Assistant Water Treatment Manager

City of Arvada

About The Position

We’re seeking a dedicated and experienced professional to join our team as an Assistant Water Treatment Manager. In this role, you’ll play a key part in ensuring the safe, reliable delivery of high-quality drinking water to our community. Working alongside the Water Treatment Manager, you’ll support daily operations, regulatory compliance, and the advancement of critical systems including SCADA and operational technology. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about public service, environmental stewardship, and leading-edge water treatment practices.

Requirements

Solid knowledge of principles and practices of water treatment operations, maintenance, SCADA/Controls systems, and regulatory compliance.
Working knowledge of federal and state drinking water regulations.
Working knowledge with SCADA systems, OT/ICS technologies, and cybersecurity protocols.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to assess and respond to treatment system issues.
Ability to exercise sound initiative and judgment as well as make decisions within the scope of assigned authority
Effectively communicates in writing and verbally with all levels of personnel within the city, regulators, contractors, and public in a positive and cooperative and professional manner.
Ability to create informative and concise reports utilizing WQ database programs, Microsoft Xcel and word.
Ability to follow detailed technical procedures and documentation standards.
Proficiency in interpreting water quality data and performing operational adjustments.
Competence with basic budgeting and asset management principles.
Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
State of Colorado Water Treatment Class C certification with the ability to obtain a State of Colorado Class A certification within two (2) years of hire.
A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record is required.
Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, BBA) Environmental Science, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management, Public Administration, or a related field.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in water treatment or related area.
One (1) year in a supervisory or lead experience.
Must pass a criminal background check and a driving record check, if required by the position.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with SCADA/ICS systems in a public utility setting

Responsibilities

Assists in the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and optimization of the City’s water treatment plants.
Implements standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensures adherence to best practices across treatment processes.
Monitors water treatment system performance to ensure quality, reliability, and efficiency.
Supports compliance with all local, state, and federal water quality regulations, including EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Monitors water sampling, laboratory testing, and reporting to ensure regulatory requirements are met.
Investigates water quality concerns and assists in implementing corrective actions.
Monitors SCADA systems, instrumentation, telemetry, and other OT components to ensure reliable performance.
Coordinates with IT and treatment staff to maintain OT system functionality and cybersecurity best practices.
Assists with OT system troubleshooting and supports recovery planning and implementation.
Supports emergency response efforts related to treatment operations, including contamination events and natural disasters.
Participates in training exercises, incident planning, and coordination with emergency management staff.
Assists in monitoring infrastructure condition and supporting capital improvement initiatives.
Provides input on treatment system needs, upgrades and coordinates with engineering staff on project implementation.
Prepares regulatory and internal reports as directed.
Helps develop and maintain treatment records, SOPs, assest management, and performance logs.
Assists with vendor coordination, contracts, and procurement activities related to treatment operations.
Recommend budget requests, and assist in planning of Operational and CIP budget.
Establishes effective relationships with employees, other departments, the public, and external agencies.
Supports City Council, Departmental and Divisional goals.
Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.
Develops and/or participates in the development of staff work plans, measures and tracks progress towards goals, prepares and conducts timely and constructive performance appraisals.
Makes decisions or recommendations for hiring, promotions, transfers, disciplinary action, and other personnel actions as necessary.
Coaches, counsels and supports staff to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
Consistently educates and advises staff on organizational rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Supports creative thinking and problem solving and encourages participatory decision making when appropriate.
Provides training and job enrichment opportunities and encourages professional growth and development.