Operations Manager

California Water Service; Gig Harbor (WA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group invites you to join Washington Water Service as an Operations Manager in Gig Harbor, WA, overseeing water system operations, maintenance, safety, and community engagement.

Required: Bachelor’s degree, 5+ years in management and in a water utility, plus licenses (Water Distribution Manager 3, Water Treatment Plant Operator 2, Cross‑Connection). 45‑minute radius residency.

Salary range is $102,700–$190,600; EOE; resume deadline Sunday, September 6, 2026.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in water industry or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in management or supervisory role.
• Minimum 5 years in a water utility operations environment.
• Washington State Water Distribution Manager 3 or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator 2 or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Washington State Cross-Connection Control Specialist.
• Must live within 45 minutes of the district.
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid Washington Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Leads and manages team, prioritizes work, conducts evaluations, training, and hiring decisions.
• Oversees distribution, maintenance, capital projects, budget, and customer service issues.
• Oversees wells, booster stations, reservoirs, treatment, sampling and testing.
• Manages water system operations including flushing, valves, and fire flow tests.
• Ensures operators are trained for water quality decisions (SCADA).
• Represents the company in public meetings and with local officials.
• Collaborates with internal departments and participates in continuous improvement.
• On-call duty as required and compliance with safety guidelines.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

California Water Service Group invites you to build a meaningful career with the third‑largest publicly traded water utility. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values-integrity, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship-and reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose‑driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

Washington Water Service

California Water Service Group invites you to build a meaningful career with the third‑largest publicly traded water utility. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values-integrity, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship-and reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose‑driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

The Operations Manager is responsible for managing the operation and maintenance activities of the water system including expense budgets, execution of the capital budget, supporting activities customer service, and SOX compliance. The Operations Manager must establish oneself as a leader in the community and acts as the designated Company official for public meetings or forums. This position will be located in Gig Harbor, WA.

Essential Functions

• Leads and manages team, including prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, oversee training and development, and making hiring, disciplinary and termination recommendations
• Oversees operations related to distribution, quantity, and quality including maintenance and construction activities, all capital construction and activities, budget development, monitoring expenditures, and resolving complex customer service issues
• Provides oversight to the operations and maintenance of well sites, system booster stations, reservoirs, treatment plants, compliance water sampling, and testing
• Provides oversight of the water system: flushing and valve operation program, water main, service, and meter repairs and replacement programs, and fire flow availability tests
• Ensures certified distribution and treatment operators are properly trained to make decisions that affect water quality and quantity using manual or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
• Responds to all water quality and environmental inquiries and issues; participates in inspections, adheres to Washington Water Statewide NPDES Permit and interacts with applicable agencies
• Schedules and modifies operations to meet Company, local goals and initiatives
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local government officials; acts as the Company representative in a public forum or before the media
• Exercise technical expertise in preparing written and oral reports
• Ensures that employees comply with all safety guidelines per Company policy
• Collaborates with Company's Customer Service, Engineering, Water Quality, Environmental and Safety, Rates, and other internal departments
• Participates in a community service organization consistent with district public outreach plan
• Participates in and supports the Company's Continuous Improvement program and projects
• Available for on‑call duty as required periodically
• Attends meetings and training as directed by Washington Water Service
• Performs work on site as assigned office location
• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and, or equivalent relevant water industry or field operations experience
• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in management or supervisory role
• Five years of experience working in a water utility in operations, or related field
• Washington State Water Distribution Manager 3 or the ability to obtain in 6 months
• Washington State Water Treatment Plant Operator 2 or the ability to obtain in 6 months
• Washington State Cross‑Connection Control Specialist
• Must live within 45 minutes of the district
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications
• Valid Washington Driver License

Salary Range: $102,700 - $190,600

Deadline to submit resume is Sunday, September 6, 2026.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class. The Company makes all employment decisions in a non‑discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.