Operations and Maintenance Manager

West County Wastewater • Richmond, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

West County Wastewater (WCW) is seeking an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager to join the Water Quality and Resource Recovery Department (WQ&RR). This role is crucial for enhancing and improving the coordination between WCW's operations and maintenance divisions. The O&M Manager will share oversight responsibilities with another O&M Manager, ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of services. The ideal candidate is experienced, innovative, collaborative, solutions-oriented, and knowledgeable in wastewater operations and maintenance principles, as well as relevant laws and regulations. Exceptional interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, and transparent communication are essential for managing and developing personnel and fostering positive interactions with other work groups and stakeholders. The position receives general guidance from the Director of Water Quality and Resource Recovery and supervises operations and maintenance supervisory staff, with indirect supervision of other operations and maintenance staff. WCW is undergoing a significant treatment plant upgrade, set for completion in 2026, making experience with process and equipment start-up and commissioning a plus.

Requirements

• Seven (7) years of experience operating and maintaining a wastewater treatment plant, with at least four (4) years of supervisory experience which include performance management duties
• Associate’s Degree (or equivalent work experience, training, and education) in environmental science, management, maintenance, chemistry, public administration, or a closely related field from an accredited college
• Possession and maintenance of one or more of the following certifications are required: Mechanical Technologist Grade III certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade III certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA), or Grade IV California Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board.
• For a candidate selected who does not hold the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Water Treatment Plant Operator (WWTO) Grade IV certificate, the last bullet directly below applies. A combination of CWEA (Grade III as noted below) and SWRCB WWTO certification will be considered in lieu of the Grade IV requirement as outlined in the 4th bullet below.
• Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade IV certification must be obtained before the completion of the probationary period.
• Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
• The incumbent must meet all provisions of WCW’s Driving Policy as a condition of continued employment.
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity
• Informing: Proactively obtaining and sharing information
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals
• Visionary Leadership: Taking a long-term view and building a shared vision with others; acting as a catalyst for organizational change
• Project Management: Ensuring that projects are on-time, on budget, and achieve their objectives
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Leveraging Technology: Applying technology for improvements in organizational efficiency and effectiveness

Nice To Haves

• Process and equipment start-up and commissioning experience
• Experience Managing Wet Weather Operations: Understanding the operational and maintenance impacts to the treatment plant of high flow events
• Experience with Regulatory Report Writing: Self-monitoring or other reports to Regulatory Agencies for example
• Experience managing contracts

Responsibilities

• Planning, managing, and overseeing a variety of projects and programs, and providing direction and oversight to the maintenance and operations divisions
• Identifying and implementing solutions to operational problems
• Managing the scheduling of continuing work programs and special projects of recycled water, wastewater treatment and resource recovery, sewer lift stations, and facility maintenance and repair activities
• Interpreting, explaining, and applying regulations, policies, and procedures
• Preparing clear and accurate reports, correspondence, policies, and other written materials
• Effectively communicating and managing frequently changing priorities
• Develops, directs, and implements the goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for each division
• Establishes and revises each division’s operational and maintenance programs and priorities
• Prepares, administers, and is responsible for each division’s budget, forecasts additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, and administers the approved budget
• Plans, organizes, administers, reviews, and evaluates the work of first-line supervisory, professional, technical, administrative, and operations and maintenance staff directly and through subordinate levels of supervision
• Identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, identifies resource needs, and reviews with appropriate management staff. Implements improvements
• Provides staff assistance to the Director of Water Quality and Resource Recovery, participates on various staff committees, and prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence
• Supervises the preparation and maintenance of related reports, records, and files and ensures the proper documentation of activities
• Coordinates assigned maintenance activities with those of other WCW divisions, contractors, outside agencies, and organizations
• Serve as technical advisor to division personnel on difficult or unusual problems
• Review and evaluate various types of operational and treatment plant process data, including but not limited to daily logs, records, and trends. Report and address any operational anomalies or inefficiencies
• Develops recommendations for long-term service plans, associated time schedules, and implementation strategies
• Recommends short-term objectives and prepares budget requests describing, quantifying, and otherwise justifying funding requests for personnel, services and supplies, routine operating capital equipment, facility needs, and special division projects
• Prepares and presents regular and special reports, information, and recommendations to the Director of Water Quality and Resource Recovery, General Manager, staff, and the Board of Directors on work program status
• Monitors operating and reporting status of divisional regulatory compliance activities, budget, service contract, registration and renewal of control systems, and service activity levels
• Coordinates divisional activities and resources in cooperation with other agencies during responses to emergency or disastrous events
• Makes employment recommendations and directs the training and evaluation of employees. Formally evaluates the performance of employees with a direct reporting relationship. Makes recommendations for formal commendation, discipline, and discharge actions involving division personnel
• Responds to inquiries from the public, customers, local officials, outside agencies, community organizations, and industry counterparts. Prepares analyses, reports, and recommendations
• Assumes responsibility for covering the work assignments of other managers or supervisors during short absences
• Participates in the activities of professional recycled water and wastewater treatment and resource recovery system maintenance and repair organizations on behalf of WCW
• Performs related duties as assigned

Benefits

• The work will have a direct impact on the agency’s ability to provide important public services
• Opportunity to manage a highly skilled and knowledgeable team
• Opportunity to manage complex projects that require attention to detail, time management skills, and the ability to stay focused and organized
• Opportunity to work with the fellow O&M Manager to define and memorialize the somewhat differing roles and responsibilities of the two positions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree