Program Manager (Water Plant Manager)

Vodafone; Kansas; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Wichita is seeking a Plant Manager for its new water treatment facility. This leadership role involves overseeing operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering safe drinking water to the community. Candidates should possess a BS degree and supervisory experience in utility settings.

Qualifications

• Must have a valid Kansas driver's license.
• Three years of supervisory experience in a utility or industrial plant setting.
• Kansas Class IV Water Supply System Operator certification required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee startup and operations of a new water treatment plant.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Supervise and evaluate shift supervisors.

Skills

Knowledge of federal and state regulations

Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations

Knowledge of engineering principles related to hydraulics and water treatment

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively

Education

Bachelor of Science (BS) degree or equivalent

Job description

The City of Wichita is NOT an E-Verify Employer.

Distinguishing Features of Work

Are you ready to take on a key leadership role in Wichita’s water utility operations? The City of Wichita is seeking a forward-thinking Plant Managerforthe Pumping and Production Division to oversee the successful startup and operations of a new, state-of-the-art water treatment plant. As the designated Operator in Responsible Charge, you’ll be at the helm of delivering safe, high-quality drinking water to over half a million residents. This leadership role offers a rare opportunity to be involved in the startup of the largest drinking water plant in Kansas, drive operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and continuous innovation in public utility services. You’ll supervise a skilled team, direct treatment operations, collaborate cross-divisionally, and represent the City in key strategic decisions—ensuring our community continues to thrive with reliable, safe drinking water. Your work matters here, and your expertise will be recognized, trusted, and valued.

Current Openings: Workdays and Hours - Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Bargaining Unit:Employee Council
**Posting may close at any time **

Examples of Work Performed

• Develops and maintains processes to assure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements.
• Directs treatment and testing procedures to maintain required water quality.
• Establishes policies and procedures and oversees all operations and maintenance of the water treatment plant and on-site pump station.
• Troubleshoots complex treatment problems associated with pH, solids level, mixing intensity, chemical dosage, and biological processes and directs appropriate corrective actions.
• Coordinates major plant activities to minimize disruption.
• Coordinates with Distribution division to ensure water quality and pressures are maintained.
• Develops budgets and controls expenditures.
• Determines most cost-effective means to accomplish projects and tasks.
• Plans, coordinates, and schedules projects in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Oversees contractor activity for complex projects.
• Oversee quality control and continuous improvement in the water plant, including responsibility for audits to ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
• Optimizes treatment and distribution systems through modeling and scenario planning.
• Implements safety programs and ensures conformance with safety regulations.
• Supervises and evaluates shift supervisors.
• Reviews and recommends additions or changes in personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials.
• Prepares specifications and requisitions for purchase of equipment, contractors, chemicals, and other supplies.

• Conducts research and provides consultative services as needed.

• Assumes responsibilities of the Water Production and Supply Division Manager in their absence.
• Monitors weather and forecasts daily water consumption and production requirements.

• The examples of work performed are not intended to be all-inclusive.

• The City of Wichita reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities as needed.

Requirements of Work

• Must have access to, and use of, a communication device, such as a phone, capable of communicating by voice, text and e-mail. Device will also have internet access. The city will pay the employee a phone allowance.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to producing and distributing safe drinking water
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of operating a large drinking water system
• Ability to analyze and make sound recommendations to resolve facility problems.
• Thorough knowledge of engineering principles related to hydraulics and water treatment.
• Knowledge of the functions and mechanics of pumps, chemical analyzers, and other equipment used in awater treatment plant
• Thorough knowledge of the principals of biology and chemistry as they relate to water treatment
• Knowledge of electronic instrumentation.
• Ability to understand, analyze, and utilize information from data from the Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and the Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Ability to monitor, evaluate and respond to SCADA information
• Knowledge of statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and budgeting.
• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to use a computer to access, interpret and record information, and to develop electronic spreadsheets involving complex mathematical and statistical operations.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to airborne environmental nuisances associated with open grounds, exposure to chemicals used in water treatment, exposure to adverse weather conditions, and equipment and machinery noise (with the use of earplugs).
• Ability to walk variable distances multiple times per shift and climb stairs and ladders and to bend, twist, push, pull and reach as necessary to evaluate equipment/instrumentation function
• Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, complex environmental regulations, and scientific studies.
• Ability to research, analyze, summarize, and report findings.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments and representatives of outside agencies
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to acquire and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license
• Ability to be available up to 24 hours per day to provide technical support for plant operations.
• An employee shall not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Required Experience and Training

Required Experience and Training

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree OR a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics), OR a bachelor’s degree in any field with five (5) years of experience working in a water utility.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience in a utility, utility plant, or industrial plant setting.
• A Kansas Class IV Water Supply System Operator certification or the equivalent certification from another state is required. A candidate with an equivalent out-of-state certification must obtain Kansas reciprocity within six (6) months of hire.
• A valid Kansas Driver’s license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship.

Preferred Experience and Training

• Master’s degree.
• Eight (8) years of supervisory experience in utility operations, utility plant management, or industrial plant settings.
• Experience in leading water utility capital projects, managing plant startups, and overseeing regulatory compliance audits.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following links:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/fmlaen.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf(Download PDF reader)
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/eppac.pdf(Download PDF reader)

Employer

City of Wichita

Address

455 N. Main

Wichita, Kansas, 67202

Phone

316-268-4531

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wichita