State Operations Leader — Water Systems (NM)

California Water Service Group; Belen (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 164,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group invites you to lead New Mexico operations as Manager of State Operations, based in Rio Communities. You will oversee water and wastewater system operations, manage operating and capital budgets, and ensure regulatory compliance with state and federal requirements.

You will report to the Director, Subsidiary Operations. This role requires public leadership, cross-department coordination, and hands-on supervision of on-site field activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree highly desired 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 and/or wastewater utility in field operations, customer service, or related department.
• New Mexico Environment Department-Water Supply Level 2 certification required and must obtain a level 3 within 18 months; Level 4 highly desired.

Responsibilities

• Manages staff, including prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, overseeing training and development, and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations
• Oversees operations related to distribution, quantity and quality including maintenance and construction activities, all capital construction and activities, and resolving complex customer service issues
• Manages and oversees the States Operating Budget; prepares the Annual Operating Budget for all field activities
• Collaborate with Director, Subsidiary Operations and Engineering Capital Management to develop capital plan and ensure on-budget completion
• Performs duty of Chief Operator on a daily basis and performs shift operator duties as needed
• Ensures certified distribution operators, water treatment plant operators and wastewater treatment plant operators are trained to make decisions that affect water quality and quantity
• Develops, implements, interprets, and ensures compliance with complex rules and regulations via interaction with government agencies and regulators
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local government officials; acts as the Company representative in public forums or before the media
• Prepares written and oral reports for management, boards, agencies, civic organizations, councils and commissions
• Responds to water quality and environmental inquiries and participates in inspections with applicable agencies
• Participates in the GRC process and responds to information requests from PUC, departments, and interveners
• Ensures safety training compliance for employees
• Partner with Customer Service leadership to ensure customers receive high level of service
• Collaborates with Engineering, Water Quality, Environmental and Safety, Rates, and other departments
• Participates in community service organizations aligned with state-wide outreach plan
• Available for on-call duty as required
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Performs work on-site in the assigned office location
• Attends meetings and training directed by Senior Vice President of Operations, Director of Operations

Skills

Public speaking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

California Water Service Group invites you to lead New Mexico operations as Manager of State Operations, based in Rio Communities. You will oversee water and wastewater system operations, manage operating and capital budgets, and ensure regulatory compliance with state and federal requirements.

You will report to the Director, Subsidiary Operations. This role requires public leadership, cross-department coordination, and hands-on supervision of on-site field activities.