S.C.A.D.A. Supervisor (Working Title)

Western Municipal Water District•Riverside, CA

18h

About The Position

Western Water is seeking a technically strong, people-centered supervisor to lead day-to-day field operations for its Automation & Electrical Services team. The position supervises staff and work involving the District’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, radio telemetry, process automation control systems, and process information networks supporting water and wastewater facilities. Under the direction of the Operations Field Manager - Automation & Electrical Services, the supervisor plans, coordinates, assigns, and inspects highly skilled work across the District’s automation and SCADA programs. The role serves as the automation team’s primary crew leader, accountable for technical outcomes and personnel development, and helps ensure the reliability, security, and availability of critical control infrastructure. The position combines field operations and technical system improvement with staff leadership, planning, documentation, and budget support. It maintains and improves SCADA and automation systems, supports communications and operational technology cybersecurity, and coordinates with IT/Cybersecurity staff, project managers, contractors, and vendors. The supervisor may lead emergency response and after-hours call team operations. The position may require work in both office and outdoor environments, including around moving mechanical parts and in confined spaces. Work may involve loud noise and exposure to weather, fumes, vapors, dust, sewage, hazardous chemicals, and potentially hazardous plants or animals. Employees may be required to wear respiratory and fall-protection equipment and may be assigned to a confined-space rescue team at Western Water’s discretion.

Requirements

Equivalent to an associate degree in public administration, business administration, engineering, electronics technology, automation, control systems, or a related field.
At least 6 years of experience in the operation and maintenance of a large, complex water distribution and treatment facility and wastewater collection and treatment systems.
At least 3 years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
A bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute for one year of experience.
A minimum of 10 years of equivalent training and experience in a related field may be substituted, as stated in the posting.
California Class C Driver’s License.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build professional partnerships and encourage collaboration.
Problem-solving skills and the ability to explain options and recommendations to management.
Ability to work resourcefully with minimal supervision and explain departmental processes and business requirements.
Leadership and presentation skills, including the ability to influence others professionally.
Working knowledge of industrial cybersecurity principles and operational technology best practices, including network segmentation, access controls, and patch management for ICS/SCADA systems.
Demonstrated ability to direct a technical field crew, mentor staff, coordinate project stakeholders, provide technical updates, and lead emergency response and after-hours call operations.
Ability to meet the position’s physical, mental, and environmental requirements, with reasonable accommodations as applicable. Respirator use, fit testing, fall protection, and confined-space rescue team service may be required.
Ability to speak, read, and write English; use math and computers as required; communicate and work on concurrent assignments under pressure and tight timeframes; and apply relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Nice To Haves

California Certified Electrician (General Electrician), Grade IV Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist, or CWEA certification.
Level I or higher ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST).
Grade IV Water/Wastewater Treatment, Water/Wastewater Distribution, Maintenance, Electrical, or Collections Certification.
Other professional development coursework, desirable based on job function and supervisor discretion.
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (also identified as a possible experience substitution).

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee day-to-day field operations involving SCADA systems, PLC programming, radio telemetry, process automation control systems, and process information networks.
Direct daily activities of the technical field crew, including assigning and scheduling work and providing performance feedback.
Provide field oversight and technical assistance for assigned department functions; inspect, operate, calibrate, and maintain related equipment.
Monitor and use the District’s SCADA system as required by department or call team roles.
Develop work schedules and methods to complete department work efficiently and on time.
Develop and maintain systems for tracking and reporting key performance indicators.
Assist with department operating and capital improvement budgets and monitor implementation of adopted budgets.
Coordinate and purchase department supplies and equipment.
Maintain timesheets, workload-planning records, and related documentation in accordance with District policy and applicable laws.
Use and maintain the Computerized Work Management System (CWMS); ensure work orders are accurately developed and completed.
Assist with standard operating procedure development and support short- and long-term planning, goals, and objectives.
Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on District SCADA and automation systems.
Program, design, and configure SCADA server software, including historian configuration and cybersecurity practices for industrial control environments.
Develop and maintain Human Machine Interface (HMI) and Operator Interface Terminal (OIT) applications.
Review and respond to hardware, communications, and application failures, and manage data recovery activities.
Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and modify variable frequency drives (VFDs), soft-starters, motor protection relays, power quality meters, and associated motor control equipment.
Assist with the design, installation, and modification of PLC programs; review and develop P&IDs.
Maintain, configure, and troubleshoot radio telemetry systems, including RTUs, antennas, repeaters, and communication pathways for remote monitoring and control.
Support industrial control Ethernet networks, modems, fiber optics, and other communications devices.
Configure and maintain Modbus, DNP3, and other industrial communication protocols.
Assist in implementing and maintaining SCADA and operational technology cybersecurity measures in coordination with IT/Cybersecurity staff.
Mentor and develop junior- and mid-level automation technicians.
Coordinate with project managers, contractors, and vendors to deliver automation projects on time and within budget.
Represent Automation & Electrical Services in cross-functional meetings and provide technical updates to operational management.
Lead emergency response activities and after-hours call team operations.