Senior Utilities Operations Specialist - Water & Wastewater Leader

WaterWisePro; California; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading utilities management company is seeking a Senior Utilities Operations Specialist to focus on water and wastewater operations. This role is critical as these professionals ensure public health and environmental safety. The ideal candidate will work on various staffing opportunities, including temporary and permanent placements, within the utility sector. Join a team dedicated to excellence in service and community impact.

Job description

Senior Utilities Operations Specialist / TPUD

March 12, 2026

Location: Tahoe City, CA

Job Type: Full Time

Opening Date: 3/10/2026

(with first review of applicants on: 3/27/2026)

TCPUD is seeking a Senior Utilities Operations Specialist assigned to Underground to play a key leadership role in maintaining and operating the District’s water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure. This position is ideal for an experienced utilities professional who enjoys leading crews, solving complex field challenges, and protecting essential community services.

Working closely with the Utilities Superintendent – Underground, this role helps plan, coordinate, and oversee field operations while ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, and according to industry standards.

For a complete list of this position's essential functions and qualifications, please visit https://tcpud.org/jobs and select the position under "Full-Time Job Opportunities".

About the Job:

As a Senior Utilities Operations Specialist, you’ll help lead the day-to-day field operations that keep TCPUD’s underground utility systems functioning. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead field operations supporting the maintenance, repair, installation, and operation of the District’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Coordinate and prioritize projects with the Utilities Superintendent to ensure efficient scheduling of crews, equipment, and resources.
• Provide field leadership and oversight while working alongside crews performing underground utility maintenance, construction, and repair.
• Train and mentor staff, ensuring team members understand system operations, safety practices, and the proper use of specialized equipment.
• Respond to emergency calls and participate in the District’s on-call rotation, helping maintain reliable service during nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Collaborate with contractors, agencies, and other utilities on projects that affect TCPUD infrastructure.
• Review CCTV sewer inspections to assess system condition and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Investigate and resolve customer concerns related to water and wastewater services.
• Manage materials and equipment needs, including inventory tracking and supply requests.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, customers, and partner organizations.

Working at TCPUD means contributing to the health and sustainability of the Lake Tahoe community. Our team takes pride in maintaining critical infrastructure that protects public health and the environment.

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Take a leadership role in essential infrastructure operations
• Work with a skilled and dedicated utilities team
• Make a direct impact on the reliability of community services
• Build expertise in advanced water and wastewater system operations

Position Highlights

This position coordinates field work, supports crews, and performs duties related to the maintenance, construction, installation, repair, and customer service activities of TCPUD’s water distribution and wastewater collection underground facilities, as well as drinking water and wastewater pumping facilities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this positions will also have a combination of education and experience that would give them the necessary qualifications.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience performing journey level work in wastewater collection and/or water distribution comparable to that of a Utilities Operations Specialist III with the District, with an emphasis on area of assignment.

Certification & Licensing Requirements:

• Possession of appropriate and valid driver’s license and driving record that complies with District policy is required. Must obtain Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License or equivalent within six (6) months of appointment.
• Possession of a valid T2 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health.
• Possession of a valid D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health.
• Possession of a valid Grade III Collection System Maintenance Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association. Must obtain certificate within eighteen (18) months of appointment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

TCPUD offers a competitive salary and benefits package. The pay range for these two positions is $53.25 -$69.23 per hour.

Retirement: The District participates in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).

Deferred Compensation: The District participates in the CalPERS 457 Plan with a 2% contribution made by TCPUD.

Medical Insurance: The District currently provides and pays the full premium for employee plus qualified dependents for the CalPERS Gold PPO Plan.

Dental and Vision Insurance: The District currently provides and pays the full premium for a $1,500 annual dental benefit for employee plus qualified dependents and a $500 annual vision benefit for employee plus qualified dependents.

The duties listed above are examples of the work performed. A complete list of essential functions can be found by visiting https://tcpud.org/jobs and selecting the position under "Full-Time Job Opportunities".