Description

The City of West Sacramento is seeking an experienced and collaborative water utility professional to lead the operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of the City's water treatment and water distribution systems. Reporting to the Director of Public Works, Operations & Maintenance, the Water Treatment Plant Superintendent serves as a key member of the Department's management team and is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of high-quality drinking water to the community. This position oversees all aspects of water treatment plant operations, water quality monitoring, laboratory activities, regulatory compliance, preventive maintenance programs, capital improvement planning, and emergency response. This position is also responsible for overseeing the City’s water distribution system, including maintenance and upgrades. The Superintendent provides direct leadership to supervisory, technical, and operational staff while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and professional development.

As the City's designated Chief Operator, the Superintendent is responsible for maintaining compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local drinking water regulations, including requirements established by the State Water Resources Control Board and other regulatory agencies. The position serves as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, elected officials, and the public regarding water system operations and compliance matters. The ideal candidate is a technically proficient and forward-thinking leader with extensive experience in water treatment operations, regulatory compliance, staff development, and utility management. Successful candidates will possess strong communication skills, sound judgment, and the ability to balance operational needs, regulatory requirements, budget considerations, and long-term infrastructure planning.

This position plays a critical role in protecting public health, ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining system reliability, and supporting the City's commitment to providing exceptional water utility services.

Requirements

While all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following qualifications: Seven (7) or more years of progressively responsible experience in municipal water treatment operations.

• Three (3) or more years of management or supervisory experience overseeing water treatment, water quality, distribution operations, laboratory functions, or related utility programs.
• Possession of a California Grade T5 Water Treatment Operator Certificate.
• Possession of a California Grade D4 or higher Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• Experience overseeing treatment plant operations utilizing surface water, groundwater, advanced treatment processes, SCADA systems, automated controls, or related technologies.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, and submitting regulatory reports and maintaining compliance with State Water Resources Control Board and EPA drinking water requirements.
• Experience preparing and administering operating and capital budgets, managing contracts, and participating in capital improvement planning.
• Experience leading workforce development, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Strong knowledge of emergency response planning, incident management, and continuity of operations for critical utility infrastructure.
• Possession of a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, chemistry, biology, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

DEFINITION: The Water Treatment Plant Superintendent plans, organizes, and supervises the programs and activities of the City’s water treatment plants, water distribution system, storage reservoirs, and related facilities.  This is an “at-will” position that is appointed by and sits at the pleasure of the City Manager.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:  Receives direction from the Director of Public Works, Operations & Maintenance, or designee.  Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and supervisory staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:  This is a single, management-level position.  The incumbent reports to the Director of Public Works, Operations & Maintenance, or designee and has the responsibility for providing daily supervision to professional, technical, and supervisory staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Develops and implements department and division goals, objectives, policies, and priorities.
Prepares and administers division budget.
Plans, organizes, and directs the overall water treatment and water distribution operations.
Trains personnel in the proper operations of treatment plant equipment.
Supervises the performance of plant operations and laboratory tests.
Recommends equipment purchases.
Maintains an adequate inventory of parts and supplies of equipment.
Prepares and supervises a preventative maintenance program and the related recordkeeping.
Prepares reports on plant activities to state agencies, supervisors, and the public.
Responds to questions and requests concerning treatment plant facilities and processes.
Supervises, trains, motivates and evaluates employees.
Performs other related duties as required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skill.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.  A Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, applied sciences, public administration, business, or related field is highly desirable.

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water treatment, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:  Possession of a valid California driver license; possession of a valid Grade IV Water Treatment Operator Certification; possession of a valid Grade V Water Treatment Operator’s Certification as issued by the State Water Resources Control Board within eighteen (18) months of date of hire; possession of a Grade D4 or higher Water Distribution Operator Certification as issued by the State Water Resources Control Board. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:  Ability to wear and use SCBA units as regulated by CalOSHA.   Travel to attend a variety of meetings.   Shall serve as the City’s Chief Operator as stated in Title 22, Department of Public Health Drinking Water Program, Article I, 63750.25, and must be able to respond accordingly on a 24-hour basis.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Mobility to work in a standard office or water treatment plant environment; use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings.   On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist, and reach while performing office duties; mobility to occasionally traverse uneven terrain, periodically standing, stooping, bending, climbing, and kneeling to perform inspections; on occasion, may be required to work in exposure to weather. Manual dexterity to use standard office equipment and supplies and small tools and to manipulate both single sheets of paper and large document holders (manuals, binders, etc.); vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds such as files, manuals, or small tools and equipment for distances up to 50 feet.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:  Employees work in an office and water facilities environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; may work in confined spaces; may be exposed to hazardous materials and chemicals.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing department guidelines, policies, and procedures.

An applicant who qualifies for veterans’ preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans’ preference shall apply, and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans’ preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.

 An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). 

Please submit an application on the City of West Sacramento website. Closing Date: 7/24/2026 11:59 PM Pacific