Director of Water and Thermal Systems

Hot Springs Association; California Hot Springs (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site housing

Job summary

Hot Springs Association in California operates a regenerative resort with 13 mineral pools and geothermal heating. We seek a capable, hands-on infrastructure leader to steward three integrated water and thermal systems and scale operations on-site.

You will serve as Operator of Record for the public water system (D1) and oversee wastewater, geothermal optimization, pumps, hydraulics, and automation. This is a leadership role with on-site housing in a rural mountain town.

Qualifications

• Certification: California D1 certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Mechanical mastery with pumps, hydraulics, and HVAC/heat pump systems.
• Ability to lead a small team and coordinate on-site operations.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Operator of Record for the public water system and oversee compliance.
• Lead geothermal heating and cooling optimization across guest units.
• Diagnose and repair pumps, hydraulics, and distribution networks.
• Plan infrastructure upgrades and mentor the water team.
• Provide on-call response for critical system events.

Skills

Mechanical Mastery

Leadership

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

California D1 certification

Tools

HVAC/Heat pump systems

Job description

About California Hot Springs

Dive Deeper Than Wellness… We’re in the process of bringing a reimagined vision of California Hot Springs to life! Our boutique resort and water temple is tucked into the rolling foothills of the Sierra Nevadas and surrounded by majestic Sequoia National Forest. Experience transformational healing from natural hot spring pools, rejuvenate with spa services, detox with our nourishing cuisine, and get inspired by regenerative design and ecological stewardship...all in service to sacred water.

Description

The Opportunity

We are building one of California’s most unique regenerative hot springs resorts. Our 13 mineral pools operate chemical-free through flow-through design, our largest pool is supported by advanced ozone and UV systems. Our campus includes geothermal heating for 50 guest units and the lodge, a small public water utility, wastewater treatment plant, and an expanding retreat center and residential village.

We are seeking a capable, hands-on infrastructure leader to steward and scale our integrated water and thermal systems.

This is not a corporate utility position. It is an opportunity to take ownership of a living, high-performance water ecosystem and grow with a mission-driven, expanding campus.

Authority & Reporting

This role reports directly to ownership and holds full operational authority over all water and thermal infrastructure systems on the property.

The Scope

This role oversees three integrated systems:

1. Small Public Water Utility (30 Connections)

• Serve as Operator of Record for the Class D public water system (D1 required).
• Management of artesian hot springs, distribution network and back-up public well.
• Oversight of storage, delivery, and regulatory sampling/reporting.
• Maintain full compliance and documentation transparency.

This is a stable system with no filtration plant and decades of operational history.

2. Wastewater Treatment & Evaporation Ponds

• Multi-stage system with aeration and recirculation.
• Inspection in accordance with SOPs, and preventative maintenance.
• Coordination with contracted certified wastewater operator.

Note: The contracted certified wastewater operator retains regulatory authority; this role oversees daily operations and coordination.

3. Resort Water & Thermal Systems

Aquatics

• 13 flow-through mineral pools.
• Ozone and UV system filtration for the largest pool.
• 2 Pump rooms, manifolds with automated temperature and flow control and circulation systems.

Thermal

• Geothermal heating infrastructure for guest units and lodge.
• Numerous heat pumps for cooling.
• Distribution loops, sensors, automation, and valves.

Infrastructure

• Diagnose and repair pumps, valves, hydraulics, and mechanical systems.
• Identify efficiency improvements and resilience upgrades.
• Participate in planning for resort expansion.

What This Role Is

• Primary guardian of water infrastructure.
• Mechanical systems problem-solver.
• Infrastructure leader for a growing campus.
• On-site authority for water and thermal operations.
• Long-term anchor for expansion.

What This Role Is Not

• A bureaucratic municipal utility job.
• A complex chemical filtration plant operation.

This is hands-on, mechanical, and strategic.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Operator of Record (D1) for the public water system.
• Oversee regulatory sampling and reporting (with staff and administrative support).
• Lead geothermal heating and cooling optimization.
• Maintain and troubleshoot pumps, repair pressure lines, maintain screens, heat systems, and hydraulic networks.
• Run preventative maintenance independently.
• Lead and mentor a small water team responsible for pool cleaning and maintenance.
• Participate in infrastructure planning as the campus expands.
• Provide on-call response for critical system events (on-site housing provided for this purpose).
• Manage equipment, processes (including lab outsourcing) and lead all efforts around reporting requirements.

Success in This Role Looks Like:

• 100% regulatory compliance.
• Consistent mineral pool clarity and flow.
• Improved thermal efficiency year-over-year.

Qualifications

• Certification: California D1 certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).
• Mechanical Mastery: Strong aptitude with pumps, hydraulics, and HVAC/heat pump systems.
• Problem Solver: Calm under pressure; able to troubleshoot unconventional systems.
• Organizational Master: The ability to prioritize, minimize downtime, triage, coordinate staff and resources on hand.
• Leadership: Experience guiding a small team with clarity and high standards.
• Lifestyle Fit: Comfortable living on-site as part of a community of land and water stewards in our small rural mountain town of exquisite beauty.

Bonus: Wastewater certification and/or Certified Pool Operator (CPO) experience.

Compensation & Lifestyle

• On-site housing included (equivalent to $20k-$30k annual value).
• Full access to world-class mineral hot springs.
• Long-term leadership growth opportunity as campus and residential village expand.

$75,000 - $90,000 per year

Location