Water System Superintendent

Sacramento County, CA; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County Water Agency seeks a Water System Superintendent to direct and coordinate operations for water production and distribution. This role requires leadership of the Water Supply Operations and Maintenance unit, ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient service to the community.

You will manage budgets, oversee staff, and coordinate with agencies, departments, and the public, while upholding safety and regulatory standards across all operations.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time, paid managerial experience in the operation and maintenance of a potable water system that served at least 20,000 connections.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the Water Supply Operations and Maintenance unit.
• Direct the development and management of budgets for water production and distribution.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local water quality laws and regulations.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and training to staff; communicate clearly with stakeholders.

Skills

Water treatment operations

Water distribution systems

Regulatory compliance

Budgeting

Supervision

Leadership

Telemetry systems

Maintenance tracking software

Tools

Telemetry systems

Maintenance tracking software

Office software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases)

Job description

Under general direction, the Water System Superintendent directs, manages, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Water Supply Operations and Maintenance unit including the overall operations and maintenance of Sacramento County Water Agency’s water production and/or water distribution systems; and coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, outside agencies, and the general public.

Knowledge of

• Methods, principles, and practices involved in the operation and maintenance of domestic water treatment plants and water distribution systems
• Occupational hazards typically found at water treatment plants and water distribution systems and the CAL-OSHA requirements that govern them
• Principles and practices of management and organizational theory, including planning, organizational design, business finance, business development, project management, and organizational effectiveness
• Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and other specialized applications particularly computer maintenance tracking systems and telemetry
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to water quality and environmental issues
• Budget preparation and monitoring
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Ability to

• Organize, direct and implement a comprehensive water treatment program
• Plan, organize, and supervise the work of staff through subordinate managers and supervisors
• Direct the preparation of a complex and comprehensive budget and implement cost control activities
• Interpret and apply applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Direct the preparation of, analyze, and interpret water quality and other technical reports
• Exercise independent judgment in emergency situations
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints
• Use a computer and software including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation programs
• Develop, implement and enforce safety regulations and procedures

Minimum Qualifications

Three years of full-time, paid managerial experience in the operation and maintenance of a potable water system that served at least 20,000 connections.

Note: If the word “experience” is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements.

General Qualifications

The County may access criminal history information on candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for this class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies, and applicable federal and state laws. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate’s ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County may also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within this class. The background check may include personal and professional reference checks, credit history checks where authorized by Labor Code section 1024.5, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

License Requirement

A valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, shall be required at the time of appointment. Failure to obtain or maintain the appropriate California Driver License, or comply with state and federal requirements for utilization, may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by‑case basis.

Compliance with California Code of Regulations

Positions in this class are required to comply with Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, General Industry Safety Orders, Section 5144, Respiratory Protection (T-8 CCR, GISO, §5144), current County Policy regarding Respiratory Protective Equipment and any departmental policy and training regarding the proper use (clean shaven for proper tight fit of respirator), care and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment.

Certification Requirement

Incumbents may be required to obtain and maintain a valid Water Treatment Operator Grade 5 (T5) certificate and/or a Water Distribution Operator Grade 5 (D5) or lower grade treatment or distribution certification issued by the State of California, Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). Failure to maintain the required certificate may constitute cause for personnel action in accordance with Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining unit agreement.

Physical Requirements

• Climb, stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch and reach above the shoulder.
• Demonstrate color vision sufficient to distinguish the colors on a computer screen that indicate equipment status and conditions.
• Corrected vision sufficient to review plans and specifications.
• Enter maintenance holes and water distribution facilities with 24 inch diameter openings.
• Sit for up to two hours while driving a vehicle.
• Wear respiratory protection.

Individuals who do not meet these requirements due to disability will be reviewed on a case-by‑case basis.

Working Conditions

• Work around chemicals, dust, dirt, noise, and machinery.
• Work around hazardous materials such as; caustic soda, fluoride products, hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite, aluminum sulfate and other water treatment chemicals.
• Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement and very hot weather.
• Work at heights up to 150 feet above the ground on structures.
• Inspect enclosed areas where the temperature may exceed 100 degrees.
• Enter, exit and inspect work in enclosed and confined spaces.
• Work around High Voltage equipment
• Work various shift, overtime, weekends, holidays non‑routine hours, and be subject to “on‑call” status 24 hours a day.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is twelve (12) months.

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at [e-mail] or 916-874-7642, CA Relay 711. For more information, Reasonable Accommodation Requests - Job Applicant Instructions