ST. PETERSBURG — City leaders recently filled a new management position to oversee the city's embattled wastewater system.

Lisa Rhea, who taught chemistry before getting her masters in environmental engineering, was hired in April as a senior water resources manager.

The former Oldsmar public works director takes over a system that is undergoing extensive renovation. The city is spending $326 million to improve its wastewater system as part of a consent order with the state after the 2015-16 sewage crisis, during which the city spilled up to a billion gallons.

Rhea was most recently a vice president at Jones Edmunds, an environmental and infrastructure company, according to her resume.

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Contact Josh Solomon at jsolomon@tampabay.com or (813) 909-4613. Follow @ByJoshSolomon.