SUPERVISOR COMPOST PROJECT

Code: 06505 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, supervises and works with a group of employees engaged in the operation of a variety of equipment in order to produce compost material; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Supervisor, Compost Project has substantially full supervisory responsibility for control over work operations and subordinates as described below, and is accountable to his superiors for the quantity and quality of the work done. He normally acts within general instructions, standard procedures, and established policies. He is responsible for assuring the efficient and economical accomplishment of work assignments by his subordinates within general work schedules set by higher levels of supervision.

PLANNING

Plans weekly or monthly work schedules and sequence of operations for subordinates.

Establishes deadlines and priorities on the basis of general work schedules, methods, and policies established by higher levels of supervision.

Determines how many assignments can be done concurrently or which must be delayed, the number and types of employees needed, considering skills and personnel available to do the work, and the availability of materials and equipment required.

WORK DIRECTION

Selects individual workers and assigns the particular work of tasks to be performed.

Explains work requirements, methods, and procedures as needed.

Defines the standards of quality and quantity to be met.

Instructs subordinates on difficult work operations.

Reviews work while in progress or on completion, and changes work plans, work assignments, and methods as necessary to reduce or control costs, and to accomplish the work of the unit as effectively as possible.

Determines equipment, materials, and maintenance required.

Assures that material is ordered and delivered to work sites so as not to delay work.

Coordinates the work of the unit supervised with other units that may be involved.

ADMINISTRATION

Schedules and approves leave requests of subordinates, sets performance expected of subordinates, and makes formal appraisals of their work performance, and determines training needs.

Initiates recommendations for promotion or reassignment of subordinates.

Counsels employees, adjusts informal complaints and grievances through discussion with employees and union representatives, and initiates disciplinary actions as needed.

Sees to it that employees observe regulations and rules on housekeeping conduct and safety.

Maintains production reports and records.

"Sewage" compost is one with the purpose of converting sewage sludge collected from sewage treatment plants into an inert composted material suitable to be disposed in a manner which would not be a health hazard nor would contaminate the environment.

Operationally, the sewage sludge (a mixture of sewage solids and water) is processed through the sludge dewatering process which remove most of the water by compacting the solids.

These solids in turn are mixed with woodchips, stacked in a predetermined format and cured by its own "fermentation" throughout a considerable period of time (around 51 days).

Afterward the woodchips and composted sludge are separated.

Woodchips are reused and the compost material distributed for use in growing lawns and flowers or as land fill.

"Vegetative Waste" compost is one with the purpose of converting leaves, grass clippings, recycling of brush and other vegetative waste such as tuber materials, barnyard or stockyard type manure in order to produce compost.

Examples of work

• Assigns work, trains, and supervises the staff involved in the activities of a composting operation.
• Checks the operations of a variety of equipment in order to identify the source or cause of malfunction and to determine the best solution to the problem or need for repair.
• Monitors the various sites to ensure that proper external conditions exist for composting; for example, temperature, aeration, etc.
• Prepares reports and maintains files on the activities of the unit.
• Recommends disciplinary actions.
• Supervises workers in the proper and safe operation of front end loaders, trucks, street sweepers, and other related equipment.
• Ensures that material is considered composted and ready for distribution.
• May direct a group of employees to assist other municipalities with the upkeep of their composting sites.
• Assists in resolving problems related to operating a compost site; for example, odors, leachate, ponding, road access and egress and safety operations.
• Operates a variety of equipment and machinery as needed in the operation of a composting operation.
• If working with sludge, supervises workers in the proper arrangement of flexible piping system and sludge woodchip mixture in order to provide proper aeration.

Experience

Three (3) years of work experience in the various phases of composting processes.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the process used in composting sewage sludge.
• Knowledge of the problems, procedures, and methods used in inspecting, analyzing, and determining the work to be done.
• Knowledge of the maintenance, inspection, and repair of equipment and machinery, particular to the sewage processing operation.
• Ability to supervise and work with compost workers.
• Ability to check work to see that proper procedures are followed.
• Ability to see that reasonable standards of work performance are maintained.
• Ability to inspect equipment and machinery to identify and correct any problems that may occur.
• Ability to prepare accurate and sound reports on the activities of the unit.
• Ability to maintain needed records and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.