Director of Field Operations

Applied Water Managemen•Hillsborough Township, NJ

5h•$150,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Field Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for NSU’s water and wastewater operations division, ensuring safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality operations across assigned facilities. This role oversees staffing, operational performance, training, maintenance coordination, regulatory compliance, and process improvement initiatives while supporting consistency and alignment across operating regions nationwide. The position partners closely with the VP of Operations to support operational priorities, resource planning, and continuous improvement initiatives across NSU’s national operations.

Requirements

Ability to travel nationwide as needed to support operational and client requirements.
Available for emergency situations.
15 Years’ experience in the water and wastewater industry.
15 Years of employee supervision/management.
Must be available to respond to operational emergencies and business needs outside normal working hours as necessary.
Valid driver’s license.
S3 Wastewater License required, S4 preferred in NJ and the ability to obtain additional state licenses as needed.
Ability to build a high-performance team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, empowerment, and vision.
Encourages the effective use of technology to improve facility operations.
Ability to react quickly to resolve various mechanical and biological process upsets.
Proficient in Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

Provide visible, hands-on leadership across regional teams; set expectations for safety, regulatory compliance, quality, and customer service.
Plan, organize, assign, direct, and review work of employees engaged in operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants, advanced water treatment facilities, and reclaimed water distribution/disposal facilities.
Establish an operating cadence (e.g., daily/weekly check-ins, performance reviews, quarterly business reviews) to track commitments, resolve blockers, and manage risk across facilities.
Oversee operation of facilities to meet applicable regulatory requirements and design criteria; drive process control methods that improve efficiency, reliability, and cost performance.
Set and manage regional operating plans within established budget limitations; forecast resource needs, approve priorities, and optimize utilization (people, contractors, equipment, materials).
Lead preventive maintenance and reliability initiatives, including coordination of emergency repairs, equipment replacement, root-cause analysis, and corrective action follow-through to maintain operational continuity and regulatory compliance.
Oversee work order planning, scheduling, procurement activities, and contractor performance to ensure operational, safety, and quality standards are met.
Review and comment on plans for construction, repair, or replacement of plant components; lead cross-functional decision-making to manage downtime, risk, and client impact.
Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and analytical tools/metrics; use data to prioritize improvements and communicate progress.
Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; provide concise executive updates, risks, and recommendations to the VP of Operations and senior stakeholders.
Implement, direct, and enforce safety and risk management programs; model safety leadership, conduct field leadership visits, and ensure corrective actions are completed and verified.
Be accountable for achieving state, federal, and local water/wastewater regulatory standards; lead regulatory readiness, audits, and corrective action plans.
Analyze and evaluate operations, maintenance, and support functions; standardize practices and process control with company standards across operations centers.
Lead training and professional development activities; mentor supervisors and high-potential talent; build succession plans and ensure role coverage.
Own talent processes for the field organization, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, performance management, and corrective action; ensure decisions are consistent with policies and applicable laws.
Demonstrate leadership by example and participative management; drive engagement, reinforce accountability, and recognize performance aligned to NSU values.
Serve as an escalation point for customer/client issues; influence outcomes through calm, solutions-oriented communication, and timely follow-up.
Participate in project startups, commissioning activities, and operational transitions for new and existing clients contracts.
Provide leadership during operational emergencies, including process upsets, equipment failures, and weather-related events, ensuring timely response, communication, regulatory compliance, and restoration of service.
Perform other duties as assigned.