Water Filter Plant Manager
Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
The Cornell University campus is widely admired as one of the world's most beautiful academic settings. The Division of Facilities and Campus Services is committed to providing the highest quality service to faculty, students, staff, alumni and visitors.
With more than 260 major buildings enhancing the magnificent landscape of the Ithaca campus, approximately 1,000 highly talented and dedicated staff serve as steward of the campus resources and operations.
All employees are accountable for supporting the organization's values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity; and supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities.
The Utilities Production section of the Energy and Sustainability department operates the University's combined cycle gas turbine plant on a 24-hour, 365 day per year basis. Production facilities include a combined heat and power facility which provides both the steam for heat and electricity for campus, and two chilled water production facilities. All of the water for campus is provided by a university owned potable water filtration plant. Electricity from the local utility is fed through a university owned electric substation. Utilities is also responsible for all of the distribution and collection systems located on campus including steam, chilled water, electricity, potable water and waste water.
Position Summary
Act as the system thought leader managing all aspects of the potable water production and distribution systems and the waste water collection systems. This position is responsible for guiding all activities related to these systems to assure the safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible operations. Responsibility includes being aware of the system operating condition, university short- and long-term expansion plans, driving design requirements for the system, modeling the system, understanding how the overall systems works and how it will react to failures, and defining and guiding maintenance programs. In this role the position will:
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Manage all aspects of Cornell water filtration facility, a surface water-fed 3.6 MGD potable water production facility which serves approximately 35,000 student, faculty and staff on a 24/7 basis. Responsibilities include management of all aspects of plant equipment operations and maintenance.
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Supervise a staff of 4 IUOE union operators and ensure all shifts are covered.
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Review and approve timecards. Approve vacation. Resolve pay and union issues.
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Responsible for assuring compliance with all applicable regulations including those required by the NYSDOH, the NYSDEC, USEPA and all other applicable regulatory agencies. Responsible for plant safety. Create the annual budget (approximately $3M) and rates for the plant and distribution systems. Provide regular and periodic forecasts, analyses, and interpretation of use and budget/expense trends, as required. Analyze data to detect and correct anomalies.
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Manage/oversee the operation and maintenance of the water distribution, wastewater collection system and the storm sewer system, working with technical specialists, technicians, other departments and municipalities to ensure efficient and safe operation. Create the annual budget and rates for the systems. Provide regular and periodic forecasts, analyses, and interpretation of use and budget/expense trends, as required. Analyze data to detect and correct anomalies.
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Manage capital improvement projects related to the potable water system, wastewater collection system, and storm sewer system, working with consulting engineers, contractors and vendors to ensure continued reliability of the system into the future. Prepare documentation for project approvals. Work with the Contracts department to implement project contracts, bidding documentation, construction management and payments to necessary parties.
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Maintain operator training manuals and operator qualification program. Create and maintain accurate training drawings for plant systems.
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Lead regular staff meetings, conduct training, organize and evaluate tabletop exercises and drills.
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Develop staff succession plans, write job descriptions, post positions, interview candidates, and hire into vacant positions.
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Work closely with IUOE stewards to ensure that union contract is supported and enforced.
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Review, monitor and improve operating procedures, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), daily logs, and equipment reduced status and out-of-service logs.
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Manage chemical inventory and deliveries.
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Troubleshoot operational problems as they occur.
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Assist the Director of Utilities Production in activities such as long-range planning, budget preparation, financial analysis, and environmental compliance monitoring and reporting.
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Maintain a clean work environment safe for operations.
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Support the overall mission of the University by working with the Engineering school on water related projects (ie. AguaClara-Honduras) and with remote University facilities as needed.
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Provide support for emergency activities as required. This will include working non-standard hours in support of plant needs on a 24/7 basis.
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Attends safety, environmental and technical training. Participates in cross-departmental activities and staff meetings. Perform other duties as assigned.
Ours is a values-based organization where all employees are accountable for supporting the organization's values of truth, respect, excellence, teamwork, and integrity. FCS employees are required to attend staff development trainings and participate in the performance evaluation process.
Required Qualifications:
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This position requires a strong technical background in biology, chemistry and engineering. A bachelor of science in environmental/biological sciences, or civil, mechanical or chemical engineering or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
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5 -7 years extensive job-related experience in the production, operation and maintenance of potable water production systems, or directly-related field with an emphasis in surface water fed systems.
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A DOH Water Filtration Plant class 1A certification or equivalent plus certification in appropriate laboratory procedures is required within 18 months of employment start date.
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Experience in successfully leading teams in a production environment. This position is expected to mentor employees and encourage teamwork in a cost effective, collaborative manner.
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The employee in this position must demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, a collaborative management style and posses excellent decision making ability.
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Maintenance and operation experience with equipment such as gravity filters, pumps, valves, chemical feed systems and electronic controls including programmable logic controller based SCADA systems. Experience with various methods of water disinfection and related issues associated with each. Extensive knowledge of related regulatory requirements of both the DOH and EPA for potable water production and wastewater collections.
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Experience with Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Experience with, or ability to learn, Excel Reporter and Vantage Point database software, and other job related software.
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Able to work under pressure managing multiple priorities.
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Must have and maintain a valid driver's license; may be required to operate a motor vehicle (your own vehicle or Cornell-owned) to travel to/from job sites.
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Must successfully complete a background check.
Preferred Qualifications:
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A NYSDOH Public Water System Operator Certification - Grade 1A or equivalent from other state's regulatory certification boards.
As part of the university's comprehensive vaccination program, all Cornell employees are required to have and provide proof of an FDA-or WHO-authorized or approved COVID-19 primary vaccination or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption, regardless of their role and work location.
Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
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Prior relevant work or industry experience.
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Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position.
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Unique applicable skills.
EEO Statement:
Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations. Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose, and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.