System Operations Manager (0941) – Water Supply Treatment Division - SFPUC (165491)
City and County of San Francisco
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) seeks a System Operations Manager for the Water Supply and Treatment Division. You will lead the Regional Water System operations, supervise SysOps personnel, and oversee facilities to ensure 24/7 service and regulatory compliance.
Ideal candidate will manage budgets, contracts, and staff to meet SFPUC objectives, while coordinating with partners and other divisions.
Qualifications
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND
- Experience: Four (4) years of verified managerial experience in the oversight of operations, engineering, or regulatory compliance of water treatment facilities, of which all must include supervisory experience; AND
- License/Certification: Possession of a State of California Grade V Water Treatment Operator Certificate or a California Professional Engineering license; AND
- Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Responsibilities
- Plan, organize, direct and control Water Supply and Treatment Division facility operations in coordination with other divisions and partners.
- Establish cooperative working relationships with department personnel, customers, and other agencies.
- Prepare and present communications; evaluate analyses, scheduling, resource deployment, and training for RWS operations.
Education
Job description
Location: 1000 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030
This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.
Application Opening Date: October 26, 2026
Application Filing Deadline: Application filing will be open at least through Monday, November 9, 2026, and will close any time thereafter
Recruitment ID: PBT-0941-165491/ RTF0165490-01108225
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.
We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.
We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.
To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site here.
The System Operations Manager at the Water Supply and Treatment Division manages the operations of the Regional Water System (RWS); directs, supervises and develops System Operations Section personnel; manages the maintenance of the Division’s water treatment, pumping, monitoring and control facilities; oversees administration of budgeting, contracting and personnel processes required to maintain the availability of adequate resources needed to assure continuity and quality of the vital services performed by the System Operations Section. This position has direct responsibility for the operation and maintenance of public drinking water facilities, which remain in service on a 24-hour-per-day/7-days-per-week basis.
- Manage the operations of Regional Water System (RWS): plan, organize, direct and control Water Supply and Treatment Division facility operations in coordination with other Water Enterprise operating Divisions, wholesale customer agencies and regional partners, to ensure the achievement of SFPUC objectives related to customer service, operational efficiency, RWS facilities stewardship and protection of the environment;
- Establish effective and cooperative working relationships with other department personnel, customers, and other agencies;
- Prepare and present effective communications; evaluate, plan for and monitor results of technical analyses, scheduling, resource deployment, communications, and training required for successful operation and maintenance of the RWS.
- Direct, Supervise and Develop RWS Operations Section (SysOps) Personnel: delegate and assign Section objectives and areas of responsibilities to subordinate staff;
- Provide the training and supervisorial oversight that staff need to succeed;
- Ensure staff have sufficient coaching and consultation through regular one-on-one sessions and timely and fair evaluation through formal performance reviews;
- Establish/interpret policies and ensure that they are understood and implemented; utilize the hiring process to ensure adequate staffing and smooth succession;
- Utilize the disciplinary process to enforce work standards; utilize contracting processes to supplement the Section’s labor force and skillset as needed.
- Manage the Maintenance of System Operations Facilities: direct all maintenance activities needed to ensure safe, reliable, compliant and efficient functioning of System Operations facilities – treatment plants, pump stations, the SCADA system and the interties;
- Coordinate with the Division’s Distribution, Maintenance, and Business Operations Sections to involve their resources in the maintenance of SysOps facilities as needed;
- Identify capital improvements needed for operational reliability, efficiency and regulatory compliance;
- Manage, Administer and Represent the Division and the SFPUC: administer budgets, contracts and personnel processes as required to sustain Section services;
- Assist in preparation and implementation of Division policies and procedures; serve temporarily in the Division Manager capacity as needed; and
- Represent SFPUC with high-level political officials, administrative officials, various department heads, as well as educational institutions regarding matters concerned with water treatment and purification.
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record and ability to exercise the following leadership competencies which are critical for success in the role.
- Adaptability: Adjusts, perseveres, and succeeds in meeting objectives despite rapidly shifting environment, demands, and resources. Reacts appropriately to changing conditions or priorities. Alters approaches to most effectively address different situations and people. Responds positively to tasks and situations outside of comfort zone
- Decision Making and Problem Solving: Takes ownership of problems and makes timely, responsible, transparent, and clear decisions. involves others in addressing problems and seeking solutions. Gathers relevant information and conducts appropriate analyses. Understands the impact of decisions.
- Innovation: Creates a thriving culture in which employees feel both safe and encouraged to explore new ideas and improve existing ones; develops new insights, questions conventional approaches, and encourages others to develop new ideas and innovations.
- Risk Management: Understands personal responsibility for managing risks and takes precaution in avoiding preventable risks. Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks seen as impacting the organization's achievement of strategic goals and objectives. Ensures self and others are following procedures that prevent avoidable operational, financial, legal, or health and safety risks.
- Strategic Planning: Formulates objectives and priorities, implements plans, and allocates resources to achieve the long‑term goals of the organization.
- Talent Management: Builds and develops a highly‑skilled workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited and provides resources and support to ensure that the workforce is able to meet current and future business needs.
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND
- Experience: Four (4) years of verified managerial experience in the oversight of operations, engineering, or regulatory compliance of water treatment facilities, of which all must include supervisory experience; AND
- License/Certification:
- Possession of a State of California Grade V Water Treatment Operator Certificate or a California Professional Engineering license; AND
- Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Additional qualifying experience performing professional-level managerial experience in the oversight of operations, engineering, or regulatory compliance of water treatment facilities, of which all must include supervisory experience may substitute the required education on a year-for-year basis. One (1) year (2000 hours) of additional qualifying experience will be considered equivalent to thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units.
Note: One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2000 hours. (2000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week.)
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The abilities to write technical and procedural directives as well as inter‑agency correspondence and to disseminate information effectively in presentations and trainings are critical to this position.
- Experience and proven ability to utilize technology to improve the function and reliability of treatment and conveyance systems is highly desirable.
- Experience providing oversight for water operations, engineering, and/or regulatory compliance for large (20 MGD or more) water treatment facilities.
- Experience managing large staff under various disciplines and backgrounds.
Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications.
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at How to Verify Education Requirements.
Experience claimed in self‑employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.
Verification of required valid licensure/certification typically must be a photocopy of the license/certificate including the name of the issuing agency as well as the name of the license/certificate holder, license/certificate number, and expiration date.
Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.
All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.
Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.
The normal Range A annual salary range $200,538 and $255,996. Appointment above the maximum of the normal range may be considered based on documented and substantiated recruitment and retention issues or exceptional skills. A special approval process is necessary for appointment above the normal salary range.
- Medical, Vision, Dental, and Life insurance
- Long-term disability plan; Flexible Spending Accounts
- Pension Plan; Retiree Healthcare; Deferred Compensation Program
- Paid Management Training Program; Wellness Program
- Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave; Management Leave
Learn More About The City’s Management Benefits.
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:
Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent a Behavioral Consistency Questionnaire (BCQ) Examination via electronic mail after the closing of this filing period. The BCQ Exam is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas required for the position. Applicants will be given a deadline to return the BCQ Exam. Those who do not respond by the established deadline will not be eligible to continue in the examination process and will not be added to eligibility list resulting from this process. All applicants’ responses to the BCQ Exam are subject to verification. The BCQ Exam component may include but not be limited to:
- Knowledge of operations of a regional water treatment and transmission system.
- Ability to effectively manage Chief Water Treatment Operators/Superintendents and develop staff.
- Understanding of operations, maintenance and repair of a large-scale (>20 MGD) water treatment facility.
- Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
A passing score must be achieved on the BCQ Exam in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list. Candidates will be placed on the eligible list in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.
The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make final hiring decisions.
A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.
The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of six (6) months, and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.
The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of the List. The hiring department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures prior to making final hiring decisions.
Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations. Clerical errors may be corrected by the posting the correction on the Department of Human Resources website at here.
The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is ‘abuse of discretion’ or ‘no rational basis’ for establishing the position description, the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.
- Information About The Hiring Process
- Conviction History
- Employee Benefits Overview
- Equal Employment Opportunity
- Disaster Service Worker
- ADA Accommodation
- Veterans Preference
- Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams
- Right to Work
- Copies of Application Documents
- Diversity Statement
The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.
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