[Amended 5-4-1982 by L.L. No. 1-1982]
[Amended 2-3-2015 by L.L. No. 3-2015; 3-21-2017 by L.L. No. 3-2017]
There shall be a Department of Wastewater Treatment headed by a Superintendent of Wastewater who shall be appointed by the Mayor pursuant to the procedure as set forth in § C4-3C. They shall be qualified on the basis of their training and experience and be licensed as a New York State wastewater operator at a grade level commensurate with the City's treatment plant. Unless otherwise provided in this Charter, they shall be directly responsible to the Mayor.
A.
Distinguishing features of the class. This is administrative and
technical work involving responsibility for managing and planning
for the City of Cortland sewer system. The work is performed under
administrative direction of the Mayor and with the advice of the Wastewater
Advisory Board. This position is distinguished from the Wastewater
Treatment Plant Operator of Record/Chief Operator as that term is
defined in 6 NYCRR 650.2(c). Does related work as required.
B.
Typical work activities:
(1)
Plans and directs major and minor upgrades and capital improvements
to wastewater facilities;
(2)
Supervises the performance of all contracts for wastewater-related
services and facility improvements and certifies the amounts due and
payable thereunder;
(3)
Prepares departmental budget and directs the maintenance of budget
control;
(4)
Drafts specifications for and recommends the purchase of equipment;
machinery, materials, tools and other supplies;
(5)
Directs the preparation and maintenance of a variety of activity,
cost, personnel, statistical and related records and reports;
(6)
Attends meetings and conferences to assist in the formulation of
policy relating to wastewater activities;
(7)
Assists in application for and administration of grants for wastewater
and related infrastructure projects;
(8)
Works with Director of Administration in developing opportunities
to leverage wastewater services as an economic development tool;
(9)
Plans and directs training of subordinate personnel to ensure an
adequately skilled workforce.
C.
Full performance knowledge, skills, abilities:
(1)
Thorough knowledge of the processes, practices, techniques, tools,
equipment, materials, terminology and safety precautions of all aspects
of biological wastewater treatment;
(2)
Good knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations relating
to wastewater treatment;
(3)
Good knowledge of the principles and practices of the administration
of a wastewater department;
(4)
Ability to plan, develop, coordinate and carry out small-scale wastewater
treatment facility projects and programs;
(5)
Ability to solve difficult and unusual wastewater problems;
(6)
Ability to analyze technical wastewater data, arrive at logical conclusions
and present facts and findings clearly and concisely;
(7)
Ability to understand and carry out complex administrative and technical,
oral, and written directions;
(8)
Ability to get along well with and secure the cooperation of others;
(9)
Ability to train individuals in wastewater methods and procedures;
(10)
Good judgment;
(11)
Initiative and resourcefulness;
(12)
Integrity;
(13)
Dependability;
(14)
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
D.
Minimum qualifications: possession of a high school diploma or GED
and four years of work experience managing a municipal wastewater
department serving a population of over 20,000.
[Amended 2-3-2015 by L.L. No. 3-2015]
The Superintendent of Wastewater shall have the powers and duties
to:
A.
Organize and supervise the activities of the Department of Wastewater
with respect to:
(1)
Administration, operation and maintenance of the entire treatment
plant.
(2)
Work schedules of all subordinate personnel.
(3)
Review and interpretation of operating reports and laboratory data
relating to plant operations.
(4)
Supervision of training, safety and staff development programs.
(5)
Keeping and maintaining of necessary records, such as an inventory
of supplies, chemicals and equipment.
B.
Hire and discipline subordinate personnel in accordance with applicable
laws.
C.
Prepare specifications for major expenditures, including major equipment
purchases.
D.
Enforce sewer use ordinances, including but not limited to monitoring
all wastewater discharges, wastewater volume determinations, the issuance
of permits and initiation of penalties for violations.
E.
Prepare contractual and industrial sewer use bills as required.
F.
Prepare and submit monthly, quarterly and yearly reports to federal,
state, local and other agencies as required.
G.
Prepare annual estimates of revenues and proposed expenditures and
capital program requests and make recommendations to the Council with
the assistance of the Wastewater Treatment Board regarding the sewer
user fees to be charged users within the City.
H.
Provide a means whereby any user aggrieved by their sewer charge
can present their grievance for adjudication.
I.
Maintain effective communications and working relationships with
employees, governmental officials and the general public.
J.
Perform such other duties as requested by the Mayor or as otherwise
may be authorized.
There shall be a Wastewater Treatment Board consisting of five
members who shall be appointed by the Mayor with confirmation by the
Common Council. The members shall serve three years with no compensation,
except the Common Council may authorize reimbursement of expenses.
The Wastewater Treatment Board shall, at the beginning of each year,
elect one of its members as Chair.
[Amended 3-5-1991 by L.L. No. 1-1991; 5-7-1991 by L.L. No.
4-1991]
In addition to the membership provided for in § C17-3, the Wastewater Treatment Board shall consist of one ex officio member from each municipality as shall have intermunicipal wastewater treatment agreements with the City of Cortland. Selection procedures and length of terms shall be determined by each municipality who has such agreement with the City. These ex officio members may participate in all discussions concerning the Department of Wastewater Treatment, but they shall not vote in any matters before the Wastewater Treatment Board, and their presence or absence shall not be a factor in determining the existence of a quorum.
[Amended 2-3-2015 by L.L. No. 3-2015]
The Wastewater Treatment Board shall have the powers and duties
to:
A.
Submit to the Mayor the names of at least three qualified candidates, if there are three qualified candidates on the list of names reviewed and evaluated pursuant to § C4-3C for the position of Superintendent of Wastewater.
B.
Be advised of all appointments of subordinate personnel made by the
Superintendent of Wastewater and review, at their request or as the
Board may deem necessary, disciplinary matters.
C.
Review the estimates of revenues and proposed expenditures and capital
program of the Department and make recommendations to the Mayor and
Capital Program Committee, respectively.
D.
Adjudicate grievances presented by any user aggrieved by their sewer
charge. The Board shall have the power to affirm or modify the sewer
charge, must state its reasons for its decisions in writing and shall
order that a refund be paid to the grievant if its decision involves
modification of the sewer charge.
E.
Review all complaints by citizens and, with the Superintendent of
Wastewater, devise solutions to valid problems in Department operations.
F.
Counsel the Superintendent of Wastewater on the administration and
operations of the Department as they or the Mayor may request or as
the Board deems necessary.
