Water Operations Manager

National Rural Water Association; Washington; On-site; USD 87,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rich health insurance benefits

Online wellness resources platform

Vacation and holidays

Paid parental leave

401K matching

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

NW Natural Water is seeking a Water Operations Manager to oversee service delivery for Whidbey Island clients, administering operations, budgeting, and staffing to ensure safe, compliant water service.

This is a non-union, regular full-time exempt role based in Coupeville, WA. Requires five+ years in utility operation with WDM1, WTPO1, CCS; WDM2/WTPO2/CCS preferred. Base salary $86,674–$138,678 with full benefits. Deadline: 10/31/26. Includes health, retirement, and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of experience in covering all aspects of utility operation.
• Demonstrated experience providing leadership and direction for projects, initiatives, or teams, with or without formal supervisory responsibility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laws and regulations that apply to various governing agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of water and wastewater system operations, as applicable.
• Valid driver’s license (or obtain within 90 days if out-of-state), required certifications/endorsements, and satisfactory driving record.
• WDM 1 (Water Distribution Manager), WTPO (Water Treatment Plant Operator) 1, and CCS (Cross Connection Specialist) certifications required.
• WDM 2 (Water Distribution Manager), WTPO (Water Treatment Plant Operator) 2, and CCS (Cross Connection Specialist) certifications preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administer the operation of water distribution and water treatment for clients within department service area. Execute all contractual deliverables in the areas of field operations and management services.
• Manage client communications, including preparation of written status reports, email, phone, and in person meetings as required.
• Facilitate preparation of annual client budgets and midyear budget adjustments. Coordinate client budget approvals and manage service contracts to meet budgets.
• Maintain current knowledge and understanding in order to ensure strict compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations.
• Develop and manage operations team, including responsibility to hire in accordance with staffing plan, develop staff to effectively provide services, and to complete training and gain certifications in accordance with company policy.
• Conduct scheduled employee staffing performance evaluations within Company guidelines.
• Manage department budget through personnel utilization and other metrics.
• Comply with all Company policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
• Comply with Company Grooming and uniform policy.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budgeting

Regulatory knowledge

Water distribution management

Water treatment knowledge

Driver's license

Job description

Water Operations Manager

Non-Union Position; Up to 2 positions
WTR-Water Services Management Staff-King Water; Coupeville,Washington (US-WA)
Regular FT, Exempt

About NW Natural Water

NW Natural Water owns and operates water and wastewater utilities in communities throughout Washington, Arizona, California, Idaho, Oregon, and Texas. Since 2018, we have acquired more than 30 utilities and today serve more than 190,000 people via 76,000 connections.

About the Whidbey Island Team

Our Whidbey Island operations team plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable water service to residential, agricultural, and commercial customers throughout Whidbey Island and portions of Island, Skagit, and Snohomish counties. With a local presence dating back to 1991, our team is responsible for the operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of vital water infrastructure while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a direct impact on the communities you serve while working alongside a dedicated team, we’d love to hear from you.

Position Summary:

Administer client relationship and operations management responsibilities pertaining to service agreement scope fulfillment in the areas of system operation, utility management, and management of client relationships. Major areas of management include staffing, water systems compliance, budgeting, and revenue generation.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Administer the operation of water distribution and water treatment for clients within department service area. Execute all contractual deliverables in the areas of field operations and management services.
• Manage client communications, including preparation of written status reports, email, phone, and in person meetings as required.
• Facilitate preparation of annual client budgets and midyear budget adjustments. Coordinate client budget approvals and manage service contracts to meet budgets.
• Maintain current knowledge and understanding in order to ensure strict compliance with all federal and state rules and regulations.
• Develop and manage operations team, including responsibility to hire in accordance with staffing plan, develop staff to effectively provide services, and to complete training and gain certifications in accordance with company policy.
• Conduct scheduled employee staffing performance evaluations within Company guidelines.
• Manage department budget through personnel utilization and other metrics.
• Comply with all Company policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
• Comply with Company Grooming and uniform policy.

Qualifiers: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Qualifications:

• Five or more years of experience in covering all aspects of utility operation.
• Demonstrated experience providing leadership and direction for projects, initiatives, or teams, with or without formal supervisory responsibility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of laws and regulations that apply to various governing agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of water and wastewater system operations, as applicable.
• Valid driver’s license (or obtain within 90 days if out-of-state), required certifications/endorsements, and satisfactory driving record.
• WDM 1 (Water Distribution Manager), WTPO (Water Treatment Plant Operator) 1, and CCS (Cross Connection Specialist) certifications required.
• WDM 2 (Water Distribution Manager), WTPO (Water Treatment Plant Operator) 2, and CCS (Cross Connection Specialist) certifications preferred.

Working Conditions:

The working environment will vary from extreme outdoor conditions to indoor job duties. This position requires decision and leadership ability, at times in emergency situations. Safety procedures must always be followed. Employees may be exposed to hazardous materials, confined space, electrical components, and heavy equipment such as backhoes, dump trucks and sewer flushing vehicles. Employees must be in a physical condition that will allow personnel access into typical industrial processing plant facilities and equipment.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance –

• Accrue up to 15 Vacation Days annually
• 13 paid holidays
• 3 weeks paid parental leave

Financial –

• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

Base salary range: $86,674.00–$138,678.00 per year, depending on qualifications

Deadline:10/31/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural Water participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information

NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NW Natural Water does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural Water valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural Water HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural Water. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural Water as a result of the referral or through other means.