Water System Manager

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on: 5/21/26, 6/4/26 (final). Under general direction, the Water System Manager plans, organizes, leads, and oversees the operations, maintenance, repair and administration of water treatment, distribution and/or instrumentation and electrical sections; water resource and capital improvement planning; budget preparation, expenditure control and approval; personnel matters; public relations, customer service, related administrative duties and acts as regulatory agency liaison. Coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and the general public.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Methods, principles and practices of water distribution and treatment systems and storm water pumping stations, including electrical and process instrumentation and control systems
• Principles of chemistry and physics; laboratory practices and techniques used in the treatment of surface and ground water
• Principles of water utility organization, administration, and management; effective principles and practices of administration, budgeting, accounting, supervision, training, evaluation and personnel management; current principles and practices of risk management and safety procedures
• Safety principles, practices, and Cal-OSHA requirements involved in all aspects of water utility equipment usage, maintenance, operation and repair work
• Inspection, testing, calibration, maintenance and repair of process instrumentation and control equipment including SCADA systems
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications related to area of assignment
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to:

• Function as Chief Operator for assigned water treatment facilities T-1 thru T-5, or D-5 distribution systems
• Plan, assign and coordinate a comprehensive operations and maintenance program for assigned section
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff
• Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues
• Work independently, prioritize work, coordinate activities and meet critical deadlines
• Develop, monitor and interpret budgets and other financial documents
• Plan, manage, and complete complex work assignments
• Develop and maintain cooperative, effective working relationships with others
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Apply customer service skills, including the identification of customer needs and follow up to ensure customer commitments have been met
• Influence and persuade others to take a desired action and/or direction
• Interpret and summarize a variety of data and information
• Exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality of information
• Read and interpret plans, schematics, process control flow diagrams, and system/network drawings
• Read and interpret water quality laboratory results
• Read and interpret detailed drawings and wiring diagrams, plans, specifications and maps
• Perform original circuit design work as required to implement analog and computer equipment modifications
• Analyze and evaluate maintenance records to establish preventative maintenance schedules and spare part inventories
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications Either: 1a. Possession of a valid Water Distribution Operator Grade 5 (D5) certificate or Water Treatment Operator Grade 4 (T4) certificate or Water Treatment Operator Grade 5 (T5) certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board or California Department of Public Health. AND 1b. Two years of full-time, paid supervisory experience related to the construction, maintenance, repair and/or operation of a D4 water distribution or water supply system or higher; or in the operation and maintenance of a potable water treatment system that served at least 20,000 connections. Or: 2a. Two years of full-time, paid supervisory experience in the design and/or maintenance of process instrumentation and control equipment or electrical systems. AND 2b. An AA or AS degree, from an accredited college university or trade school related to instrumentation, computers, electrical, electronics, or other field closely related to the intent of the class. Note: Two additional years of full-time, paid experience in the design and/or maintenance of process instrumentation and control equipment or electrical systems may be substituted for the required education

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications Criminal History and Background Checks: The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained. The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act. License Requirement: A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, shall be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Compliance with California Code of Regulations: Positions in this class are required to comply with Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5144, Respiratory Protection (T-8 CCR, GISO, §5144), current County Policy regarding Respiratory Protective Equipment and any departmental policy and training regarding the proper use (clean shaven for proper tight fit of respirator), care and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. Certificate Requirement: Water Distribution Operator Grade 5 (D5) certificate: Some positions in this class require the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid Water Distribution Operator Grade 5 (D5) certificate issued by the State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Water Treatment Operator Grade 4 (T4) certificate: Some positions in this class require the incumbent to possess and maintain a valid Water Treatment Operator Grade 4 (T4) certificate issued by the State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Water Treatment Operator Grade 5 (T5) certificate: Some positions in this class require that the incumbent possess and maintain a Water Treatment Operator Grade 5 (T5) certificate issued by State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). If not initially required, some positions in this class may require an incumbent to obtain additional Water Distribution or Treatment certificates upon written notification. Time to obtain these certifications are in accordance with the California Drinking Water Operator Certification Program. Failure to obtain or maintain the required certificates may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining unit agreement. Physical Requirements: Some positions in this class require the incumbent to:

• Perform work while standing on a ladder, or on a platform elevated over 20 feet above ground.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Climb, stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch and reach above the shoulder.
• Demonstrate color vision sufficient to distinguish the colors on a computer screen that indicate equipment