Lead Operator

Salary : $79,258.19 - $131,542.11 Annually
Location : Herndon, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 02272025
Division: Production
Opening Date: 02/27/2025
Closing Date: 3/6/2025 4:30 PM Eastern

Description
Under limited supervision of the Supervisor, Plant Production performs highly skilled work as a shift supervisor in the operation and maintenance of water treatment equipment and facilities on a rotating shift basis.

Examples of Duties

Plans, performs and supervises skilled operational, mechanical and routine maintenance tasks involved in the operation of a water treatment plant, equipment and facilities by :

• Planning and supervising shift activities based on information provided by previous shift operators, current and anticipated conditions and special instructions provided by higher management.
• Determines priority of activities for subordinates. Issues both general and specific instructions for shift activities.
• Maintaining and supervising the maintenance of intricate records and reports under federal, state and Fairfax Water mandated guidelines in the form of paper logs and computer data entries.
• Ensuring that all prescribed Federal and State standards for water quality are being met.
• Supervising, overseeing and monitoring water treatment through all phases of treatment which includes raw water, raw water mixing, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and filtered water treatment.
• Training subordinates in the latest operational techniques.
• Training subordinates in the proper handling of hazardous chemicals, chemical feeders and associated calibration of those feeders.
• Supervising and/or coordinating work related activities with other departments - i.e. electrical, mechanical, distribution, maintenance and contractors as needed.
• Collecting water samples at prescribed stages and time intervals in the treatment process and conducting or supervising various laboratory analysis which include but not limited to pH, turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, color, taste, odors, chlorine residual, jar tests, ammonia residual, etc., to determine the type and appropriate amount of chemicals to be fed into the system.
• Operating and/or supervising the operation of mechanical equipment to safely transfer chemicals from delivery trucks to appropriate storage and from storage to feeder hoppers.
• Regulating and supervising the proper feed rate of water treatment chemicals through mechanical feeders, proportion devices or computer controlled feed equipment and issues instructions to subordinates regarding these changes.
• Assisting the Supervisor, Plant Production with plant operator performance reviews, job interviews and disciplinary actions concerning personnel on their shift.
• Maintaining an effective working relationship with subordinates, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Assuring coverage of open shifts due to vacations and sick leave use, and consulting Supervisor, Plant Production as needed. Assisting the shift personnel in properly completing time sheets as needed and assuring equitable assignment of overtime to cover open shifts due to annual or sick leave.
• Reading, interpreting and recording information observed and obtained from lab tests, meters, gauges and other instruments during shift operations.
• Entering and retrieving data into/from personal computers, process control computers and SCADA computers.
• Maintaining and monitoring inventory levels of chemicals and other related materials and reporting status to appropriate personnel. Ordering chemicals and supplies as required.
• Overseeing building and vehicle maintenance, assuring cleanliness of work areas.
• Maintaining building and grounds security.
• Maintaining and supervising the maintenance of records and reports pertinent to assigned tasks and submitting appropriate management reports including unusual activities requiring the attention of operation supervisors or maintenance personnel.
• Operating a pilot plant as required.
• Responding to chemical emergencies, utilizing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Making routine repairs and adjustments to plant equipment and writing repair orders for non-routine repairs.

Performs other duties as assigned or required.
Typical Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and a minimum of six years progressively responsible related experience in the operations of water treatment plant equipment, one year of which must have been in plant operations at the Senior Plant Operator level, or any equivalent combination of education, experience and knowledge.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices used in modern water filtration and treatment processes.
• Thorough knowledge of the federal and state water quality standards.
• Good knowledge of computer basics.
• Highly skilled in the analysis and evaluation of water treatment plant operations with a view toward a quality product with safe, efficient and economical operations.
• Ability to plan, train and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to inspect machinery and mechanical equipment and to detect flaws and defects in operation of equipment and treatment processes.
• Ability to prepare and maintain technical reports and records.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Knowledge and ability to effectively perform the aforementioned typical tasks in the absence of direct guidance or assistance from supervisors.
• Ability to react quickly and appropriately to rapidly changing plant conditions.
• Must pass a controlled substance (drug) test for employment. This position is also subject to random testing after hire.

Supplemental Information

• Ability to lift chemical bags (weight up to 50 lbs. average).
• Ability to operate loading equipment such as a fork lift.
• Ability to distinguish colors and odors associated with laboratory testing and analysis.
• Ability to properly use a self-contained breathing apparatus in the presence of harmful gases and to climb ladders.

Fairfax Water is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to our employees and their eligible dependents, as well as opportunity for continued education and professional development. A summary of these benefits is listed below.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Fairfax Water is dedicated to providing equal employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation or transgendered status, or ethnic, national origin, or on the basis of any other category protected under federal, state and local laws.
Holidays

January - New Year's Day; Inauguration Day; Martin Luther King Day

February - George Washington Day

May - Memorial Day
June- Juneteenth

July - Independence Day

September - Labor Day

October - Columbus Day

November - Veterans' Day; Thanksgiving Day; Day After Thanksgiving

December - Christmas Eve Day; Christmas Day
Health Insurance - Employee Cost/Month

Employee Only - $100.88

Employee + 1 - $335.74

Family - $ 466.74
The Fairfax Water Health Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees and their eligible dependents. The medical, dental and vision plans are administered by UMR, United Healthcare..
Coverage is effective 1st day of month after hire if hired between the 1st and 15th of the month. If hired between the 16th and 31st of the month, coverage is effective the 1st day of the 2nd month after hire.
Group Life Insurance - Employee Cost Month

Basic = 2 times annual salary

Paid by Fairfax Water

Supplemental 1 to 5 times annual salary

Age-banded rates

Dependent spouse and/or child - $3.00

The Group Life Insurance Plan is offered to all permanent full time employees. Effective date follows same rule as health insurance.

Long-Term Disability

Effective after 36 months of employment with Fairfax Water. Benefit is equivalent to 66.7% of base pay at no cost to the employee.
Fairfax Water Retirement Plan - Is a defined benefit plan in which all regular full time employees are enrolled in at time of hire at no cost to employees. Employees are vested after five years of service.
ICMA 457 Plan - Is a deferred compensation plan which employees can voluntarily participate in with a maximum contribution as established by the IRS on a yearly basis.
Additional Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts: Fairfax Water offers a Medical Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $2,750.00 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible expenses. Fairfax Water offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account where employees may contribute up to $5,000.00 per year on a pre-tax basis for eligible child-care expenses.

Child/Adult Care Reimbursement: Employees with household incomes under $60,000 my be eligible for an annual subsidy for licensed child/adult care ringing from $800.00 to $4,000.00 depending on eligibility.

Professional Development: Reimbursement of approved attendance at professional conferences and seminars

Direct Deposit of pay. Pay days are bi-weekly on Thursday.

This review is intended to be a brief summary of the major benefits provided by Fairfax Water. In all instances, plan documents and policies govern the eligibility and administration of each benefit plan.