Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

Responsible for planning, directing, and supervising the operation and maintenance of a wastewater pretreatment facility treating landfill leachate sources. Ensures regulatory compliance, process efficiency, and safety standards while managing staff and budget. The pretreatment facility has a design treatment capacity of 0.40 MGD, an average daily influent flow of 0.02 MGD, and operates under a Wastewater Discharge Permit issued by the Greater Peoria Sanitary and Sewage Disposal District. The primary treatment processes include chemical oxidation, metals precipitation, and dissolved air floatation.

 

Pay: $100k-120k annually, plus 20% bonus eligibility

Benefits:

• 15 days of paid time off

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plan options

• Health Savings Account with employer match option

• Paid Parental Leave

• 401(k) with an employer match up to 4%

• Supplemental health plans through Aflac

• Employer paid basic life insurance

• Employee paid short-term disability option

• Employer-paid long-term disability

• Mental health support through Employee Assistance Program

• 7 paid holidays annually

Key Responsibilities:

Operation & Maintenance:

Oversee daily operation of the following treatment equipment and processes.

• Influent Receiving, Storage, Blending

• Chemical Oxidation

• Chemical Precipitation

• Dissolved Air Floatation

• Sludge Dewatering

• Process Chemical Feed Equipment

• Monitor and analyze process data, adjust controls, and identify inefficiencies or deviations from performance targets. Interpret sampling data, identify trends, troubleshoot performance issues, and implement corrective actions

• Coordinate preventive and corrective maintenance schedules, ensuring prompt repairs of mechanical and monitoring systems.

• Knowledge of the maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment.

• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary for the safe operation of a water treatment plant.

• Knowledge of chemical application in the water treatment process.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting:

• Ensure adherence to federal, state, and local regulations, particularly the Wastewater Discharge Permit and IEPA water quality standards and reporting requirements.

• Strong understanding of environmental and safety regulations; ability to manage permits, sampling, and reporting accordingly. Perform necessary monitoring in accordance with facility operating Wastewater Discharge Permit.

• Prepare and submit required operational reports and Wastewater Discharge Permit monitoring reports.

Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead and develop operations, maintenance, and lab teams. Supervise hiring, training, scheduling, evaluations, and improvement plans.

• Foster a safety-first culture, ensuring OSHA compliance and promoting GFL safe work practices.

Budgeting & Administration:

• Develop and manage facility operating budgets. Routine operational and budget performance reporting to site General Manager.

• Administer contracts and service agreements; manage procurement of chemical and equipment supplies.

• Maintain computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and asset management systems.

Technical Oversight:

• Conduct process assessments and recommend optimizations or upgrades.

• Planning, directing, and supervising the work of personnel.

• Interface with internal engineering staff on capital improvements and process expansion.

Site Management:

• Ensure plant grounds, buildings, and equipment are well maintained; manage odor control and environmental hygiene.

• Oversee repair and rehabilitation projects and inspect projects for compliance.

Stakeholder Communication:

• Present operational updates to senior management, regulatory bodies, and the public.

• Serve as primary contact for internal audits, inspections, and regulatory reviews.

Success Criteria / Key Metrics:

• Meeting or exceeding the discharge standards for the wastewater treatment process.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of treatment processes employed.

• Familiarity with SCADA systems, laboratory analytics, and industrial effluent testing protocols.

• Strong command of regulatory frameworks and discharge permit compliance.

• Knowledge of plant safety protocols, chemical handling, and maintenance of a safe work environment.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams, including operations, maintenance, and laboratory staff.

• Excellent decision-making, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Solid financial acuity for budgeting, procurement, and contract management.

• Exceptional communication skills to interact with stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and public entities.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental, Chemical, or Civil Engineering, or related field (or equivalent technical experience).

• Extensive hands-on experience managing industrial or municipal wastewater treatment operations (5–10+ years), with supervisory roles.

Certifications:

• Possession of ability to readily obtain a valid Illinois Class K treatment operator certification for Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Pretreatment.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with completion of baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the occupational field.

Interfaces & Stakeholders:

• IEPA, Greater Peoria Sanitary District (GPSD) to maintenance compliance standards

• Vendors ordering chemicals and supplies

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, sit, walk, use hands and fingers, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, climb, balance, and smell.

• Visual Requirements: include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

•  Ability to regularly lift/move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds.

Working Conditions & Travel:

• Work in an outdoor environment 70% - 90% of the time.

• Occasionally exposed to loud noise, humidity, hot and cold weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, vibration, toxic and caustic chemicals, fumes and airborne particles.

• Occasionally work in high precarious places.

• Noise level is usually moderate.

• No Travel Required

 

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

GFL is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact myworkdayrecruitment@gflenv.com

Please note that GFL does not provide visa sponsorship for this position. Valid work authorization in the country where the job is located is required. Successful candidates will be required to provide valid documentation confirming their eligibility to work in the country where the job is located prior to their start date.

 

This hiring process may utilize machine-based systems to assist in screening and assessing applicants. Final selection decisions are made by our recruitment team.