Stephen Vaughn
Middlesboro
Summary
Dedicated professional with over 10 years of experience in water treatment and operations management. Skilled in optimizing workflows, ensuring safety compliance, and developing training programs that enhance team performance. Committed to maintaining the highest standards of regulatory adherence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Plant Operator
Kentucky American Water
06.2026 - Current
- Operated and maintained water treatment processes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Monitored equipment performance and identified areas for operational improvements.
- Assisted in routine inspections of plant facilities to uphold safety protocols.
- Collaborated with team members to optimize workflow and enhance efficiency.
- Documented operational data accurately for reporting and analysis purposes.
Water/Waster Operator II
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
01.2022 - 05.2026
- Operated and maintained water treatment equipment to ensure optimal performance and compliance with safety standards.
- Monitored system operations, identifying and resolving issues to maintain consistent service quality.
- Conducted routine inspections of machinery and infrastructure to assess functionality and prevent downtime.
- Collaborated with team members to implement process improvements, enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness.
- Documented daily activities and system readings, ensuring accurate record-keeping for regulatory compliance.
- Assisted in training new operators on equipment operation, safety protocols, and best practices in water service management.
State Operations Manager
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
07.2017 - 12.2021
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff, improving overall team performance.
- Oversaw compliance with state regulations, ensuring adherence to safety standards and operational guidelines.
- Fostered relationships with stakeholders to support long-term planning and operational goals.
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new technologies.
- Conducted regular performance reviews, providing constructive feedback and setting achievable goals for team members.
- Served as the primary point of contact between the organization''s leadership team and operational staff.
- Assisted in the recruitment and selection process for staffing needs related to operations roles within the company.
- Ensured compliance with all state regulations, policies, and procedures through diligent monitoring and enforcement efforts.
- Oversaw budget planning and financial management to ensure fiscal responsibility and cost control measures were in place.
- Partnered with senior staff to develop annual and quarter plans and budgets.
- Continued duties of Administrative Assistant.
Lead Operator
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
04.2014 - 07.2017
- Supervised daily field operations to ensure work orders and meter reading were done in a timely manner.
- Conducted regular inspections and audits to ensure operational excellence and regulatory adherence.
- Assigned tasks to team members based upon individual strengths and experience, realizing productivity and workflow improvements.
- Continued previous duties of Administrative Assistant.
Operations Administrative Assistant
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
12.2009 - 03.2014
- Coordinated daily administrative operations to ensure efficient workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Prepared reports for regulatory compliance, ensuring accuracy and adherence to industry standards.
- Assisted Regional Manager with preparing budget, training staff, scheduling compliance sampling, preparing data request responses to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, and meter testing program.
- Oversaw Cross Connection Control program.
- Relief operator at Middlesboro WTP.
- On-call operator in field operations.
- Liaison between company and customer service, IT and SCADA vendor.
Water Distribution Operator
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
06.2009 - 12.2009
- Operated and maintained water distribution systems ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
- Conducted routine inspections of pipelines and valves to identify maintenance needs.
- Monitored water quality parameters using advanced testing equipment to ensure regulatory standards.
- Improved water distribution efficiency by conducting regular system inspections and identifying potential issues.
- Maintained accurate records for regulatory compliance by diligently documenting test results and maintenance activities.
- Participated in mandatory training programs to stay current on industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
- Operated valves and gates as needed for optimal flow control within the distribution network, minimizing service disruptions.
Education
No Degree - Political Science
Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KYHigh School Diploma -
Middlesboro Independent High School
Middlesboro, KYSkills
- Team leadership
- Safety procedures compliance
- Water treatment processes
- Staff training and development
- Regulatory compliance reporting
- Equipment calibration and testing
- Sample collecting
- Analyzing water quality
- Water treatment operations
Certification
Class IVA Water Treatment
Class IVD Water Distribution
Class II Waste Water Treatment
Class II Waste Water Collections
Timeline
Senior Plant Operator
Kentucky American Water
06.2026 - Current
Water/Waster Operator II
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
01.2022 - 05.2026
State Operations Manager
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
07.2017 - 12.2021
Lead Operator
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
04.2014 - 07.2017
Operations Administrative Assistant
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
12.2009 - 03.2014
Water Distribution Operator
Water Service Corporation of Kentucky
06.2009 - 12.2009
No Degree - Political Science
Eastern Kentucky University
High School Diploma -
Middlesboro Independent High School