Water Operations Supervisor (Production)

Mesa Water District (Mesa Water); Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex credits $2,400/month

CalPERS Retirement System

457b matching (up to 3.5%)

Education reimbursement

Training & development opportunities

Job summary

Mesa Water District in Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Water Operations Supervisor in Production. You will oversee two Senior Operators and two Operator I/II, directing maintenance, inspection, operation and repair of local groundwater production facilities.

Responsibilities include budgeting, safety compliance, CMMS reporting, and coordinating after-hours responses while developing staff and improving production processes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of potable water treatment and production facilities.
• Experience supervising technical staff in water production.
• Familiarity with safety, budgeting, and regulatory practices.

Responsibilities

• Supervise two Senior Operators and two Operator I/II.
• Oversee operation, maintenance, and repair of wells and treatment facilities.
• Coordinate emergency response and after-hours calls.
• Plan and monitor budgets, resources, and staffing.
• Ensure safety rules, policies, and standards are followed.
• Maintain CMMS work orders and prepare reports.
• Provide training and development for staff.

Skills

Professional & Technical Expertise

Mechanical Insight

Safety Focus

Decision Making

Innovation

Involving Others

Informing

Handling Stress

Managing Performance

Developing Others

Education

High school + technical training

Associate degree desirable

Tools

SCADA systems

CMMS

Job description

We are excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the Water Operations Supervisor in the Production section of the Water Operations Department. The Water Operations Supervisor in Production oversees two (2) Senior Operators and two (2) Operator I/II who expertly participate in the maintenance, inspection, operation and repair of the District's water production facilities.

Competency Profile

• Professional & Technical Expertise - Knowledgeable in potable water treatment and production facilities and associated electrical systems and equipment.
• Mechanical Insight - Understanding of how water production facilities work, how equipment interacts, and troubleshooting steps to take in order to diagnose issues.
• Safety Focus - Shows vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Decision Making - Uses facts, data and evidence in choosing the optimal course of action in a timely manner.
• Innovation - Ability to identify opportunities for improvement and think outside of the box.
• Involving Others - Actively seeks and encourages others to contribute their points of view, ideas, and suggestions.
• Informing - Stays informed and shares information with appropriate parties without being asked.
• Handling Stress - Maintains composure under pressure, challenge or adversity.
• Managing Performance - Ensures clarity of roles/responsibilities, sets individual performance goals that align with the Department and District.
• Developing Others - Supports others in stretching their capabilities and developing their career.

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

About Our District

Mesa Water is an independent, top-performing special district, located in Costa Mesa, California, which is just minutes away from the coast, and home to a vibrant community in the heart of Orange County, including top schools, businesses, restaurants, and landmarks such as Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OC Fair & Event Center, South Coast Plaza, and more. At Mesa Water, you’ll be part of an award-winning agency that provides 100% local and reliable groundwater to more than 110,000 residents and businesses throughout Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, and unincorporated areas of Orange County. Mesa Water is the only water district in the county to provide its community with water sourced entirely from local groundwater supplies.

An industry leader, and the most efficient water agency in Orange County, Mesa Water is known for its entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, forward-thinking business practices and technologies, and commitment to remarkable customer service. Employees are provided with an excellent benefits package offering $2,400/month in flex credits, participation in CalPERS Retirement System, a matching 457b plan (up to 3.5%), a generous education reimbursement program, and a wealth of training and professional development opportunities. To learn more, follow @MesaWater on Facebook, Instagram, and visit MesaWater.org.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from Assistant Water Operations Manager. Exercises direct supervision over functional supervisory and technical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a first-line supervisory level in the District that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized technical assistance and training to an assigned staff of water production, with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff. Incumbents supervise assigned personnel and direct day-to-day activities and are responsible for providing technical-level support to the Assistant Water Operations Manager in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines.

• Plans, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible repair of the District’s water production facilities and associated electrical systems, electronic equipment, and other supporting systems.
• Oversees the operation, treatment, maintenance, and repair of wells, reservoirs, treatment plants, and import stations to ensure facilities provide safe, reliable water supplies at the proper pressures and capacities; directs water system treatment operations based on lab test results, demands and other factors. Coordinates and responds to emergency distribution or production system maintenance, repair or response calls.
• Oversees after-hours and on-call staff response; notifies appropriate management staff, as needed.
• Tracks water use; participates in water system planning and supply forecasting; coordinates water use programs with other agencies.
• Implements changes to production system; directs and supervises new installations and changes to existing treatment and production facilities as well as SCADA system.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in the selection, training, and evaluation of assigned staff; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline procedures.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services; estimates job costs, materials, equipment, and staffing and resource needs; maintains inventory and allocates resources accordingly including assignment and scheduling of personnel, materials, and equipment for daily work projects.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned budget; monitors expenditures.
• Oversees and plans maintenance work through contracted companies for services and production facilities; ensures quality of work, compliance with city specifications and conformance with department plans and programs; ensures proper notification to the public of planned and unplanned outages through direct and CIS-based notifications.
• Operates the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to create work orders; maintains records concerning operations and programs; reviews and prepares reports on operations and activities including logs of repair records and related project paperwork.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of water production; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Maintains a variety of records, logs, and reports; ensures the timely completion of preventive and predictive maintenance programs; ensures administrative code and all regulatory material, procedures, and flow processes are updated and maintained.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• May serve as Chief Plant Operator and/or System Operator as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

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:

Education

Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade, supplemented by vocational or technical training in water utility science, water distribution infrastructure maintenance and repair practices, mechanical maintenance and repair practices, or construction inspection. An associate degree is desirable

Experience

Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation, maintenance, installation, and repair of water production equipment and systems, including one (1) year providing functional direction.

Certifications and Licenses

• Valid class “C” California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of Water Distribution Operator Grade D5 Certification issued by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possession of a Water Treatment Grade T2 Certificate issued by SWRCB.

Knowledge of

• Operations, materials, methods, techniques, and terminology used in activities related to the operation, construction, maintenance, installation, and repair of water production and storage infrastructure.
• Operational characteristics of water production systems.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices used in the maintenance and repair of electrical and electronic equipment and systems including control systems, SCADA system, instrumentation and electric motors.
• Water quality sampling and testing principles and practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Plumbing and hydraulic principles.
• Basic mathematical principles.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
• Principles of business and technical writing and report preparation.
• Records management principles and practices.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District 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, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

Ability To

• Coordinate and direct the operation, maintenance and repair of infrastructure and water production facilities.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for providing maintenance and repair services.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Read maps, drawings, and diagrams.
• Perform mathematical calculations including percentages, fractions, decimals, volumes, ratios, and spatial relationships.
• Safely drive and skillfully operate equipment and machinery requiring complex and rapid adjustments including a variety of hand and power tools.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• 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.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.