Utility manager / Supervisor

Waicleanwater; Honolulu (HI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Waicleanwater seeks Utility Managers and Supervisors to oversee staff, budgets, and maintenance schedules for Hawaiʻi’s water and wastewater systems. You will coordinate emergency planning and public communication with engineers, operators, and officials to maintain service reliability and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in public administration or engineering, 5+ years in water/wastewater operations, and a track record in leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical or administrative field.
• 5+ years hands-on experience in water or wastewater operations.
• Leadership and project management training are highly valued.
• Professional licensure (PE) or operator certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee staff, budgets, maintenance schedules and emergency planning.
• Coordinate public communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure service reliability and environmental protection.
• Collaborate with engineers, operators, local government and contractors.
• Lead cross-departmental coordination for compliance and asset management.

Skills

Leadership

Team supervision

Project management

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Business

Tools

SCADA systems

utility management software

Job description

Utility Managers and Supervisors are essential to keeping Hawaiʻi’s water and wastewater systems operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. They oversee staff, budgets, maintenance schedules, emergency planning, and public communication for water distribution systems, wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and other utility infrastructure.

In Hawaiʻi, these roles often require a strong understanding of island-specific infrastructure challenges, including saltwater intrusion, aging systems, limited land availability, and culturally sensitive land use. Managers work closely with field operators, engineers, local government officials, contractors, and community members to ensure service reliability and environmental protection.

Education & Training

This position typically requires:

A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Business, or a related technical field.

Significant hands-on experience (often 5+ years) in water or wastewater operations.

Many managers are promoted from within after gaining experience and completing operator certifications (e.g., Grade III or IV certification in wastewater or water treatment/distribution).

Leadership and project management training is highly valued.

For larger or municipal systems, state licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Certified Operator may be required or preferred.

In Hawaiʻi, you can study at:

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Urban & Regional Planning programs.

University of Hawaiʻi - Community Colleges

Hawaiʻi Community College, Leeward CC, and others offer Water/Wastewater Operator and Business Administration coursework that supports career progression.

Offers continuing education, certification prep, and management training for utility staff.

Water and wastewater system operations, asset management, and maintenance,

Federal and Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) regulations and compliance reporting,

Budgeting, procurement, and utility rate-setting,

Emergency preparedness and disaster response planning,

SCADA systems and utility management software,

Cultural and environmental permitting processes specific to Hawaiʻi.

Skill in:

Supervising and mentoring technical teams,

Managing operations and maintenance schedules,

Preparing reports and documentation for regulatory agencies and funders,

Developing and implementing capital improvement plans,

Navigating customer relations and community engagement,

Identifying and addressing operational inefficiencies or compliance risks.

Ability to:

Balance technical, administrative, and community-facing responsibilities,

Respond to emergencies and infrastructure failures effectively,

Coordinate across departments and agencies,

Incorporate resilience, sustainability, and cultural values into utility planning,

Communicate clearly with staff, decision-makers, and the public.

UH Community Colleges often offer leadership courses and continuing education units (CEUs) applicable to this career path.