Water System Superintendent

Water Otter Job Board; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento County Water Agency seeks a Water System Superintendent to direct, manage, and coordinate the operations and maintenance of its water production and distribution systems. You will lead a team, oversee the budget, and liaise with divisions and outside agencies.

Candidates should have at least three years of full-time managerial experience in potable water systems serving 20,000+ connections and strong knowledge of water treatment, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time, paid managerial experience in the operation and maintenance of potable water systems serving at least 20,000 connections.
• The candidate must understand water treatment and distribution systems, safety rules, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise staff through subordinate managers and supervisors.
• Experience with budget preparation, cost control, and inter‑department coordination.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and coordinate the Water Supply Operations and Maintenance unit.
• Oversee operations and maintenance of water production and distribution systems.
• Coordinate with other divisions, outside agencies, and the public.
• Prepare and manage a complex budget and enforce safety and regulatory compliance.
• Provide leadership, training, and performance management.

Skills

Water system management

Budgeting

Supervision

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Job Description

The Position

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

10/30/26, 11/13/26 (final)

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.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

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

Employment Qualifications

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

Criminal History and Background Checks : 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 : Some positions in this class require the incumbent to be able to:

• 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 : Some positions in this class require the incumbents to:

• 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.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

At Sacramento County, we strive to provide benefit programs designed to meet our employees’ current and future needs and help them as they balance their careers and personal life. County of Sacramento employees have a variety of benefits available. These benefits include:

• Dental Insurance
• Vision Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Critical Illness
• Retiree Health Savings Plan (RHSP)
• Deferred Compensation

More information can be found on the Benefits website

TEMPORARY POSITIONS:

Most benefits do not apply to temporary positions.

VACATION:

Generally, vacation with pay begins at 10 days annually. With increase over a period of years, the maximum annual vacation with pay is 25 days.

HOLIDAYS:

14.5 holidays per year as recognized by the Board of Supervisors.

SICK LEAVE:

Equivalent to 15 days annually, unlimited accumulation.

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT:

Regular County employees may be eligible to receive Tuition Reimbursement. The costs for course tuition/registration fees and required books/supplies may be eligible for reimbursement. Tuition reimbursement amounts may vary depending upon union agreement.

RETIREMENT:

The County’s defined‑benefit pension plan is provided by the County Employees’ Retirement Law of 1937 and is managed by the Sacramento County Employees' Retirement System (SCERS) Board of Retirement. For more information, visit the SCERS website, http://www.scers.org

DENTAL INSURANCE:

For more information, visit the Benefits website

LIFE INSURANCE:

The County of Sacramento provides a basic life insurance benefit to all eligible employees at no cost. Additional coverage may be purchased through payroll deduction.

For more information, visit the Benefits website

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:

A deferred compensation program is available through the County 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. For more information, visit the Benefits website

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:

The County of Sacramento provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their eligible dependents. The EAP offers confidential, professional counseling services in areas such as:

• Legal Advice/Difficult Decisions
• Marriage or Family Relationships
• Financial or Credit Worries/Elder Care
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse

More information can be found on the Benefits website

WELLNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM:

The County will recognize and award time off to eligible employees who maintain an excellent attendance record.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT:

The County offers regular employees two separate Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's). These accounts allow employees to set money aside, on a pre‑tax basis via payroll deduction, to pay for medical, dental or dependent care expenses.

DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

Employees may set aside pre‑tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare or dependent care expenses that are necessary for the employee and/or spouse to continue working.

MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT:

The Medical Reimbursement Account allows pre‑tax dollars to be set aside to pay for out‑of‑pocket expenses that are not paid by insurance or reimbursed by any other benefit plan.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION:

In case of injury while on the job, each employee is protected under the Workers' Compensation laws of California.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: FAQs

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE:

Military veterans who have served during wartime shall be given preference in initial appointment to County service. Such preference shall apply, provided the veteran has first achieved a minimum passing score in the examination. The passing score of a veteran shall be annotated to indicate the veteran's score shall be regarded as 5 points or higher, OR 10 points higher for disabled veterans, only for the purpose of determining the three ranks along with which the veteran's name shall be certified. No score shall actually be changed and no new rank shall be created as a result of application of veteran's preference for certification purposes.

"Disabled Veteran" means any veteran who has served during wartime and, who, as of the final filing date for an examination is declared by the United States Veterans Administration or military service department to be 10% or more disabled as a result of his/her military service. Persons claiming eligibility for disabled veteran's preference must submit to the employment office, on or before the application deadline date, a certification from the United States Veterans Administration or a military service department, dated within 1 year, which certifies the present existence of a service related disability of 10% or more, or other acceptable proof of such disability as a result of his/her military service.

Persons claiming eligibility for veterans preference must submit a copy of Form DD 214 or other acceptable proof of veteran's status on or before the final filing date for the examination. For purpose of this rule "reserve" status does not constitute active duty.

SPECIAL SKILL QUALIFICATIONS (WHEN SPECIFIED ON THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT):

Persons who have special skills required by some (but not all) positions in a class may be certified ahead of others provided that:

• Such special skills are based on the duties and requirements of the positions and are in conformance with merit system and equal opportunity principles, and
• The certification of eligibles who possess special skills have been approved by the Civil Service Commission.

Closing Date/Time: 11/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific