Manager, Southern Operations

Aquarion Water Company•Greenwich, CT

2d•$124,000 - $154,500•Onsite

About The Position

Aquarion Water Authority (AWA), a locally governed, not-for-profit water authority serving more than 735,000 people in 60 Connecticut municipalities, is seeking an experienced manager to lead operational, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and improvement activities throughout its Southern Division. Reporting directly to the Vice President, CT Operations, the role oversees pump stations, storage tanks, surface water treatment facilities, and distribution systems, including facilities and systems in Greenwich and Darien. The manager ensures safe, reliable, and cost-effective water treatment and distribution while maintaining water quality and regulatory compliance. The position leads operational staff, oversees departmental budgets and capital projects, supports emergency response, and represents AWA with communities, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. It leads a team of 29 employees, including 25 union employees, and requires participation in a 24/7 management on-call rotation. This is a full-time, benefit-eligible, exempt salaried position based out of the Greenwich Water Treatment Plant. The stated schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The salary range is $124,000 to $154,500. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States immediately; AWA will not sponsor work authorization. Employment is contingent on successful pre-employment screenings, including drug screening where permitted by law. AWA is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination based on legally protected status.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or a related field.
Connecticut Class III Distribution Operator and/or Class IV Treatment Operator certification.
Prior management experience.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational demands.
Ability to understand organizational goals and objectives, work independently, and exercise sound judgment.
Excellent labor relations skills.
Ability to demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and effective decision-making under pressure in variable and complex operational and administrative situations.

Nice To Haves

At least ten years of progressive experience in a utility or water operations environment.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing operational teams and complex water utility infrastructure.
Prior experience managing a unionized workforce.
Strong labor relations and employee relations experience.
Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Direct the efficient and reliable operation, maintenance, protection, security, and appearance of water supply facilities, impoundments, watersheds, pumping and treatment facilities, booster and storage facilities, properties, pipelines, valves, hydrants, services, and related infrastructure.
Prepare or oversee preparation of departmental expense budgets and ensure adherence to them.
Oversee operation and maintenance of automated groundwater and surface water treatment facilities, distribution pumping and storage systems, and distribution piping systems throughout Greenwich and Darien.
Oversee meter installation, removal, repair, periodic testing, and reading schedules.
Direct or contribute to drinking water quality programs, including EPA/DPH monitoring, watershed surveys, cross-connection inspections and surveys, and the Partnership for Safe Drinking Water; assist with collecting, packaging, and shipping samples when needed.
Manage daily operations of two surface water treatment facilities and operation and maintenance of reservoir dams, spillways, intakes, and related infrastructure.
Establish efficient operating procedures and optimize treated water quality.
Ensure treatment facilities comply with applicable federal and state drinking water and environmental regulations and meet company treatment-operation and water-quality goals.
Review and approve accounts payable invoices for compliance with specifications.
Work with customer service daily to resolve customer complaints related to system operations.
Recommend capital improvements to the Vice President, CT Operations, and Engineering Department; implement capital projects under the manager's control and manage significant recurring capital projects.
Manage emergency response to system failures involving contractors or departmental emergency response crews.
Coordinate with regulatory agencies, research organizations, universities, water utilities, and other outside agencies regarding treatment operations and process optimization.
Serve as a liaison to towns served and participate in community and environmental affairs.
Stay current with and follow safety practices, company policies, industry guidelines, and regulations, and ensure subordinates do the same.
Remain on call and reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as part of the management on-call rotation.