Environmental Science Jobs in Seneca, SC (NOW HIRING)

The Operations Director is a technical supervisor responsible for skilled, technical, administrative, and supervisory duties associated with the planning, operation, maintenance, monitoring, and repair of the OJRSA wastewater system. The role works under limited supervision and guidance of the Executive Director.

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

Department Leadership & Oversight

• Directly supervises the Operations, Laboratory, Maintenance, and Collection System departments.
• Ensures personnel and equipment operate efficiently in meeting operational, maintenance, monitoring, permit compliance, repair, and installation needs for treatment plants, pump stations, and sewer transport systems.
• Serves as the Operator of Record for the Authority.

Operational Management

• Determine work procedures, prepare schedules, issue instructions, and document activities.
• Assign duties and evaluate work for accuracy, neatness, and adherence to policies.
• Study and evaluate department procedures and recommend improvements to the Executive Director.
• Maintain harmony among workers and provide technical training and supervision.
• Oversee safety procedures and ensure compliance with safety requirements.

Regulatory Compliance & Environmental Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and enforce all regulatory requirements applicable to Operations, Laboratory, and Maintenance, including environmental and safety regulations.
• Coordinate and assist with all regulatory permit renewals (environmental, safety, others).
• Maintain required records and documentation supporting compliance.

System Capacity, Maintenance, & Optimization

• Collaborate with designated staff on CMOM (Capacity, Maintenance, Operation, and Management) program implementation to reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I).
• Through department personnel, ensure maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, drive shafts, and other equipment.
• Oversee repairs and replacement of sewer force mains and gravity sewers as necessary.
• Monitor preventive maintenance programs with Operations and Maintenance staff.
• Review production and maintenance reports to plan and adjust operational activities.
• Plan and implement methods and procedures to improve efficiency, minimize costs, and enhance labor/material utilization.

Project & Equipment Coordination

• Determine equipment needs and coordinate with the Executive Director.
• Review job orders to determine priorities and schedule repairs, maintenance, and installations.
• Coordinate fabrication or improvement of equipment, machines, or tools.
• Ensure buildings, grounds, and facilities remain clean, orderly, and organized.
• Prepare reports on work progress, manpower utilization, time records, and material disposition.

Training, Communication, & Public Interaction

• Direct the training of workers to improve performance and ensure understanding of policies and procedures.
• Interact with the public occasionally through phone inquiries, site tours, and public events.
• Confer with management to resolve operational issues and recommend improvements.
• Attend meetings, workshops, and training to enhance job knowledge.

Work Schedule & Emergency Response

• May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather.
• Serve on call 24 hours a day as scheduled; respond to emergencies as necessary.
• Physically report to work sites to perform duties that cannot be done remotely. “Work site” includes any location directed by OJRSA outside the employee’s residence.

Non‑Essential/Other

• Adhere to OJRSA safety rules and programs.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, public health, civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or closely related field.

Certifications and Licenses

• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License.
• Biological Wastewater Operator Level “A” license (SC LLR) — must be maintained in good standing.
• Required workshops and training to maintain current knowledge.
• Additional training/certifications may be required by management.

Experience

Seven (7) years of experience in management, construction, repair, operation, and maintenance of wastewater systems, including operation of related maintenance equipment.
Minimum of five (5) years supervisory experience.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Data Involvement

• Requires copying, transcribing, entering or posting data or information on inspection forms or electronic devices, operating Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) applications, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, Microsoft applications, Adobe Acrobat, and other such programs.

People Involvement

• Requires effectively communicating with people in person, by phone, in writing, or using a computer to convey or exchange information of a technical nature; there will be occasional interaction with the public by fielding phone calls, assisting with site tours, speaking at public events, etc. Requires supervising or leading others by determining work procedures, assigning duties, maintaining harmonious relations and promoting efficiency. Performs performance reviews and disciplinary action as necessary. Position also involves the ability to keep proprietary discussions and information confidential.

Involvement with Things

• Requires using a motor vehicle, pumps, presses, dump truck (non‑CDL), laboratory equipment, safety equipment and devices, setting up and operating a wastewater sampler, and using other specialized equipment that requires extended training and experience; may involve calibration and testing of devices.

Reasoning Requirements

• Requires understanding and strictly adhering to industrial processes and wastewater technologies, sampling methods, analytical procedures, recordkeeping, flow measuring, and safety/security requirements.

Mathematical Requirements

• Requires using basic algebra involving variables and formulas and/or basic geometry involving plane and solid figures, circumferences, areas and volumes, and/or computing flow, concentration, and percentages.

Language Requirements

• Requires reading technical instructions, procedures, schematics, plans, manuals, and charts to solve practical problems. Responsible for composing routine reports and specialized reports and forms with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Mental Requirements

• Requires doing clerical, manual or technical tasks prescribed by standard practices but which may require computation, the use of several procedures simultaneously, and the use of independent judgments with obvious choices; requires acute attention to detail in order to obtain accurate results.