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About the Chester Water Authority:

The Chester Water Authority is a regional municipal water authority that provides service to more than 200,000 residents and business owners in western Delaware County, southern Chester County and the city of Chester.  The CWA treats water at the Octoraro Treatment Plant, which derives its water from two sources: the 520-acre Octoraro Reservoir on the Octoraro Creek and the Susquehanna River. The Octoraro Reservoir is man-made lake that was created to serve as a source of water for CWA’s customers.  Prior to treatment, water is retained in the reservoir by the Pine Grove Dam, which is owned and operated by the

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Plant Mechanic Supervisor is responsible for the maintenance and repair activities of all mechanical and electrical systems, equipment, and machinery within the facility. This role includes scheduled maintenance, modifications, repairs of existing equipment, installation of new equipment, and emergency repairs of critical process equipment.

This is a hands-on, skilled position requiring in-depth knowledge of mechanical and electrical maintenance practices. The Plant Mechanic Supervisor must assess work requirements, schedule and organize tasks, direct a team, perform hands-on work, and maintain detailed records of all activities.

The Plant Mechanic Supervisor is an essential role and includes on-call responsibilities for the Octoraro Water Treatment Plant, which operates continuously, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

REPORTS TO:

The Plant Mechanic Supervisor reports to the Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor. In the absence of the Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor, this role reports to the Director of Plant Operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supervision and Training:
    • Train and supervise the work of assigned personnel, ensuring all work is performed safely and as directed.
    • Assign tasks, manage schedules, and monitor the performance of the team.
    • Conduct regular team meetings to communicate operational goals, safety standards, and maintenance strategies.
  • Maintenance Management:
  • Review maintenance requests, prioritize and direct responses to critical repairs to minimize operational impact.
  • Coordinate maintenance response with operations and other departments as needed.
  • Preventative Maintenance:
    • Organize and schedule routine preventative maintenance work in coordination with operations.
    • Direct and assist personnel as needed, create standard operating procedures and checklists. Ensure all maintenance activities are documented, and maintenance records are kept up-to-date.
  • Equipment Troubleshooting and Evaluation:
    • Evaluate, diagnose and troubleshoot issues with plant equipment.
    • Recommend repairs or modifications and supervise and assist with repairs or replacement of faulty components.
    • Coordinate with vendors and suppliers the procurement of parts and services as needed.
  • Equipment Maintenance:
    • Direct, train, and assist personnel in the proper procedures for safely isolating, testing, servicing, repairing, and returning to operation various plant equipment, including but not limited to:
      • Liquid and dry chemical feed equipment, evaporators, chlorinators, mixers, flocculators, screw conveyors, pumps, hydraulic controls, diesel engines, generators, valves, electric motors, compressors, boilers, heaters, Tainter Gate operating equipment, plumbing, drains, piping, vacuum systems, and other plant equipment.
  • Inventory Management:
    • Inventory and maintain materials, spare parts, tools, and equipment used by maintenance personnel.
    • Purchase necessary supplies, spare parts, tools, and equipment as needed.
  • Plant Shop Management:
    • Maintain the plant shop and its equipment.
    • Train employees in the use of shop tools and ensure proper fabrication, repair, installation, and maintenance of plant equipment.
  • Instrumentation and Controls Support:
    • Install, test, adjust, maintain, repair, or replace instrumentation, sensors, and controls used in plant processes, in coordination with the Instrumentation Specialist.
  • Technology Skills:
    • Use PLCs, SCADA systems, HMI, and process trending software in routine evaluation and troubleshooting of plant equipment.
    • Continuously advance the computer skills of both self and supervised personnel to enhance the use of these tools.
  • Safety Compliance:

Ensure adherence to safety regulations, conduct safety training and investigate any incidents.

  1. On-Call Responsibilities:
    • Provide 24/7 On-call support for Plant emergencies.
  2. Backup Responsibilities:
    • Provide backup supervisory duties of the Electrical/Mechanical Supervisor in their absence.

OTHER FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Coordinate work performed by Millwright Services, Electrical Services, and other contractors working on plant systems.
  2. Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION:

Directly supervise the work of Plant Mechanics and Relief Operator / Plant Mechanics and other assigned personnel.

HOURS OF WORK:

Normal hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, typically between 6:30 AM and 3:30 PM. Hours and days may vary seasonally and to meet operational requirements. Overtime is required for operational emergencies or essential work.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

MUSTS:

  • Two years of trade school after high school or equivalent mechanical training/work experience.
  • Five years of skilled mechanical and electrical work experience with complex equipment and systems, demonstrating progressive responsibility and leadership aptitude.
  • Ability to assess and troubleshoot equipment, define required work, layout tasks, determine and obtain necessary parts, tools, and materials, and coordinate personnel, contractors, or vendors to efficiently complete work.
  • Strong observational skills, thoroughness, and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to supervise other employees, demonstrating good listening skills, understanding employee motivation, and ensuring adherence to policies and procedures.
  • Ability to coordinate maintenance work with plant operations and communicate the operational significance of the work.
  • Ability to read, comprehend, and utilize maintenance manuals, diagrams, and parts lists, and seek specialized assistance when needed.
  • Strong organizational skills with ability to keep accurate records of equipment maintenance, track parts, tools, and materials used.
  • Proficiency in computer use for normal work tasks.
  • Willingness to attend training seminars to advance skills and knowledge.
  • Ability to follow and direct others in routine and emergency safety procedures in a water treatment facility with chemical, mechanical, and electrical hazards.
  • Ability to don a self-contained breathing apparatus and work in the presence of chlorine gas or anhydrous ammonia while wearing the apparatus.
  • Physical ability to operate manual valves, climb stairs and ladders, negotiate catwalks, bend and squat to inspect equipment, and read gauges and charts.
  • Residence within 30 minutes of the plant to be established within one year of hire.
  • Valid Driver’s License for the state of residence.
  • Ability to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation.

WANTS:

  • Knowledge of water treatment plant processes and operations.
  • Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions related to chemicals used in water treatment (e.g., alum, lime, chlorine, anhydrous ammonia, hydrofluorosilicic acid, powdered activated carbon, permanganates, polymer).
  • Familiarity with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), personal computers (PCs), and electronic instrumentation.
  • Knowledge of equipment lubrication and the proper selection of lubricants for various applications.

If you are interested in this position: email Michael D’Agostino at mdagostino@chesterwater.com

Chester Water Authority is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

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