Water Operations Supervisor

City of Tracy; Tracy (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully covered HMO Medical, Dental and

Vision coverage for employee + family

Generous vacation and sick leave

Life insurance

457(b) deferral with City match

Longevity pay

Job summary

City of Tracy is seeking a Water Operations Supervisor to lead the water treatment plant staff, oversee operations and maintenance, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. The role focuses on safety, efficiency, and reliable water service to the community.

The ideal candidate will oversee daily operations, manage staff, and collaborate with other departments and agencies to sustain high-quality service and long-term stability.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth grade and three years of journey level experience in a public water system.
• Two years of lead role experience in a similar setting.
• An associate degree in a related field is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, supervise, and review staff; train and evaluate performance.
• Coordinate services with other departments, contractors, and outside agencies.
• Participate in annual budget preparation; monitor expenditures and resource needs.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget administration

Water treatment operations

Regulatory compliance

Record keeping & reporting

Education

High school + water system experience

Associate degree desirable

Job description

Description

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: November 6, 2026 at 3:00 PM

In-Person Panel Interviews: Week of November 16

In-Person Selection Interviews: TBD

About The Opportunity

The ideal Water Operations Supervisor is an experienced and collaborative leader with strong technical knowledge of water treatment operations, regulatory compliance, and facility maintenance. They excel in supervising staff, coordinating daily operations, and ensuring safe and reliable water service to the community. The ideal candidate is organized, motivated, and proactive, demonstrating sound judgment and the ability to make effective decisions under pressure. They lead by example, promote teamwork, and consistently support operational efficiency, problem solving, and high-quality service delivery.

WHY CHOOSE CITY OF TRACY

• excellent pay
• 4% COLA increases
• work–life balance through a 9/80 schedule
• competitive benefits package includes fully covered HMO Medical, Dental and Vision for employee + family, generous vacation and sick leave, life insurance, optional 457(b) deferred compensation with a City match, and longevity pay.
• we proudly participate in CalPERS, with employees enrolled in either the 2% @ 55 or 2% @ 62 formula based on eligibility, with retirement calculated using a three-year final compensation average.

For a full overview of everything we offer, check out our Benefits section to learn more about the programs and support available to City of Tracy employees. Together, these benefits reflect our commitment to employee well-being, long-term stability, and rewarding career growth.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, and supervises the work of water treatment plant staff at the City’s water treatment plant; oversees the operation and maintenance of water treatment plant equipment and related facilities; ensures that water operations and maintenance functions meet all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies coordinates assigned activities with other City departments, contractors and outside agencies; and performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises direct and general supervision over assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full supervisory-level class in the Water Treatment Plant Operator series. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff and for providing technical support to management in an assigned service area. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. The Water Operations Supervisor is distinguished from the Water Operations Superintendent class in that the duties of the former are performed primarily in the field overseeing and supervising work crews and the latter has overall management responsibility for activities of a given division within the Department.

Essential and Marginal Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of assigned staff; trains staff in work procedures and safe work practices; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Participates in the development of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for assigned services and programs; recommends and implements policies and procedures including standard operating procedures for assigned operations.
• Monitors activities of the maintenance work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery and procedures; provides recommendations concerning process changes; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Coordinates assigned services and operations with those of other service areas, departments, outside agencies, and community groups.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; identifies and recommends future resource needs; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; monitors expenditures.
• Participates in the coordination of public water system maintenance projects; monitors supplies and equipment; orders supplies and tools as necessary; assist in the preparation of documents for equipment procurement; participates in the bid process for projects.
• Supervises the use and operation of tools, equipment, and vehicles; ensures that tools, equipment, and vehicles are safely operated, maintained, and secured when not in use; schedules service, repair, and replacement of tools, equipment, and vehicles.
• Coordinates the inspection of work in progress and completed work of contractors for accuracy, proper work methods and techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Supervises the preparation and maintenance of reports, records, and files; ensures the proper documentation of projects and activities.
• Collaborates and confers with property owners, developers, architects, engineers, and contractors and other City staff in acquiring information and coordinating efforts in matters of areas assigned; provides information regarding City policies, procedures, codes, and ordinances.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect public water system services; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and agencies; recommends corrective actions to resolve issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• Principles, practices, equipment, material and tools used in the operation, cleaning, and preventive maintenance of public water system including water treatment plant and equipment.
• The operation and preventive maintenance of piping systems, including pipes, valves, and related appurtenances.
• Standard chemical and physical tests of water and related materials.
• Principles and techniques of capital improvement construction, inspection, funding, and long‑term maintenance.
• Applicable Federal and State laws, City, department, and division regulations, codes, policies, and procedures related to the operations and maintenance of the public water system.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping, technical report writing, and preparation of correspondence.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Organize, implement, and direct public water system maintenance programs and activities.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solution.
• Coordinate the performance of the most difficult public water system maintenance duties.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, procedures, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate records and files of work performed.
• Make accurate arithmetic and financial computations.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with individuals; governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Equivalent to graduation from the twelfth (12th) grade and three (3) years of increasingly responsible journey level experience in a public water system including water treatment plant operations, including at least two (2) years in a lead role. An associate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field closely related and public sector experience is highly desirable.

Licenses And Certifications

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver’s License upon appointment.
• Possession and maintenance of a California SWRCB Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade IV certification is required at time of application.
• Possession and maintenance of a California SWRCB Water Treatment Plant Grade V is required within 24 months of appointment.
• Possession and maintenance of a California SWRCB Water Distribution Grade I certification is required within eighteen (18) months of appointment.
• Possession and maintenance of a California SWRCB Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester is highly desirable.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment; strength, stamina, and mobility to work in the field and perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; and vision to inspect and operate equipment. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment and in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Some positions may require working shifts and/or alternate schedules as needed.

Pre-employment Requirements

Prior to hire, candidates must successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may include a reference check, DOJ/FBI fingerprinting and physical exam.

RECRUITMENT ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations may be made for disabilities and religious convictions. Applicants requiring testing accommodations must submit the Request for Reasonable Accommodations Form to the Human Resources Analyst by phone or email prior to the test date.

DISCLAIMER

The City of Tracy is an equal opportunity employer. Equal employment opportunity applies to all aspects of personnel policy and practice, including recruitment, hiring, development, advancement, and treatment of employees, to the extent permitted by law.

The City of Tracy reserves the right to revise the examination plan described in this flyer at any time to better meet organizational needs.

The City of Tracy is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and financial security of our employees and their families. From medical coverage and retirement plans to wellness programs and professional development opportunities, our benefits reflect our commitment to a thriving workforce.

For a detailed summary of all available benefits, please visit the TMMBU Benefits Summary and the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Tracy and Tracy Mid-Managers Bargaining Unit.