Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager (Engineering Manager I) - Public Works, Bureau of Utilities LPWRP

Howard County Government
Savage, MD

SALARY: $48.66 - $93.71 Hourly | $101,219.00 - $194,925.00 Annually

JOB TYPE: Full Time | JOB NUMBER: 25-00205

DEPARTMENT: Public Works | OPENING DATE: 09/19/2024 | CLOSING DATE: Continuous



Howard County: Conveniently located in central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers a spectrum of  historic and cosmopolitan communities, an outstanding public school system, nationally ranked libraries, recreation programs, and parks. 

Howard County Government: Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.

 What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals who wish to join us in our mission to be a national model of public works excellence.

 What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:


  • We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
  • We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
  • We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
  • As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

POSITION SUMMARY: This is a highly responsible administrative and managerial position in planning, directing and coordinating the operations of the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant (LPWRP). LPWRP operations fall under the responsibility of the Bureau of Utilities, within the Department of Public Works (DPW). The functional title of this position is Plant Manager. Work includes directing and coordinating wastewater treatment operations at the LPWRP, which includes the daily operation of LPWRP, providing mentorship and guidance to wastewater treatment operators, troubleshooting when treatment upsets occur, regulatory reporting of compliance with NPDES permit, oversight of a state certified wastewater laboratory, oversight of Fats, Oil and Grease (FOG) program including FOG inspections, oversight of State mandated water quality sampling and testing, and oversight of commercial pre- treatment program.

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Performs mid-management level and advanced engineering and/or architectural work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior.

Work involves managing the administrative, technical and budgetary affairs of a division or overseeing the activities of the Bureau of Facilities. Work includes preparing and maintaining an operating budget; projecting manpower needs, materials, and equipment; plans review, and resolving the most difficult engineering and/or architectural design problems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Include the following.  Other related duties may be assigned.


  • Enforces standard personnel and equipment work safety policies, practices, and procedures.
  • Responsible for interpreting and enforcing County and LPWRP health and safety policies, and operating procedures.
  • Responsible for overseeing the operations of the Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant ensuring the Plant meets its NPDES permit.
  • Act on behalf of the Bureau Chief of Utilities in every facet of job including wastewater treatment operations, emergency response, budgeting and accounting of expenditures and resolution of problems.
  • Responsible for overseeing the LPWRP operations in coordination with the Facilities Maintenance personnel in the electrical, mechanical and instrumentation trades. 
  • Responsible for coordinating with wastewater collection system maintenance personnel responsible for the County's wastewater collection system.
  • Responsible for overseeing the Bureau's laboratory to ensure compliance with State and Federal laboratory guidelines and practices as required to maintain State accreditation.
  • Responsible for overseeing the County's Commercial Pretreatment Program.
  • Develops, implements, and maintains standard operating procedures.
  • Submits various records and mandated reports timely to State and Federal Regulatory agencies.
  • Evaluates and monitors employee performance. 
  • Monitors LPWRP treatment processes and control procedures for compliance with health and safety regulations and applicable operating permits. 
  • Develops budget requirements and monitors budgetary performance.
  • Manages subordinate supervisors who supervise the water reclamation plant operators and coordinates with electrical and mechanical staff in the Maintenance Division. 
  • Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of treatment plant operations staff.
  • Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with County policies and applicable state and federal laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
  • This position is considered emergency essential and, as such, the incumbent may be required to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, or when an emergency situation arises.
  • Monitor Bureau operations to include financial reporting, revenue, vacancy status, workman's compensation injuries, and accident/loss incidents.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with County policies and applicable state and federal laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's Degree and 6 Years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:


  • Bachelor Degree and relevant experience in a managerial capacity supervising an Enhanced Nutrient Reduction (ENR) wastewater treatment plant operations and 10 years of related experience in wastewater treatment plant operations.
  • Maryland Class C Drivers License or equivalent issued by state of residence. 
  • Class 5/5A Operator's License Issued by State of Maryland or equivalent issued by another state. 
  • Wastewater Superintendent License issued by State of Maryland or ability to obtain within 1 year.
  • Position requires skill in interpretation and analyzing treatment process designs, plans and specifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. 
  • The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. 
  • The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. 
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE, SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:


  • Excellent communication and presentation skills; supervisory experience; budgeting and finance background; and the possession of related computer skills.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. 
  • Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. 
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 
  • Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS: State of Maryland Registered Professional Engineer. 

TO APPLY:  You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted. 

Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.       

At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).

Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.