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Operations Branch Chief (Assistant Division Director DPWES)

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Operations Branch Chief (Assistant Division Director DPWES)

Salary

$103,673.02 - $181,427.79 Annually

Location

LORTON (JP04), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

25-00977

Department

DPWES Wastewater Management

Opening Date

05/10/2025

Closing Date

6/6/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

M02

Posting Type

Open to General Public

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Job Announcement

Do you enjoy solving environmental challenges to optimize the recycling of 40 million gallons of wastewater each day? Join Fairfax County's award-winning Wastewater Management Team that is responsible for protecting both the public’s health and the region’s water quality.

Under the general direction of the Director of the Wastewater Treatment Division, ensures the safe 24-7 functioning of critical public safety infrastructure to protect residents and businesses from untreated sewage discharges. Serves as an assistant division director of the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) which is responsible for the safe, efficient, and regulatory compliant operation of the county’s wastewater treatment plant.

This position oversees the county's complex wastewater treatment operations, critical to public health and safety. Therefore the incumbent:

+ Has deep knowledge of advanced chemical and biological treatment processes needed for the treatment of 40 million gallons of wastewater daily and the supplying of more than 1 million gallons daily of recycled water to customers.

+ Acts as one of the emergency response coordinators during emergency crisis. Responds on a 24-hour basis for the agency's emergencies, and acts as the division's liaison with other county agencies.

+ Leads skilled trades crews in 24-7 complex daily operations as well as emergency response to weather, equipment breakdown, and power-outage emergencies.

+ Manages the branch staff of over 50 employees including licensed plant operators. Develops and maintains an employee development program to ensure operators are adequately trained and obtain the required licenses.

+ Is responsible for regulatory compliance reporting, training of staff, and effective customer service to the county rate payers.

+ Serves as the state designated Operator-in -Responsible Charge for the county’s Noman Cole Water Recycling Plant.

+ Prepares and manages a $20 million annual budget to include chemicals, energy, and personnel

+ Evaluates overall operational effectiveness, recommends improvement and enhancement to safety programs

+ Maintains cooperative and proactive alliances with vendors, citizens, environmental groups, county, state, and federal agencies

+ As an assistant division director, serves as acting director in the absence of the division director on technical and administrative matters. Represents the division director at meetings with county staff, contractors, and resident groups.

+ Establishes policies, procedures and priorities for the operating programs of the division.

+ Represents the division director at meetings with county staff, contractors and resident groups.

The successful candidate will have proven success:

+ Operating large water or advanced wastewater treatment utilities.

+ Using historical water or wastewater treatment data to measure plant performance, improve operational efficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits.

+ Leading and communicating with front-line office and skilled trades staff.

+ Working independently and in a team environment with shared responsibilities, including working with other departments collaboratively.

Wastewater Management is part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES), please visit us here (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/publicworks/) to learn more about us.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Benefits:

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

+ Benefits (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/fairfax-county-benefits-summary)

+ Retirement

NOTE: Wastewater Management positions are responsible for providing uninterrupted sewer service to residents during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies. This position is designated as emergency service and is subject to 24-hour on-call and may be required to report to work during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies, including after-hours and weekend work during emergency incidents to fulfill emergency service duties.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hr/equivalencies-education-and-experience)

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from a four-year college or university in an engineering, science, or related field; plus, six years of progressively responsible experience in public works or utility operations, including two years of supervisory experience managing skilled trade professionals, contractors, or technical experts.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

+ A valid driver's license.

+ A Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator certification (VA).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, driving record check, and pre-employment medical evaluation to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

+ 5+ years of experience with wastewater utilities, water or sewerage facilities, or entities subject to environmental regulation, 24/7 operations, and emergency response.

+ Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Environmental Sciences or related field.

+ 5+ years of experience and expertise in the wastewater treatment processes and operations found at the Noman M. Cole Water Recycling Facility or similar, including nutrient removal, wastewater reclamation and solids stabilization.

+ Senior-Level supervisory and managerial experience in an operational agency.

+ 5+ years of demonstrated experience to determine appropriate technologies to facilitate conducting analytical and evaluative work.

+ 5+ years of experience of supervising professional and paraprofessional employees including delegating and reviewing work assignments, providing coaching and guidance, monitoring and evaluating performance, and supporting training and development planning.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to hear and properly respond to typical construction alarms and verbal warnings on active construction sites. Ability to operate county vehicles to various locations throughout Fairfax County to attend meetings, provide coverage, and to review inspection of contractors. Ability to physically navigate rough, uneven terrain and typical construction sites to perform field inspections at project construction sites or potential sites for future facilities. Job requires walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, carrying/lifting up to 50 lbs. Routine climbing of stairs and ladders required. Must be able to verbally communicate with others, visual acuity is required to work on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Must be physically fit to work in all types of environments. This requires the ability to work around and in contact to loud noises. There may be rare exposure to airborne substances. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview) ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

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