Wastewater Technical Services Manager

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 79,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department seeks a Technical Services Manager to oversee process optimization and machine learning applications for a large wastewater utility. Ideal candidates will have strong process and data management experience and lead technical teams through challenging operational issues.

The role requires strategic thinking, practical troubleshooting, and the ability to develop and implement standards and procedures across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in STEM with four years of relevant experience incl. supervisory/management experience.
• ADEQ Grade 4 Wastewater or Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification may substitute for degree.
• Four years with Pima County in related wastewater roles with supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and manage activities of professional/technical personnel in wastewater process operations.
• Coordinate evaluations with city/county departments, utilities, firms and agencies.
• Analyze treatment processes for compliance with laws and guidelines.
• Develop process control policies and standards; write reports and proposals.
• Bargain budgets, ROI evaluations, monitor contracts and expenditures.
• Advise on wastewater design, process control, odor control, energy use and troubleshooting.
• Provide supervision and training to assigned personnel.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or environmental engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Rivet

plan-set-to-data system integration

Thermodynamics

Flow Dynamics

Systematic Process Optimization methods

metals and materials science

piping and support structures

3D design work

Job description

Job Description Summary

Department - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type

Classified

Job Classification

5305 - Wastewater Technical Services Manager

Salary Grade

16

Pay Range

• Hiring Range: $79,185 - $95,056 Annually
• Pay Range: $79,185 - $110,905 Annually

Range Explanation: Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

First review of applications will be on 08/21/2026.

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department is seeking candidates for a Technical Services Manager responsible for overseeing process optimization machine learning associated with the operation of a large wastewater utility. This is a technical role and ideal candidates should have process and data management experience, preferably with direct technical leadership experience and strong troubleshooting skills.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, and manages the activities of professional and technical personnel engaged in specialized wastewater process operations;
• Coordinates engineering evaluations and reviews activities with various city and County departments, private utilities and firms, and state or federal agencies;
• Analyzes and determines effectiveness of treatment processes and ensures RWRD’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations and guidelines;
• Develops wastewater process control policies, procedures and standards in conformance to local, state and federal laws and regulations;
• Develops process improvements, writes technical reports and white papers;
• Plans, reviews and prepares reports and proposals for new projects;
• Responds to public requests for information and resolves complaints;
• Develops departmental budget performs return on investment evaluations and monitors contracts and expenditures;
• Advises on all matters pertaining to wastewater design, process control, odor control, energy usage and systems troubleshooting;
• Trains, supervises and evaluates assigned personnel;
• May provide expert testimony in court cases involving permit appeals and ground water degradation issues;
• Develops general control narrative outlines and basic P&ID’s, evaluates existing control narratives for functionality and efficiency and revises control parameters as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree of Science from an accredited college or university with a major in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) discipline or a closely-related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND four years of experience in either water pollution control, project management, industrial facility operations and maintenance, engineering or water/wastewater industry technical consulting INCLUDING two years of supervisory or management experience.

(Possession of current Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 4 Wastewater or Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification may substitute for Bachelor’s degree)

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Or

Four years with Pima County as a Wastewater Technical Training Supervisor, Wastewater Operations & Maintenance Supervisor II, Wastewater Operations Manager, Wastewater Planning Manager, or related position as determined by the department head INCLUDING one year of supervisory experience.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's of science in mechanical or environmental engineering, or equivalent four-year engineering degree. (In-field professional engineering experience a plus.)
• Minimum two (2) years experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rivet, or plan-set-to-data system integration.
• Minimum two (2) years experience with applications involving Thermodynamics, Flow Dynamics, or Systematic Process Optimization methods.
• Minimum two (2) years experience with metals and materials science, piping and support structures, mechanical equipment selection, and 3D design work.
• Minimum two (2) years experience in program management, process management, or other engineering modeling software.

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates

Valid driver license is required at time of application.

Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items

The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems.

Physical/Sensory Requirements

All positions require sufficient body flexibility, mobility, stamina, and balance to allow for standing, walking, sitting, grasping and manipulation of work objects, frequent bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs/ladders; regular or occasional crawling, kneeling, squatting, lifting/ carrying objects up to 50 pounds, pushing and pulling objects up to 75 pounds, donning/doffing fall protection to work in confined spaces; interpreting written manuals, gauges, etc., including distinguishing various colors; comprehending voice communications in-person, over a radio/phone, and hearing operating equipment; operation of machinery and powered industrial equipment. Motion Activity - bending, kneeling, reaching; Motion Activity - grasping; Hearing Activity - on a radio, behind themselves, equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone, on a radio; Vision - operate a motor vehicle, distinguish colors, depth perception and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions

All positions require outdoor work, including during inclement and hot weather, and exposure to waterborne pathogens/agents, hazardous materials and gases, water hazards and wet/slippery surfaces, odors, fumes, humidity, dirt, dust, traffic hazards, venomous pests, uneven surfaces, and electric arc flash potential.

EEO Information

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.