Joseph Fontenot

Experience

• 

  City of Kenner - Wastewater Dept.

  Nov 1988 - Jun 1995

  Operator - City of Kenner WWTP's

  • Ran process control testing at all 3 (Grade 4) WWTP facilities.• Ran belt presses at all 3 facilities.• Monitored all day-to-day operations to keep plant in compliance.• Grounds keeping, painting, and assisting maintenance where needed.

• 

  Professional Services Group Ltd

  Jul 1995 - May 1999

  • Supervised Operations Staff of 11 Class IV operators at 3 (Grade 4) WWTP facilities.• Set work schedules, vacations, and ensured that sick days were covered.• Entered all data into OPS-WIN for process control and compliance data tracking purposes.• Made all major purchases for Operations such as Cl2, Polymer, Diesel, and others. • Ran process control testing at all 3 (Grade 4) WWTP facilities.• Ran belt presses at all 3 facilities.• Monitored all day-to-day operations to keep plant in compliance.• Grounds keeping, painting, and assisting maintenance where needed.

  • Operations Superintendent of the Kenner WWTP's

    May 1997 - May 1999

  • Operator II - Kenner, LA.

    Jul 1995 - May 1997
• 

  US Filter

  Jun 1999 - Nov 2001

  Asst. Project Manager of the WWTP and Collection System in Demopolis, AL.

  • Directly responsible for compliance of Grade 3 WWTP.• Oversaw operations staff, assured lab compliance with all ADEM and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Assisted in most aspects of Water and Wastewater Operations.• Helped troubleshoot problems in Water and Wastewater Operations. • Project Safety Coordinator.• Prepare and sign all monthly DMR’s to ADEM.• Worked with PM on Budgets, Evaluations, and other necessary project paperwork.• Attended monthly Water Board meetings with PM that dealt with problems and budget issues from the Mayor and other Board Members.• Was Acting PM whenever PM was out of town or unavailable.• Helped out with most computer work done at project.• Traveled to other projects to help out with computer work, safety audits, etc. Show less

• 

  Veolia

  Nov 2001 - Jul 2008

  • Responsible for assisting with the daily operations of 2 WWTP’s (6.0 MGD Activated Sludge and 3.5 MGD Activated Sludge)• Ran process control and permitted testing for both facilities.• Work with junior operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Attend weekly process control meetings to discuss weekly testing and target future jobs and assignments.• Ran belt press at 6.0 MGD facility.• Monitored all day-to-day operations to keep plant in compliance.• Grounds keeping, painting, and assisting maintenance where needed.• Ordered all lab supplies and made purchasing decisions. Show less • Manage all aspects of 7 different Water Cooling Systems in the IPSCO Steel Mill.• Oversees all aspects of compliance with ADEM and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Worked with IPSCO’s environmental and safety coordinator’s to ensure all of IPSCO’s rules and regs are met.• Hold weekly water process meetings to discuss weekly testing and target future jobs and assignments.• Set work schedules, vacations, and ensured that sick days were covered.• Worked on Budgets, Evaluations, and other necessary project paperwork.• Responsible for all budgetary and personnel issues.• Attended weekly meetings with client that dealt with operational problems and maintenance issues.• Work with operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Work closely with staff to ensure that all work is completed in a safe and timely manner. Show less • Oversees all aspects of lab compliance with ADEM and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Work with IPSCO environmental coordinator to ensure all of IPSCO’s rules and regs are met.• Project Safety Coordinator.• Make sure all of IPSCO’s safety rules and regs are met.• Work with operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Attend weekly water process meetings to discuss weekly testing and target future jobs and assignments.• Make commodity chemical purchases for operations such as Cl2, caustic, lime, and others. Show less

  • Operator III of Auburn AL's WWTP

    Nov 2006 - Jul 2008

  • Project Manager of the IPSCO Steel Mill in Axis, AL

    Nov 2004 - Nov 2006

  • Lab/Safety Coordinator of the IPSCO Steel Mill in Axis, AL

    Nov 2001 - Nov 2004
• 

  Veolia North America

  Jul 2008 - Jul 2017

  • Responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of a 15-MGD (Kenner) and 1.6 MGD (Harahan) activated sludge wastewater treatment plants and ensure effective, reliable plant performance and compliance with permit standards.• Supervise employees (at both sites) to make certain that plant appearance standards are upheld, and to assure that work is performed in a safe and professional manner by following established laboratory, operating, safety, and emergency response procedures.• Develop, improve, and conduct/coordinate process control training programs and ensure that consistent process control and quality assurance procedures are followed in all plant areas and shifts.• Advise staff in diagnosing complex operational and maintenance issues and recommend and implement improvements to process control to more effectively achieve the stated project objective.• Develop, monitor, and analyze all budget elements to ensure cost effective service while meeting budget as well as develop annual operational budgets.• Review employees’ performance in accordance with policies and procedures.• Directly oversaw construction during plant expansion, worked with contractors building all new piping and tankage. Job was underway when I assumed the job, and I saw it through to the finish. Overall job took almost 2 years. Show less • Responsible for assisting with the daily operations of a 1.6-MGD activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and 14 lift stations that feed it.• Executed major repairs of most pump stations, predominantly electrical issues. Also made wholesale repairs to SCADA system at most stations.• Worked with a co-worker taking care of all aspects of the wastewater system. Our partnership with the City of Harahan allows this municipality to benefit from our private sector expertise and from our experience managing programs. Doing this while saving them money by economizing operations and from our national purchasing power. • Coordinate and supervise plant safety and training programs• Plan, organize, and conduct monthly site inspections and yearly audits• Monitor and oversee all laboratory activities and implement a rigorous laboratory QA/QC program to enhance permit compliance• Conduct and assist with internal lab audits and inspectionsVeolia and the City of Harahan have benefitted greatly from this long term relationship. Veolia has been here in the City for many years through the terms of several different Mayors and continue to have a good relationship with the city administration.Previously I have worked in systems (water, wastewater, and industrial) on all aspects of operations. I have years of experience in operations and management. I work hard to solve problems, minimize expenses, and maximize efficiency. Safety is job #1 and we all work hard to keep it that way.I have recently relocated to Harahan to get closer to the area where I grew up in South Louisiana. Show less • Responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of a 1.75-MGD RBC Plant and a 1.75 MGD Accelerated Facultative Lagoon Plant treatment plant and ensure effective, reliable plant performance and compliance with permit standards.• Managed staff of 11 operators, maintenance personnel, and field crew workers.• Work on Project Budgets, Personnel Evaluations, and other necessary project paperwork.• Responsible for all budgetary and personnel issues.• Set work schedules, vacations, and ensure that sick days were covered.• Worked with City of Bastrop Staff and their engineers to assist in getting grants for sewer dept improvements.• Helped rewrite the City of Bastrop Sewer and Stormwater ordinances.• Make sure all of Veolia’s and the City of Bastrop’s safety rules and regs are met.• Attend monthly City Council meetings with the Mayor and other Board Members.• Oversees all aspects of sewer dept. compliance with LDEQ and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Work with operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Work closely with staff and supervision to ensure that all work is completed in a safe and timely manner. Show less

  • Operations Manager of Kenner and Harahan's LA's WWTP's

    Aug 2016 - Jul 2017

  • Lead Operator of Harahan LA's WWTP and Collection System

    Dec 2015 - Aug 2016

  • Asst. Project Manager of Bastrop, LA. WWTP's and Collection System

    Jan 2015 - Nov 2015

  • Project Manager II of Bastrop LA's WWTP's and Collection System

    Jul 2008 - Jan 2015
• 

  CWS ClearWater Solutions

  Jan 2018 - Feb 2018

  Senior Water Operator

  In charge of all aspects Water System for the City of Port Wentworth, GA.

• 

  City of Sioux City

  Feb 2018 - Aug 2021

  Responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of a 15-MGD activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and ensure effective, reliable plant performance and compliance with permit standards.• Supervise employees to make certain that plant appearance standards are upheld, and to assure that work is performed in a safe and professional manner by following established laboratory, operating, safety, and emergency response procedures.• Managed staff of 26 operators, maintenance personnel, laboratory workers, pre-treatment and FOG staff.• Work on City Budgets, Personnel Evaluations, and other necessary city paperwork.• Responsible for all budgetary and personnel issues.• Set work schedules, vacations, and ensure that sick days were covered.• Worked with City of Sioux City Staff and their engineers to assist in getting grants and SRF loans for sewer dept improvements.• Involved with Pre-Treatment work and FOG program.• Make sure all of the City of Sioux City’s safety rules and regs are met.• Attend weekly City Council meetings with the Mayor and other Council Members.• Oversees all aspects of sewer dept. compliance with DNR and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Work with operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Work closely with staff and supervision to ensure that all work is completed in a safe and timely manner. Show less • Responsible for managing and overseeing the daily operations of a 15-MGD activated sludge wastewater treatment plant and ensure effective, reliable plant performance and compliance with permit standards.• Supervise employees to make certain that plant appearance standards are upheld, and to assure that work is performed in a safe and professional manner by following established laboratory, operating, safety, and emergency response procedures.• Managed staff of 26 operators, maintenance personnel, laboratory workers, pre-treatment and FOG staff.• Work on City Budgets, Personnel Evaluations, and other necessary city paperwork.• Responsible for all budgetary and personnel issues.• Set work schedules, vacations, and ensure that sick days were covered.• Worked with City of Sioux City Staff and their engineers to assist in getting grants for sewer dept improvements.• Involved with Pre-Treatment work and FOG program.• Make sure all of the City of Sioux City’s safety rules and regs are met.• Attend weekly City Council meetings with the Mayor and other Council Members.• Oversees all aspects of sewer dept. compliance with DNR and EPA guidelines & regulations.• Work with operators on all aspects of plant operations.• Work closely with staff and supervision to ensure that all work is completed in a safe and timely manner. Show less

  • WWTP Superintendent

    Aug 2018 - Aug 2021

  • WWTP Acting Superintendent

    Apr 2018 - Aug 2018

  • WWTP Operations Supervisor

    Feb 2018 - Apr 2018
• 

  Midwest Water Operations, LLC

  Aug 2021 - Dec 2022

  Process Development Dept

  1. Make site visits to a selected group of treatment plants to compare actual appearance with recorded data. 2. Work with assigned supervisors and assigned plant staff to achieve compliance. 3. Review and report on any capital needs that may interfere with compliance.

• 

  CWS ClearWater Solutions

  Jan 2023 - now

  1. Make site visits to a selected group of treatment plants to compare actual appearance with recorded data. 2. Work with assigned supervisors and assigned plant staff to achieve compliance. 3. Review and report on any capital needs that may interfere with compliance.

  • Area Manager

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Process Development Department

    Jan 2023 - Jan 2024