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Assistant Business Unit Manager - Operations

Metropolitan Council
$98,800.00 - $160,347.20 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement plan, pension
Aug 20, 2025

WHO WE ARE

Who We Are: We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We're seeking to hire two (2) individuals.

About Us:

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) is an operating division of the Metropolitan Council. MCES operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system for the Minneapolis-St. Paul's seven-county metropolitan area, which includes approximately 600 miles of regional sanitary sewers and eight regional wastewater treatment plants. MCES treats an average of 250 million gallons of wastewater daily, providing cost-effective service to more than 2.6 million people in 109 customer communities. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES also is nationally renowned for its superior work monitoring air and water quality and planning for a long-range water supply to meet future demand.

To find out how the Metropolitan Council and the Environmental Services division serve the Twin Cities region, please click on the links for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We- Are.aspx and https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How would your work contribute to the Twin Cities Region:

As an Assistant Business Unit Manager- Interceptor Services, you will provide leadership, management, guidance, and support to the business unit to ensure compliance with environmental and safety regulations. You will also ensure that processes, personnel, budgets, and infrastructure are maintained in accordance with Metropolitan Council policies and procedures. Additionally, you will manage various Interceptor Services Business Unit (ISBU) programs and provide leadership for the ISBU field crews, ESGIS, Interceptor Technician, and Metering and Alarm staff. Other responsibilities include assigning work, providing direction and review for compliance with standards. Coordinate and provide direction for the operation, maintenance and emergency repair of the interceptor collection system. Review Capital Improvement Project (CIP) designs and collaborate with CIP project team to ensure quality work is delivered to Interceptor Services Operations.

Note: This position requires frequent travel and working out of various locations throughout the seven (7) county Metropolitan Area. Some work sites are not accessible by public transportation, so driving a Council vehicle within the metro area may be required. Position may be required to work at night and on weekends.




What you would do in this job

  • Assists the Business Unit Manager (BUM) to provide supervision, work direction, training, and guidance to all Interceptor Services Business Unit (ISBU) staff for day-to-day operations.
  • Onboard and train new staff hired to the business unit.
  • Plan, Schedule, coordinate, and prioritize tasks and work activities utilizing an enterprise asset management system (currently WAM), and checks work for conformance to business unit standards and process optimalization.
  • Manages and evaluates employee performance. Provides coaching and feedback, as necessary. Conducts performance reviews and implements disciplinary actions in accordance with established procedures.
  • Foster a positive culture where employees are empowered, recognized, and valued for their initiative, diversity, talents and can-do-attitude. Develops and oversees training of new hires; facilitates refresher training and training on new equipment. Reviews and updates training programs.
  • Manages, implements, and enforces ES Safety and compliance programs. Assists with the development of safety procedures and protocols in accordance with federal and state regulations and ES policies and procedures including investigation and analysis of failures and violations; taking remedial action for improvement; and measuring and documenting results.
  • Troubleshoots problems and implements effective solutions in a team-based environment by empowering staff with meaningful decision-making input and ownership of work plan and outcomes. Respond directly or through staff to resolve issues or complaints such as odors, noise, sewer system operation, and vehicle operation by MCES staff in a prompt and professional manner.
  • Coordinates construction activities to minimize disruptions to business unit operations. Serves as construction liaison. Provides input for written plans and specifications.
  • Manages, leads, or directs various teams and projects, such as maintenance and capital projects and process improvement projects.
  • Coordinates maintenance and repair activities with Interceptor Operators, other MCES business units, and Trades personnel, utility workers, contractors and other municipal and public agencies.
  • Communicate and collaborate with internal and external partners, stakeholders, and staff. Represents and/or assumes Business Unit Manager's or other Assistant Business Unit Manager (ABUM) responsibilities, obligations, etc., during absences or as requested.
  • Accountable for budget development and control to ensure that each program/subprogram contributes to meeting overall budgeted goals.
  • Initiate projects, obtain quotes, secure permits and cultural resource approvals, advance work and acceptance.
  • Assist with strategies and direction to achieve operational efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Evaluate, assess, and provide input for the planning, design and construction impacts on operations and maintenance.
  • Prepare clear, easy to read and well documented reports when faced with difficult or uncommon operating situations or incidents.
  • Available to respond to emergency situations 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365 days per year.
  • Travel between MCES facilities.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

Any of the following combinations of experience (in wastewater treatment or related field AND completed education (degree field of study in environmental science, biology, engineering, or closely related fields:

  • High school diploma/GED with ten (10) years of experience including three (3) years of experience in management or supervision.
  • Associate degree with eight (8) years of experience, including three (3) years of experience in management or supervision.
  • Bachelor's degree or higher with six (6) years of experience, including (3) years of experience in management or supervision.

License Requirements

  • You must have a valid driver's license.
  • Obtain a SC or C Wastewater Operators Certification within 24 months of hire
  • Obtain a S-B or B Certification within 5 years of hire.

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

  • Five (5) years of supervisory, lead or project management experience related to managing and leading field crews in a wastewater collection, treatment or related field.
  • Experience with regulatory compliance (wastewater, environmental, safety).
  • MN Class SA, A, SB or B Wastewater license.
  • Demonstrable experience using a computerized maintenance management system such as WAM.
  • demonstrable experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA).
  • Knowledge of Federal and State regulations (USEPA, MNPCA, OSHA, etc.) as they pertain to sanitary sewer collection systems.
  • Demonstrable experience with collection system inspection, evaluation methods and procedures.
  • Demonstrable ability and experience reading and understanding construction documents.
  • Superb written and oral communication skills.
  • Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

  • Strong knowledge, understanding, and experience in implementing safety protocol in the performance of job duties, including performing work in hazardous environments and handling of hazardous materials.
  • Knowledge of the Interceptor system, SCADA system, safety and compliance requirements, work order and asset management system, GIS Mapping, and other essential systems.
  • Experience in providing effective work directions to a crew; follow up to ensure completion, understanding, and efficiency of work; garner team solutions when troubleshooting and problem solving.
  • Excellent coaching, management, conflict resolution skills with ability to train, develop, mentor, correct, and redirect for desired outcomes while following labor agreements.
  • Demonstrate the Met Council culture values where people are put first, work together, and adapt to change.
  • Ability to communicate complex information verbally and in written form in a professional, clear, and effective manner.
  • Knowledge of labor agreements, policies, and procedures.
  • Ability to enforce compliance and safety regulations in accordance with MCES policies and procedures.

What you can expect from us:

  • We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
  • We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
  • We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!



Additional information

Union/Grade: MANA Grade J

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: Yes (Non-DOT)

Full Salary Range: $47.50Hourly/$98,800 Annually --$77.09 hourly/$160,347 annually

It is anticipated that a maximum of 40% the of time will be spent in the field at various work locations throughout the seven (7) county Metropolitan Area. Work is divided between the field, with exposure to malodorous conditions, outdoor weather and a normal office environment. Position is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and occasionally to wet, humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals. There is occasional exposure to extreme heat and risk of electrical shock. Position frequently works near moving parts or equipment. Position is frequently required to travel by vehicle locally. Position may be required to work at night and on weekends.

What steps the recruitment process involves:
  1. We rate your education and experience.
  2. We conduct a structured panel interview.
  3. We conduct a selection interview.
  4. Match 360 (Omni View) Leadership Assessment

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by- case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non- safety sensitive position to a safety-sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety-sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. If you have a disability that requires an accommodation during the selection process, please email HR- OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us

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