24/7 Water Treatment Plant Operations Lead

GHD; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 94,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K plan

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Wellness reimbursement

Job summary

GHD is seeking a hands-on leader to run day-to-day operations at a 24/7 water treatment facility in Questa, New Mexico. You’ll manage both the operations and compliance teams, drive commissioning and troubleshooting, and treat the facility like a project with a schedule, budget, and performance bar each day.

With 10–15+ years in water/wastewater operations, you’ll lead a two-shift team, ensure regulatory discharge compliance, and own process performance from coagulation to filtration.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in water/wastewater treatment operations.
• Strong working knowledge of chemical water treatment processes — coagulation, lime softening, chemical precipitation, clarification, and filtration.
• Proven experience managing people and managing projects — you can run a team and a P&L-style operation at once.
• Commissioning experience on treatment facilities.
• Strong troubleshooting instincts — process, mechanical, and people problems alike.
• A genuine passion for water treatment and doing the work right.
• Operator's license strongly preferred.
• PE preferred, not required.
• OSHA 30 or similar safety certification a plus.
• Team-first mindset with the leadership presence to run a 24/7 operation

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the plant's operations team across 24/7, two-shift coverage.
• Oversee the compliance team and ensure the facility consistently meets discharge and regulatory requirements.
• Run the operation like a project — schedule, budget, resourcing, and performance all on you.
• Lead commissioning activities and troubleshoot process and equipment issues as they arise.
• Own day‑to‑day performance of chemical treatment processes, including coagulation, lime softening, chemical precipitation, clarification, and filtration.
• Build and mentor a strong, accountable team culture — this role needs a genuine team player, not just a boss.
• Partner with client and project leadership to keep the site running safely, compliantly, and efficiently

Skills

People management

Project management

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Water treatment knowledge

Job description

GHD is seeking a hands-on leader to run day-to-day operations at a 24/7 water treatment facility in Questa, New Mexico. You’ll manage both the operations and compliance teams, drive commissioning and troubleshooting, and treat the facility like a project with a schedule, budget, and performance bar each day.

With 10–15+ years in water/wastewater operations, you’ll lead a two-shift team, ensure regulatory discharge compliance, and own process performance from coagulation to filtration.