Local recruitment: Director of Drinking Water Production

• Salary: $95,018.00 – $106,088.00 Annually
• Location: Burlington, VT
• Job Type: Regular Full Time Exempt
• Job Number: Dir. of Drinking Water Prod.
• Department: Public Works
• Division: Water Resources
• Opening Date: 04/01/2025
• Closing Date: 4/11/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
• FLSA: Exempt
• Bargaining Unit: Non Union

General Purpose

Under administrative direction from the Division Director, oversees, supervises and coordinates the operations, process control, regulatory compliance, maintenance and strategic planning related to the treatment, pumping, storage and adequate supply of safe, clean drinking water to Burlington’s potable water taps and its wholesale customer Colchester FD #2.  

Union Affiliation: Non-Union 
Pay Grade 24: $95,018.00 – $106,088.00 Annually 
Remote Tier 2: Up to one (1) day remote/week

Essential Job Functions

Operations Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all conditions, sampling, and reporting requirements of the State of VT Water System Permit to Operate, the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (40 CFR), the State Water Supply Rule and the Partnership for Safe Water including coordination with the Director of Engineering and Operations on compliance items related to the distribution system. 
• Oversees the organization, staffing and operations activities for the drinking water treatment plant, pumping and storage structures (“Water Production”) including assuming responsibility for critical and complex decisions regarding operational changes, process control, maintenance priorities, scheduling and compliance with all applicable regulations and including distribution system water quality sampling.  Includes the following facilities:
  • Water Treatment Plant
  • Raw/Finished Water Pump Station
  • 7 million gallon Water Storage Reservoir
  • High Service Water Supply System
    • High Service Pump Station and 2 elevated storage tanks (150,000 and 500,000 gallons) critical to the provision of adequate pressure and supply to the upper elevations of the City including the University of Vermont Medical Center, Vermont’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.
  • Booster Pump for Colchester Fire District #2 supply
• Directs, coordinates, and review progress of the monthly, quarterly and annual work plans for operation and maintenance functions, services and activities for all aspects of the Water Production facilities; ensures the implementation of workplans through the Water Production Manager and Senior Mechanic.
• For the Water Production facilities, develops and ensures the implementation of techniques and programs for gathering data and monitoring trends; analyze plant performance and pump station performance trends, recommend and implement process control techniques or other improvements as necessary to ensure maximum operational efficiency (energy consumption, staff resources, cost mitigation etc.) and optimized plant finished and tap water quality. 
• Responsible for final review of the Plant Monthly Operation Report prior to submission by the Water Production Manager.
• Through the Senior Plant Mechanic, coordinates with maintenance personnel to correct deficiencies and minimize operational conflicts.
• In collaboration with the Water Resources Asset Manager, ensures that maintenance requirements and actions for water treatment, pumping and storage assets are recorded in the City’s asset management software. 
• Ensures timely development of and regular updates to the Operations and Maintenance Manual, all necessary Standard Operating Procedures and various regulatory plans (Emergency Response Plan, Source Protection Plan, annual Consumer Confidence Report etc.).
• Reads, understands and ensures compliance with the City of Burlington Safety Manual and, in conjunction with the City Safety Manager, reporting injuries, evaluating job hazards, ensuring adherence to training schedules and recommending safety equipment.
• Monitors State and Federal regulatory changes and reports on operational, budgetary, staffing and other implications to the Division Director.
• Oversee building and grounds maintenance activities for all water facilities.
• Performs all duties of subordinates as required.

Capital Improvements:

• Provides significant input into the Water Production Capital Improvement Plans, including prioritization of projects. 
• In collaboration with Water Resources Engineers, Senior Plant Mechanic and Water Production Manager, responsible for ensuring that items within the Water Production Capital Plan are implemented as scheduled.        
• Reviews reports and designs related to capital improvements to ensure compatibility with operations.
• Collaborates with Water Resources Engineers to provide operational oversight on the implementation of capital improvement projects.

Supervision

• Supervises the Water Production leadership team (Water Production Manager and the Senior Water Plant Mechanic) and the corrective maintenance duties of the Water Plant Mechanics and provides guidance and support to the supervision of all Water Production staff. 
• Establishes proficiency and performance standards for all water plant personnel; evaluates performance of direct reports informally and formally at regular intervals and ensures regular performance evaluations of their subordinates.
• Ensures the proper supervision and training of Water Production staff including scheduling training and developing training programs to ensure staff are properly trained in water treatment, analysis for permit parameters, process control analysis, corrective and preventative maintenance of equipment, and safety requirements.
• Oversees the hiring and ensures the proper on-boarding of all Water Production personnel.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance of all work within the Water Production group with the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• In collaboration with Human Resources, supports a culture of professional accountability through the implementation of the disciplinary ladder as necessary.
• Meets with staff regularly to identify and resolve issues.

Administration

• Participates in the development and administration of the Production program annual operating and capital budget, in planning for the next budget period by evaluating past expenditures, estimating future costs and making determination of new budget amounts; approves and submits purchase orders to the Division Director for purchases originating in the Water Production group; recommends budget adjustments as necessary.
• Receives, investigates, and delegates or responds to a variety of requests for information or assistance associated with water production from the general public, other City departments, vendors, federal and state agencies.
• Prepare a variety of written and numerical records and reports for the Division Director, State, and Federal officials on such subjects as treatment plant status, staff scheduling, budget items, maintenance and operations activities and special projects. 
• Responsible for ensuring purchasing and contracting activities of the Water Production program, adhere to the City’s Purchasing Policy.
• Responsible for procurement and contracting for water treatment chemicals, underwater inspections, on-call electrical and mechanical services.
• Coordinates with Customer Care and Water Resources Policy and Programs Advisor on public outreach and education related to drinking water quality.

Continuous Improvement

• Support the Division Director in developing and advancing continuous improvement efforts towards the effective utility management principles of operational optimization, financial viability, customer satisfaction/stakeholder understanding and support, and employee leadership and development for the Water Production work group. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Together with the Division Director, participates in the identification of goals and priorities for the Water Production Facilities to ensure continuous organizational and operational improvement. Develops resultant objectives, plans, policies and procedures. 
• Monitors the efficiency and workload of the organizational structure of the Water Facilities group and recommends organizational changes as necessary.
• Coordinates with the Director of Wastewater Facilities on areas of shared interest, including but not limited to safety programs, chemical and equipment procurement.
• Implements a work culture of professional accountability, curiosity and continuous learning.

Non-Essential Job Functions: 

• Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development

Education, Certifications and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or related science and six (6) years working in a water treatment plant required, Associates Degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or related field with eight (8) years working in a water treatment plant OR High School Diploma or equivalent with ten (10) years working in a water treatment plant required.
• Grade 4C Vermont Water Operator Certification (or equivalent) required.  
• Five (5) years of experience at the Grade 4C License level preferred. 
• Minimum 4 (four) years supervisory experience in an operations environment required. Previous supervisory experience in a 24-7 staffed, Union environment preferred.
• Experience overseeing operations and preventative and correction maintenance of water equipment preferred. 
• Completion of the OSHA 30 is preferred, must be completed within 1 year of hire.
• Valid driver’s license required. A valid driver’s license shall be defined as a current state of residence-issued license to operate a motor vehicle on public roadways. Position also requires the ability to be covered under the City’s vehicle insurance policy prior to the operation of any City vehicles or non-City vehicles for City business.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to independently perform the most complex, skilled and responsible aspects of water production and treatment work, including complex troubleshooting and problem solving to maintain and restore safe water supply.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to navigate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA).
• Demonstrated knowledge of industry methods, materials, and tools, including standard lab practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and technical skill to oversee preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on electromechanical pumps, motors, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and instrumentation.
• Ability to update and maintain current Standard Operating Procedures, Emergency Response and Contingency Plans.
• Ability to utilize and track data related to asset management in the technological system currently in place for Water Resources.
• Ability to comprehend and carry out written, oral, and diagrammatic instructions required.
• Ability to understand relevant physical, chemical, electrical, and microbiological principles required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Planning and organizational skills including the ability to plan and execute a schedule for short and long term projects.
• Ability to develop and maintain accurate maintenance records systems.
• Ability to delegate, direct, supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate staff and the ability to train staff in water treatment, production and storage operations.
• Ability to read, interpret, and follow technical manuals, blueprints, and diagrammatic drawings.
• Ability to learn City budgeting requirements and to prepare budget estimates for area of assignment.
• Ability to formulate and follow written procedures and ensure conformance to City and department policies and procedures, state and federal regulations and contractual agreements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, City officials and citizens.
• Ability to communicate clearly both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in confined spaces.
• Ability to create and maintain an environment that embraces the 6 operating principles; Customer Service, Fiscal Responsibility, Good Labor Relations, Employee Empowerment, Cooperation and Constant Improvement.
• Ability to perform data collection processes and develop and generate the proper reports.
• Experience with computers in a Windows based environment required, including Outlook, Word and Excel programs and computerized maintenance management systems. 
• Ability to work outdoors and in all weather conditions.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to occasionally work beyond normal hours, at night or weekends and to travel to various seminars and conferences for the benefit of the Department.
• Ability to understand, comply and enforce with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.

Additional Information

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.

Employer: City of Burlington, Vermont

Address: 200 Church Street, Suite 102 Burlington, Vermont, 05401

Phone: 802-540-2505

Website: https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/HR/career-and-internship-openings