Operations Crew Chief, Domestic

Coachella Valley Water District; Palm Desert (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 134,000; Full time

Job summary

Coachella Valley Water District in Palm Desert, CA seeks an Operations Crew Chief, Domestic to supervise a crew responsible for the District’s domestic water system operations, including treatment, backflow, and cross-connection programs. The role focuses on planning, scheduling, and ensuring high-quality work within safety standards.

The position requires leadership experience in large water systems, appropriate certifications, and a valid CA driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in large water systems, cross connection controls, water treatment, or related fields; and/or one (1) year in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License; must be maintained throughout employment.
• Certifications may include Grade D3 Water Distribution, Backflow Tester, or other listed certificates; must be maintained throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of an assigned crew for production, construction, and maintenance of the District’s Domestic Water System.
• Ensures staff training in work procedures and monitors training effectiveness.
• Inspects job sites and reviews progress for quality, safety, and compliance with specs.
• Coordinates preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance with supervisory staff.
• Evaluates staff performance and conducts formal evaluations; counsels staff as needed.

Skills

Supervision

Leadership

Safety

Water systems

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Foundational Leadership Certificate

Job description

THIS POSITION IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A 3.6% COST OF LIVING INCREASE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2027

TITLE: Operations Crew Chief, Domestic

SRN S15: $8,592 - $11,996, Monthly, Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit: ASSET

DEPARTMENT: Operations

Section: Construction

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:

Reports to: Operations Supervisor, Domestic

Supervises the following positions: Technical and maintenance staff

DEFINITION

Under direction, plans, schedules, assigns, evaluates, and serves as a first line working supervisor over an assigned crew responsible for the production, construction, and maintenance of the District’s Domestic Water System; operational activities related to water treatment and disinfection facilities, coordinates backflow, meter, and valve maintenance programs along with facility locate, leak detection and cross connection programs; performs activities related to water treatment and disinfection; works closely with supervisory and/or management staff in planning, organizing and establishing work priorities; performs the more complex work assigned to the crew; and performs related work as required.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of an assigned crew providing production, construction, and maintenance of the District’s Domestic Water System, treatment and disinfection facilities, and provides backflow and cross connection services; ensures work performed meets quality standards and completed in a timely manner.
• Assumes responsibility for ensuring staff are properly trained in work procedures; observes employee work performance/skill sets and recommends appropriate training; monitors the effectiveness of training in meeting skill goals; participates in and provides input into, other personnel matters including grievances, disciplinary actions, and employee selection or promotions.
• Inspects job sites and reviews work in progress to ensure quality completion, compliance with specifications, and conformance to work procedures.
• Works with supervisory and management staff on the planning and implementation of preventive, corrective and predictive maintenance program; monitors maintenance operations to identify issues and schedule corrective maintenance.
• Assumes responsibility for evaluating employee performance; develops, prepares and delivers performance evaluations for assigned staff; confers with supervisor and manager on performance issues; within established authority, counsels employees, addresses and monitors performance issues and confers with supervisor on matters outside level of authority.
• Monitors activities of the work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate supervisory staff; implements improvements.
• Coordinates assigned services and operations with those of other District departments to ensure an integrated approach to mutual projects and services.
• Assists in the determination of the costs of materials and resources for jobs; monitors costs of assigned work projects and prepares information for supervisory/management staff.
• When assigned to oversight of contracted services, reviews work in progress to ensure quality completion, compliance with specifications and budgeted amounts; prepares reports for supervisor and/or manager.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries or refers to supervisor.
• Observes and complies with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols, and ensures that staff do the same.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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:

Education: Equivalent to a High School Diploma and Possession of, or required to obtain within 24 months of appointment, a Foundational Leadership Certificate; or a minimum of 12 credit hours/units of Supervision/Managerial/Leadership courses from a CVWD approved program.

Experience: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in large water systems, cross connection controls, water treatment, or related fields; and/or one (1) years' experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment;

AND:

Depending on assignment, possession of one or more of the following certifications:

• Grade D3 Water Distribution Operators Certificate, issued by the State Water Resource Control Board and a California State Class “A” Driver's license, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Grade D3 Water Distribution Operators Certificate and possession of a Backflow Tester Certificate issued by the County of Riverside, or the CA/NV American Water Works Association and possession of a Cross Connection Specialist certificate issued by the CA/NV American Water Works Association, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Grade 4 Water Distribution Operators Certificate, issued by the State Water Resource Control Board, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Grade D3 Water Distribution Operators Certificate; Possession of a Grade T2 Water Treatment Operators Certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board; and possession of a 40-hour HAZWOPER certification, or be obtained within 24 months of appointment and be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices related to the design, operation, construction, and maintenance of large water systems including distribution, treatment, disinfection, cross-connection, backflow, and laboratory processes.
• Job costing principles; orders parts for inventory and non-inventory.
• Methods and techniques of conducting site inspections.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of maintenance and repairs for a wide variety of vehicles and equipment relating to water lines and distribution, and water loss control.
• PH and calibration of pH pumps using caustic soda; inspection, maintenance, and repairs of Chlorine table feeder operations; pH and calibration of pH pumps; construction repairs for gate valves, fire hydrants, and pipeline projects.
• Domestic Water System, including wells, boosters, reservoirs, and hydro-systems.
• Distribution system design and hydraulics as well as water main and well disinfection.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Drinking water regulations.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• Operational characteristics, and the safe and proper use of, machinery, tools, equipment, and materials necessary to perform assigned duties.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Perform the most complex (if a working supervisor, add functional or occupational area)
• Prepare accurate cost estimates for operation, maintenance and repair projects.
• Read, understand and prepare plan specifications, working sketches, plat sheets, and blueprints.
• Recommend process and operational improvements and efficiencies in assigned areas.
• Complete job and work orders in a timely manner with high quality.
• Diagnose repairs needed on equipment of various types.
• Troubleshoot the chlorine tablet feeder and caustic skid when issues arise.
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.