations Manager to join our Saint John Water team.The incumbent will be part of a team that will provide safe, high quality drinking/potable water and wastewater services to the public through the reliable and cost effective operation of water transmission, distribution and wastewater collection systems.Safeguard the environment by effectively and efficiently managing the wastewater treatment and pumping operations within the City of Saint John.Provide safe, high quality water and wastewater services to the community and effective emergency response through leadership of reliable, cost effective utility operations.Key Result Areas:The operations team is responsible for all of the following. However, the successful candidate will be assigned to one area but the assignment is subject to change.Water Treatment /Water Distribution:Protect the health and well-being of the public by ensuring effective management of the protective barriers that prevent contamination from entering the systems and reaching consumers, in compliance with all statutes, regulations, recognized quality standards and Certificates of Approval to operate drinking water facilities through:

• Source Water Protection: ensuring watershed management, raw water testing, and monitoring land use and activity in watersheds.

• Treatment: overseeing water treatment operations, process and facility performance, disinfection performance, flow rates and reporting.

• Operations and Maintenance: developing and implementing procedures and preventative maintenance programs that optimize operations and life-cycle management of assets, while ensuring workplace safety.

• Monitoring and Alarms: managing system pressures, overseeing alarm systems, water quality testing as per the approved sampling plan, record keeping, trending of data, managing and reporting on key performance indicators, and reporting.

• Emergency Response: ensuring back-up and redundant systems are in place, and implementing emergency reporting procedures and contingency plans and being available outside normal business hours to respond to operational needs.

• Distribution System: maintaining system pressure and flows, sufficient to meet fire flow and customer needs, and system water quality; timely response to customer service requests and issues.

• Manage the Utility\'s current metering program for industrial, commercial and institutional customers.

• Assist in developing/implementing universal metering for all residential classified customers.

• Manage and expand the Utility\'s current backflow prevention program and cross-connection control program.

• Asset Management: supporting improvement of infrastructure records and the movement towards asset management decision making, track age, performance and condition of transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Wastewater Treatment /Wastewater Collection:Safeguard the environment by ensuring effective management of the protective elements that prevent contamination of receiving waters and the environment in compliance with statutes, regulations, recognized quality standards and Certificates of Approval to operate wastewater works through:

• Collection Systems: directing the operation and maintenance of all wastewater collection and pumping facilities with associated systems, overflow by-passes and sewage system outfalls.

• Treatment: overseeing wastewater treatment operations, process and facility performance, disinfection performance, flow rates, sludge disposal and reporting.

• Operations and Maintenance: implement procedures and preventive maintenance programs that optimize operations and life-cycle management of assets, while ensuring workplace safety.

• Monitoring and Alarms: regular wastewater effluent testing in accordance with the approved testing plans, laboratory testing, record keeping and reporting, including by-passing and overflows, and keeping alarm systems active while also seeking opportunities to improve monitoring and alarms.

• Protection of Receiving Waters: tracking receiving water quality and details, monitoring surrounding land uses and activities near discharge locations, adhering to current and emerging effluent standards, and administering Provincial and Federal environmental reporting responsibilities for the work unit.

• Emergency Response: ensuring back-up and redundant systems are in place; implement emergency reporting procedures, and establish contingency plans, and being available outside normal business hours to respond to operational needs.

• Collection System: operating and maintaining all wastewater collection gravity mains, forcemains, overflow by-pass piping, sewage outfalls, and service lateral connections; the maintenance of system integrity and service reliability; timely response to customer service requests and issues.

• Asset Management: supporting improvement of infrastructure records and the movement towards asset management decision making; track age and condition of sanitary collection infrastructure.

All Service Areas:Ensure the effective performance, financial accountability and integrity of the work unit is maintained by:

• Ensuring team awareness of overall direction, service activities, roles and responsibilities.

• Managing services, projects and work orders with accountability for results, budget management and efficient use of resources.

• Identifying continuous improvement opportunities and seeing them through to implementation.

• Measuring performance, analyzing activities and reporting on results.

• Preparing operating and capital budget requests, reviewing and authorizing expenditures, monitoring, analyzing and reporting on monthly budget summaries and taking necessary actions.

• Managing and approving the purchase of goods and services in accordance with corporate procedures and standards.

• Authorizing payment of invoices, within established organizational limits and budgetary restrictions.

• Participating in engineering project reviews.

Provide for the effective and efficient operation of the unit within Saint John Water by:

• Setting clear operational direction in line with overall departmental objectives.

• Overseeing the planning, supervision, control and coordination of services, activities and operations of the work unit.

• Creating and fostering a work culture characterized by the fundamental principles of quality management and continuous improvement.

• Participating in the selection of motivated and able staff.

• Planning, organizing and coordinating programs and projects.

Support and develop employees through effective leadership by:

• Modeling organizational values.

• Setting and communicating clear performance expectations.

• Providing a safe, quality, motivating work environment.

• Managing employee training and development.

• Resolving issues, sensitively, confidentially, effectively and in accordance with organizational industrial relations practices.

• Championing and participating in the City\'s health and safety program and ensuring compliance with the New Brunswick Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations, as well as City of Saint John Health and Safety policies and procedures.

• Managing lost time claims and participating in Return-to-Work teams.

Provide after-hours management guidance and direction of emergency, and other unplanned services. In addition, be a standing member of the 24/7 Department Duty Manager Rotation.Support emergency response requirements by ensuring that back-up systems and contingency plans are in place, and that all staff members are trained and able to fulfill their roles under emergency conditions.Enhance the ability of Saint John Water to fulfill its mandate by being a valued member of the leadership team.Support the Deputy Commissioner of Saint John Water, by providing insight, guidance and assistance and acting on his/her behalf, with regard to operational matters as appropriate.Essential Qualifications:EducationAn Undergraduate degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, Environmental or other relevant discipline) from a recognized institution.Desirable Post-Secondary and Professional DesignationsWater and/or Wastewater Operator Certification is considered an asset. The successful candidate will be required to obtain these certifications within 2 years of hire.Professional designation as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) is considered an asset.ExperiencePrevious experience working in heavily regulated environment such as water, waste water, public safety, environment, or oil and gas.Progressive experience in industrial operations including at least 5 years in management. Experience working in a supervisor capacity governed by collective agreements.A combination of relevant education and experience will be considered.Only those applicants being considered further will be contacted.The successful applicant will be eligible to work a compressed work week of 4 days (Monday to Thursday) throughout the trial period of the City\'s recently adopted Compressed Work Week Trial. This schedule is subject to change.Equal Opportunity EmployerWe are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live and which we serve. We encourage and support applications from Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups. Candidates who belong to such groups, who are qualified, will be given preference at the time of selection.Applications will be accepted through our online system only. Qualified applicants should submit their cover letters and resumes to:City of Saint John
Attn: Hiring Committee
www.saintjohn.ca (careers/employment opportunities)

Saint John