Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Supervisor is responsible for directing daily operations, maintenance, compliance, and safety activities at a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant. This role ensures reliable treatment process performance to meet NPDES and state permit limits, leads and develops plant operations staff, manages preventive maintenance and capital projects, oversees laboratory sampling and reporting, and drives continuous improvement in operations, energy efficiency, and environmental performance. The ideal candidate combines certified operator expertise, hands-on mechanical and instrumentation knowledge, strong supervisory skills, and demonstrated regulatory reporting experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wastewater Operator (Class II / Class III)
Maintenance Technician/Mechanic in utilities
Wastewater Laboratory Technician / Environmental Technician

Advancement To:

Chief Plant Operator / Lead Wastewater Operator
Wastewater Operations Manager / Plant Manager
Director of Utilities or Environmental Compliance Manager

Lateral Moves:

Water Treatment Supervisor
Stormwater/Stormwater Compliance Supervisor
Asset Management or Capital Projects Coordinator (Utilities)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Supervise and lead daily wastewater treatment plant operations, including aeration/blower systems, activated sludge processes, biological nutrient removal, secondary clarification, coagulation/flocculation, filtration, and disinfection to ensure consistent permit compliance and stable plant performance.
Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (NPDES, EPA, state environmental agencies), prepare, review, and submit Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs), permit reports, incident notifications, and maintain permit-required logs and records with accuracy and timeliness.
Direct, train, mentor, schedule, and evaluate a multi-shift operations and maintenance team; develop staffing schedules, assign work, approve timecards, conduct performance reviews, and implement corrective actions and professional development plans.
Oversee laboratory sampling programs and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures, verify chain-of-custody, coordinate sample analysis (in-house and external), interpret lab results, and act on excursions or trends to protect permit compliance.
Operate and optimize SCADA/HMI systems and PLC controls; monitor alarms and trending, adjust setpoints and chemical feed rates, implement system updates, and coordinate with instrumentation technicians or vendors for troubleshooting and upgrades.
Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive preventive maintenance program for pumps, motors, valves, blowers, chemical feed systems, centrifuges, dewatering equipment, and other plant assets; prioritize corrective maintenance and ensure minimal unplanned downtime.
Lead emergency response and contingency planning for bypasses, overflows, power outages, process upsets, and public health incidents; coordinate with regulatory agencies, public works, contractors, and emergency services during incidents.
Manage biosolids handling, dewatering, stabilization and disposal/beneficial use programs, including permits, hauling contracts, composting, land application or landfill disposal compliance, and record-keeping.
Administer chemical procurement, storage and inventory control for polymer, coagulants, chlorine/alternative disinfectants, pH adjustment chemicals, and safety supplies; optimize chemical dosing to balance cost and permit compliance.
Prepare and manage annual operations and maintenance budgets; track operating costs, fuel and chemical consumption, capital expenditures, labor costs, and recommend cost-saving or energy-efficiency projects.
Coordinate capital improvement projects and plant upgrades by providing operational requirements, reviewing designs, participating in bid evaluation, and overseeing contractor work to ensure compliance with specifications and startup performance guarantees.
Perform troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation failures—diagnose pump cavitation, motor issues, blower performance, torn belts, valve failures, and implement repairs or schedule vendors as needed.
Conduct routine plant inspections and safety audits, promote permit and process safety, ensure PPE use, confined space entry procedures, lockout/tagout, hot work permitting, and maintain OSHA, HAZWOPER and confined space training compliance.
Implement process control strategies (MLSS, F/M ratio, SRT, DO control, sludge wasting) and continuous improvement initiatives; analyze process data, identify opportunities to improve effluent quality, reduce energy consumption and chemical use, and document results.
Maintain accurate daily logs, shift reports, maintenance records, equipment histories, and sampling records; use CMMS/EAM systems to schedule work orders and capture asset data for lifecycle management.
Serve as primary liaison with regulatory inspectors, consultants, contractors, and neighboring utilities — coordinate inspections, audits, compliance negotiations, and public communications related to plant operations.
Oversee contractor work and third-party service providers, ensuring scope adherence, safety compliance, and proper commissioning of equipment; manage change orders and contractor invoicing in coordination with procurement.
Lead odor control and community relations efforts: investigate odor complaints, implement mitigation actions, document investigations, and communicate with municipal staff and the public.
Ensure operator certification compliance across the team: maintain records of Class certifications (e.g., State Grade II/III/IV), arrange cross-training, continuing education, and maintain training matrices for regulatory inspections.
Monitor influent and effluent flow measurement systems and sewerage system performance; coordinate with collection system crews to investigate inflow & infiltration (I&I), bypasses, and CSO/SSO events.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans, and process control manuals; ensure staff adherence and update documentation following process changes or regulatory updates.
Analyze energy usage and recommend or implement energy optimization projects such as blower control upgrades, efficient motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and process changes to reduce plant energy intensity.
Participate in grant applications, rate studies, and capital planning by providing operational data, condition assessments, and cost estimates to support funding and budget prioritization.

Secondary Functions

Participate in municipal or utility-level planning committees, sustainability initiatives, and inter-departmental coordination for coordinated infrastructure investment and resilience planning.
Support asset management activities by providing condition assessments, lifecycle cost inputs, and replacement prioritization for plant assets.
Assist in procurement and vendor selection: develop technical specifications, evaluate proposals, and negotiate service agreements for specialized services and equipment.
Contribute to public outreach and education programs, plant tours and training sessions that explain treatment processes, environmental benefits, and safety practices to stakeholders and community groups.
Maintain an inventory of technical drawings, as-built records, and O&M manuals; ensure document control and accessibility for operations and contractors.
Help prepare emergency mutual aid agreements and maintain relationships with neighboring utilities for shared resources and surge support during emergencies.
Evaluate and pilot new technologies or process modifications (e.g., membrane bioreactors, enhanced nutrient removal, anaerobic digestion) and develop business cases for implementation.
Provide after-hours on-call support rotation as needed for critical plant alarms, urgent repairs, and regulatory reporting of incidents.
Assist finance or grant teams with detailed operations data and technical narratives to support funding proposals and compliance documentation.
Coordinate seasonal operational adjustments (e.g., cold weather protocols, storm season readiness) and ensure readiness for extreme weather or high-flow conditions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

State-issued Wastewater Operator Certification (Class III or IV preferred) and demonstrated knowledge of activated sludge, BNR, nitrification/denitrification, and solids handling.
Deep understanding of NPDES permit requirements, DMR reporting, laboratory QA/QC, and environmental compliance procedures.
SCADA/HMI and PLC operation and troubleshooting experience (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Wonderware, Schneider).
Hands-on mechanical aptitude with pumps, motors, gearboxes, bearings, seals, blowers, and centrifuge/press dewatering equipment.
Experience with process control variables (MLSS, SRT, F/M ratio, DO control), chemical feed systems, and process optimization.
Familiarity with CMMS/EAM systems (e.g., CityWorks, Maximo, Infor) for work order management, preventive maintenance scheduling, and asset tracking.
Instrumentation and electrical troubleshooting skills, including flow meters, level controls, pH/ORP probes, dissolved oxygen sensors, and VFDs.
Proficiency with laboratory sampling, chain-of-custody, basic wet chemistry analyses (BOD, TSS, pH, chlorine residual, ammonia), and interpretation of results.
Experience managing biosolids programs, dewatering systems, and disposal or beneficial reuse logistics and contracts.
Budgeting and cost control skills with experience preparing O&M budgets, tracking expenditures, and supporting capital project scoping.
Strong computer skills: MS Office (Excel for data analysis and trend charting), GIS familiarity, and basic report generation for regulatory and management purposes.
Knowledge of OSHA safety standards, confined space entry, HAZWOPER, lockout/tagout, and safety program administration.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management skills with experience coaching, mentoring, and delivering performance feedback.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for regulatory reporting, public interactions, interdepartmental coordination, and contractor management.
Analytical and problem-solving mindset: ability to analyze process data, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
Prioritization and time management skills to balance operations, maintenance, emergency response, and administrative duties.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills for managing contractor disputes, union interactions, and cross-functional coordination.
Attention to detail and organizational skills for regulatory compliance, documentation accuracy, and maintenance record-keeping.
Team-oriented collaborator with an ability to build relationships across departments, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.
Adaptability and resilience to lead through process upsets, seasonal variations, and regulatory changes.
Training and instructional skills for developing SOPs, safety training, and on-the-job skills transfer to junior staff.
Strategic mindset to identify efficiency opportunities, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and plan for long-term infrastructure needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational training or technical school coursework in wastewater treatment, environmental technology, or industrial maintenance preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering Technology, Water/Wastewater Technology, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Science / Environmental Technology
Civil or Environmental Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechanical Technology
Chemistry / Laboratory Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10+ years of progressive experience in wastewater operations and maintenance, including at least 2–3 years in a lead or supervisory role.

Preferred:

Experience supervising multi-shift teams in municipal or industrial wastewater treatment facilities.
Demonstrated track record of regulatory compliance (NPDES), SCADA/PLC operations, preventive maintenance program implementation, and capital project support.
Valid driver’s license and ability to be on-call after hours; certifications in confined space, HAZWOPER, and first aid/CPR are desirable.