Residence Requirements:

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE BEEN LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY FOR AT LEAST ONE MONTH IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE WRITTEN TEST AND MUST BE LEGAL RESIDENTS OF ERIE COUNTY AT THE TIME OF APPOINTMENT. Preference may be given to successful candidates who have been residents of the municipality in which the appointment is to be made for one month preceding the date of the certification of the eligible list and who are residents of the municipality at the time of appointment.  Non-residents may be required to become a resident of the appointing municipality if local law so states.

At present there is one vacancy in the Town of Tonawanda. *Salaries vary among municipalities and districts. The eligible list resulting from this examination will be used to fill this vacancy and other appropriate vacancies which may occur in municipalities or districts under the jurisdiction of Erie County Civil Service while this list is active.

Examples of Duties:

A Director of Water and Wastewater supervises and participates in the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment facilities, lift stations and the wastewater collection system;

Organizes, assigns and supervises the activities of the division heads within the water and wastewater departnent to ensure that their duties and responsibilities are fulfilled;

Conducts periodic inspections of facilities and equipment;

Reviews records and logs;

Prepares periodic reports;

Formulates department work rules, safety rules and policies;

Maintains discipline throughout the entire department;

Reviews work rules and policies as necessary to maintain safe and efficient operation of the department;

Establishes appropriate training programs for all personnel;

Formulates plans to meet both the immediate and future needs of the department;

Prepares and administers annual budgets and capital improvement plans;

Requisitions equipment and supplies as necessary;

Administers all department projects;

Reponsible for maintaining regulatory compliance in the three ( 3) divisions;

Represents the department in external relations with all regulatory agencies;

Responsible for representing administration and management on behalf of the department in all labor relations matters;

Attends Town Board meetings to provide technical information and assistance;

Takes appropriate actions necessary to resolve citizen sewer and water complaints;

Supervises departmental response and efforts in all emergency situations.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Candidates must meet one of the following requirements on or before the date of the written test:

Graduation from high school or posession of a high school equivalency diploma and either:

A) A New York state Professional Engineer's license; or:

B) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York state registered four (4) year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, natural science or related field and two ( 2) years of supervisory experience* in the design, construction, operation, maintenance or repair of a municipal water or sewage treatment system; or:

C) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York state registered two (2) year college or university with an Associate's degree in Applied Science and four ( 4) years of experience in the design, construction, operation, maintenance or repair of a municipal water or sewage treatment system two (2)  years of which must have been in a supervisory* (see note 4) capacity; or:

D) Six ( 6) years of experience in the design, construction, operation, maintenance or repair of a municipal water or sewage treatment system two (2) years of which must have been in a supervisory* (see note 4) capacity; or:

E) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A), (B), (C) and (D) above.

Notes:

1. If the position involves reponsibility for the actual operation of a water treatment plant, possession of the appropriate level Water Plant Operator Certificate issued under the provisions of the New York State
Sanitary Code is required at time of appointment.

2. If the position involves responsibility for the actual operation of a sewage treatment plant, possession of the appropriate level Sewage Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued under the provisions of the New York State Environmental Conservation Code is required at time of appointment.

3. If the position involves responsibility for the actual operation of a water distribution system, possession of a Distribution System Operator certificate issued under the provisions of the New York state Sanitary Code is required at time of appointment.

4. *A supervisory position is defined as a position in which supervision was a major responsibility of the job. Occasional or partial supervision of work crew is not acceptable supervisory experience.

5. Verifiable part-time and/or volunteer experience will be pro-rated toward meeting full-time experience requirements.

6. Your degree and/or college credit must have been awarded by a regionally accredited college or university or one recognized by the New York State Education Department as following acceptable educational practices. A grade of "D" or better is necessary for a course to be credited as successfully completed. If your degree and/or college credit was awarded by an educational institution outside of the United States and its territories, you must provide independent verification of equivalency. You can write to this Department for a list of acceptable companies providing this service; you must pay the required evaluation fee.

Notice to Candidates: Transcripts will now be accepted by the Department of Personnel ONLY at time of application.
All subsequent transcripts must be submitted at time of interview.

The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However,candidates may find information in the publication "How to take a written test" helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm

Subjects of Examination:

 SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION: A written test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas:

1. Administrative supervision

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices involved in directing the activities of a large subordinate staff, including subordinate supervisors. Questions relate to the personal interactions between an upper level supervisor and his/her subordinate supervisors in the accomplishment of objectives. These questions cover such areas as assigning work to and coordinating the activities of several units, establishing and guiding staff development programs, evaluating the performance of subordinate supervisors, and maintaining relationships with other organizational sections.

2. Methods, materials, and equipment used in the construction and maintenance of water distribution systems and fire hydrants

These questions test for knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in the construction and maintenance of water distribution systems and fire hydrants, including such areas as the purposes and uses of the various components of a water distribution system; terminology associated with water distribution systems; materials and devices used in water distribution system construction and repair; principles and practices involved in the installation, operation, and maintenance of water distribution systems; and the installation, operation, and maintenance of fire hydrants.

3. Methods, materials and equipment used in the construction and maintenance of sanitary and storm sewer lines and collection systems

These questions test for knowledge of the methods, materials, and equipment used in the construction and maintenance of sanitary and storm sewer lines and collection systems, including such areas as principles and practices of sewer system construction, use, and maintenance; terminology associated with sanitary and storm sewer systems; materials and equipment used in sewer system construction, use, and maintenance; sewer line cleaning and system maintenance; and safety practices.

4. Physics, chemistry, and bacteriology related to wastewater treatment and disposal, including laboratory and field tests for plant operations

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices of wastewater treatment, disposal, and testing, including such areas as the principles of physics, chemistry, and bacteriology involved; terminology associated with wastewater treatment and testing; operating principles of the equipment and procedures used in wastewater treatment; measurements and measuring devices used; sampling and testing wastewater and interpreting the results; and identification and characteristics of chemicals and bacteria involved in wastewater plant operations and testing. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations.

5. Practices and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a Type A wastewater treatment plant

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices associated with the operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants employing the activated sludge process or its modifications (Type A plants), including such areas as objectives of plant processes, techniques, and equipment; terminology associated with Type A wastewater treatment plants; conditions and situations encountered in Type A wastewater treatment plants; plant safety and monitoring; and equipment and materials used in Type A wastewater treatment plants. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations.

6. Practices and equipment used in the operation and maintenance of a Type A water treatment plant

These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices associated with the operation and maintenance of Type A water treatment plants, including such areas as objectives and purposes of plant processes and equipment; terminology associated with Type A water treatment plants; conditions and situations encountered in Type A water treatment plants, including safety concerns; water disinfection and dosing; and equipment and materials used in Type A water treatment plants. Some questions may involve basic arithmetic calculations. 

NOTICE TO CANDIDATES: Unless otherwise noted, candidates are permitted to use quiet, hand held, solar or battery powered calculators. Devices with typewriter keyboards, "Spell Checkers", “Personal Digital Assistants", "Address Books", "Language Translators", "Dictionaries", or any similar devices are prohibited. You may not bring books or other reference materials.

**IMPORTANT APPLICATION FEE - READ CAREFULLY**

A $20.00 filing fee is required for this exam. The required fee must accompany your application. Send or bring check or money order made payable to Erie County Personnel Department and write the examination number(s) on your check or money order. Do not send or bring cash, as the County cannot be responsible for cash payment. As no refund will be made, you are urged to compare your qualifications carefully with the requirements for admission and file only for those examinations for which you are clearly qualified.