Director of Operations in Villa Hills, Kentucky at Sanitation District 1 Of Northern Kentucky

Director of Wastewater Treatment

Department: Dry Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, Department 1

Reports To: Senior Director of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: Grade 28

Prepared Date: 10/23/2026

Position Summary

Provides strategic leadership and direction for the operation, maintenance, and performance of the District’s wastewater treatment plants, small package treatment plants, laboratory, and pretreatment compliance divisions. Ensures all facilities and programs operate safely, reliably, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, permit requirements, and environmental standards.

Establishes division-wide goals, performance measures, operating policies, and strategic priorities to achieve organizational objectives and maintain high standards of operational performance, regulatory compliance, and service reliability. Oversees the development and administration of the Plant Division operating budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively and operating costs are managed responsibly. Promotes data-driven decision-making, proactive maintenance, continuous improvement, and effective asset management to maximize equipment reliability and long-term value.

Provides leadership, mentorship, and accountability for departmental managers and staff, fostering a culture of safety, professionalism, collaboration, customer service, and continuous workforce development. Ensures the division meets established performance targets, maintains operational readiness, and supports the District’s long-term strategic and infrastructure goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership and Strategic Management

• Establishes division-wide goals, policies, priorities, and performance expectations for the operation and maintenance of the District’s three regional wastewater treatment plants, small package treatment plants, laboratory, and pretreatment compliance divisions.
• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic plans, departmental initiatives, and performance improvement programs to achieve the District’s organizational objectives.
• Provides leadership, direction, and accountability to Plant Managers and other departmental leaders, ensuring responsibilities are clearly defined and assigned objectives are achieved.
• Establishes clear expectations for employee performance, operational accountability, succession planning, and professional development to maintain a skilled, effective, and sustainable workforce.
• Fosters a collaborative, customer-focused work environment that promotes communication, teamwork, employee engagement, and timely resolution of workplace issues.
• Interprets, communicates, and consistently enforces District policies, procedures, and employee expectations.

Operations, Regulatory Compliance, and Performance

• Oversees treatment plant operations to ensure reliable treatment performance, compliance with discharge permits, and adherence to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, environmental requirements, and reporting obligations.
• Directs laboratory and pretreatment compliance programs to ensure accurate monitoring, effective industrial compliance oversight, reliable data, and timely regulatory reporting.
• Ensures operational procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and emergency response plans are established, maintained, periodically reviewed, and consistently implemented.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators (KPIs), operational benchmarks, and management reports to evaluate regulatory compliance, treatment performance, process efficiency, equipment reliability, and operating costs.
• Reports division performance, significant operational issues, regulatory risks, and progress toward established goals to Executive Management and the Board of Directors.
• Identifies operational risks, investigates performance deficiencies, and directs corrective actions to prevent recurring problems, improve treatment reliability, and maintain compliance.
• Ensures Plant Managers effectively execute assigned responsibilities and maintain appropriate oversight of daily operations, maintenance activities, staffing, and plant performance.

Maintenance, Asset Management, and Continuous Improvement

• Directs the development and implementation of maintenance strategies, preventive maintenance programs, and asset management practices that improve equipment reliability, reduce unplanned downtime, and extend asset service life.
• Ensures maintenance activities are prioritized based on equipment condition, operational criticality, risk, and the potential consequences of asset failure.
• Evaluates operational and maintenance work processes to identify opportunities to improve productivity, standardize procedures, optimize staffing, and reduce the total cost of ownership.
• Promotes the use of operational data, maintenance records, inspections, and performance trends to support informed decisions regarding equipment maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, and capital investment.
• Coordinates with Engineering, Asset Management, Maintenance, Information Technology, and other District departments to align operational needs with maintenance programs, capital improvement projects, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Coordinates with the District’s Information Technology department on the management, reliability, security, and continuous improvement of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) infrastructure and related operational technology.

Financial and Resource Management

• Develops, administers, and monitors the Plant Division operating budget to ensure expenditures remain within approved appropriations and resources are used effectively.
• Evaluates operating expenditures, staffing requirements, chemical and energy consumption, contracted services, and other major cost drivers to identify efficiencies while maintaining safety, treatment performance, and regulatory compliance.
• Establishes and monitors financial and operational performance measures to track budget adherence, resource utilization, and progress toward established efficiency goals.
• Assesses current and future staffing, equipment, technology, and infrastructure needs and develops recommendations to support sustainable operations and long-term service reliability.
• Oversees the appropriate use, care, security, and maintenance of District facilities, equipment, tools, and vehicles, ensuring compliance with established operating and safety requirements.

Safety, Workforce Development, and Communication

• Actively champions the District’s safety program by establishing expectations for safe work practices, ensuring compliance with safety policies, and holding managers and employees accountable for safe operations.
• Ensures employees receive appropriate training and maintain required licenses, certifications, and technical competencies to perform their assigned responsibilities.
• Mentors and develops Plant Managers and other supervisory personnel, promoting leadership effectiveness, technical competency, succession planning, and professional growth.
• Addresses employee performance and workplace concerns promptly, facilitates conflict resolution, and ensures District policies and procedures are applied consistently.
• Coordinates with other department directors and supervisors to align work schedules, staffing, resources, and operational priorities across the District.
• Conducts regular division leadership meetings to communicate priorities, reviews performance, addresses operational challenges, coordinates initiatives, and ensures accountability for assigned actions.
• Maintains accurate and timely personnel, timekeeping, production, and operational records in accordance with District requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Environmental Science, Engineering, Applied Sciences, or a related field. A combination of relevant education, training, and progressively responsible experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Experience

• Fifteen (10) years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater treatment plant operations.
• Ten (10) years of successful supervisory or management experience in a wastewater treatment plant environment, including demonstrated responsibility for leading personnel and managing operational performance.
• Demonstrated experience in regulatory compliance, operational and maintenance management, strategic planning, budget administration, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience establishing performance expectations, developing leaders, managing organizational change, and achieving measurable operational results.

Licensure and Certification

• Must obtain a Kentucky Wastewater Treatment Operator License, Class IV, within six (6) months of the start date.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, maintenance practices, with a strong understanding of laboratory functions and pretreatment compliance requirements.
• Thorough understanding of applicable environmental regulations, discharge permits, regulatory reporting requirements, and occupational safety standards.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans, operational policies, performance metrics, and process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to analyze operational, financial, and maintenance data to identify risks, evaluate performance, and make sound management decisions.
• Ability to develop and administer budgets, prioritize needs, allocate resources, and manage operational costs while maintaining regulatory compliance and service reliability.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop managers and supervisors, establish clear expectations, and build a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to communicate complex operational and regulatory matters effectively to employees, Executive Management, the Board of Directors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.