Chief Water Operator (20771433)

Menlo Park; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays and floating holidays

CalPERS retirement

Deferred compensation

Life insurance

Long term disability

Educational leave / tuition assistance

BayPass transit program

Transit allowance

On-site gym

Job summary

The City of Menlo Park is seeking a Chief Water Operator for the Public Works department. Under general direction, the Chief supervises staff and oversees the water distribution, maintenance, and quality programs to ensure safe and reliable water services for residents.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership, deep technical expertise in water systems, and the ability to plan capital projects, manage budgets, and coordinate with other departments and outside agencies.

Qualifications

• Two-year degree with major coursework in chemistry, biology, bacteriology, natural sciences or related field.
• Five years in water quality control, distribution, and/or treatment; two years in lead or supervisory roles.

Responsibilities

• Supervise staff in water distribution systems and facilities.
• Administer customer service field work, maintenance, lab testing and quality control, hydrant and valve programs.
• Monitor SCADA systems; analyze water quality data; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Assist with Capital Improvement Program projects and private developments; participate in budgeting and staffing decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Staff development

Communication

Education

Two-year degree in chemistry/biology/natural sciences

Tools

California Class C driver's license

AWWA Backflow Device Tester Certificate

SWRCB Grade III Water Distribution Operator

SWRCB Grade II Water Treatment Operator

Job description

Menlo Park is a city of beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods and active commercial districts. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to just approximately 32,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west. Menlo Park’s climate is moderate to warm, with an average of 265 sunny days a year.

Menlo Park’s residents reflect a range of backgrounds and interests who tend to be well educated and actively engaged in community life. Excellent public and private schools serve its many young families, while residents of all ages enjoy the City’s numerous parks and recreational facilities. The City’s close proximity to Stanford University and Menlo College provide a multitude of academic, cultural and athletic event opportunities. The arts and leisure activities of the major urban areas of San Francisco and San Jose are close by. These and many other amenities contribute to Menlo Park’s outstanding quality of life.

Located in the heart of Menlo Park is a downtown featuring unique and upscale shops, restaurants and entertainment, including the Guild Theatre. Set in a pleasant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere, Menlo Park’s downtown area attracts locals and visitors alike. Known worldwide as the “Capital of Venture Capital,” Menlo Park hosts many venture capital firms and is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and markets originating from the Silicon Valley. Additionally, the city is host to numerous technology and healthcare related companies, including such major employers as Meta (formerly Facebook), SRI International, Pacific Biosciences, Exponent, Grail and Personalis.

Menlo Park is a General Law city operating under the Council-Manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, as well as members of a variety of advisory commissions and committees. The municipal government is organized into six operating departments, including Administrative Services, City Manager's Office, Community Development, Library and Community Services, Police, and Public Works. The City is comprised of approximately 300 employees.

In addition to its many attributes, Menlo Park has one of the most beautiful civic center campuses in the Bay Area. Heritage trees, a running fountain, and a duck pond surround City Hall. The campus also includes a nine-acre park, recreation facilities, and the Menlo Park Library. These civic amenities make the campus a noted destination for residents, local employees, and visitors. Conveniently located, the campus is a short walk to our downtown area with food and shopping destinations, as well as the Menlo Park Caltrain Station.

The City of Menlo Park is seeking a Chief Water Operator for the Public Works department.Under general direction, the Chief Water Operator supervises, develops, and directs the work of staff performing difficult and complex technical and administrative support related to all programs and activities of the City’s water distribution division; assists with long-and short-term project planning and overseeing the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of water utility systems, facilities, and related appurtenances and other programs; works with technical and engineering staff to monitor and maintain water quality in accordance with State requirements; and coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies for services such as meter reading and repair.Incumbents are expected to independently perform the full range of water quality, maintenance and operations duties.Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Public Works Director - Maintenance in that the latter is a management classification and has management responsibility for citywide public works maintenance and operations.

A job description, including examples of typical job functions and qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities, is available by clicking on the Job Description link.

We are seeking a Chief Water Operator who is deeply committed to public service and dedicated to supporting the Menlo Park community. The ideal candidate will be an experienced water operator who demonstrates strong technical abilities, excellent leadership skills, and the capacity to supervise and support the water maintenance team.

This individual will be a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical skills, exceptional organization, and clear, effective communication. A customer-service mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to producing high-quality work are essential. The ideal candidate will exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism when supervising water maintenance staff and contractors related to water maintenance operations.

Key Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be able to independently and effectively perform the following duties:

Staff Supervision and Development

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff assigned to the water distribution systems and facilities.
• Trains staff in work and safety procedures and in the operation and use of equipment and supplies; implements procedures and standards.
• Performs the most complex water utilities maintenance and operations duties and provides technical assistance to crews.

Water Distribution Operations and Maintenance

• Administers customer service field work, maintenance, lab testing and quality control, cross-connection control, and hydrant and main line valve exercising programs.
• Ensures and coordinates the maintenance and repair of City water meters, water distribution main and lateral lines.
• Monitors contractors working with and around underground services to ensure the work is appropriately performed to code and does not damage, cover, or bury existing infrastructure such as meters and valves.
• Oversees and reviews City Fire Flow program.

Water Quality, System Monitoring, and Safety

• Monitors the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for operational efficiencies and effectiveness ensures SCADA is properly monitoring and serving water operations.
• Reviews water quality and operational data; analyzes and evaluates data results; implements findings and takes corrective action, as necessary.
• Inspects assigned City facilities and systems for safety violations; ensures that safety procedures are followed and that safety equipment is worn.

Capital Projects and Development Review

• Assists in the construction and field inspection processes for Capital Improvement Program projects and private developments to ensure contractors' and developers' compliance with City standards.
• Planning, Budgeting, and Performance Management
• Monitors operations and activities of the water distribution work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures.
• Determines and recommends equipment, materials, and staffing needs for assigned operations, projects and programs; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a completion of a two-year degree with major coursework in chemistry, biology, bacteriology, natural sciences or a related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water quality control, water distribution, and/or water treatment, including two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license by time of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Backflow Device Tester Certificate issued by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
• Possession of a valid Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possession of a valid Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the SWCRB may be required if treating water.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: City contribution up to $3,039 per monthtowards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or dependent care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 88 - 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
• Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34hours of floating holiday time per year;8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
• Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5times regular annual wage
• Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
• Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
• A City-paid BayPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park. This program offers employees unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card, including CalTrain.
• A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

For additional benefit information, visit www.menlopark.gov and review the City of Menlo Park and AFSCME Memorandum of Understanding.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal conviction history questionnaire, DOJ fingerprinting, and an Occuscreen background check.

Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States. The City will not sponsor applicants for work visas.