Water Treatment Plant Project Manager

GHD; Questa (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a hands-on leader to run day-to-day operations at a 24/7 water treatment facility in Questa, NM. You''ll manage the operations and compliance teams, drive commissioning and troubleshooting, and treat the operation like a project with a schedule, a budget, and a bar to clear every single day.

With 10–15+ years in water/wastewater operations and strong process knowledge, you will lead a team across two shifts, ensuring regulatory compliance and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10–15+ years in water/wastewater operations.
• Deep knowledge of coagulation, lime softening, chemical precipitation, clarification, and filtration.
• Experience leading operations and compliance teams in 24/7 facilities.
• Ability to manage projects with schedules, budgets, and resourcing.
• Experience commissioning treatment facilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the plant's operations team across 24/7, two-shift coverage.
• Oversee the compliance team and ensure regulatory discharge requirements are met.
• Run the operation like a project — schedule, budget, resourcing, performance all on you.
• Lead commissioning activities and troubleshoot process and equipment issues.
• Own day-to-day performance of chemical treatment processes (coagulation, lime softening, etc.).
• Build and mentor a strong, accountable team culture.
• Partner with client and project leadership to keep the site safe, compliant, and efficient.

Skills

Water/wastewater operations

Team leadership

Project management

Troubleshooting

Commissioning experience

Education

Operator's license

PE license preferred

OSHA 30 certification a plus

Job description

Job Description

GHD is looking for a hands-on leader to run day-to-day operations at a 24/7 water treatment facility in Questa, New MexicoThis isn't a desk job. You'll manage the operations team and the compliance team, drive commissioning and troubleshooting, and treat the whole operation like a project with a schedule, a budget, and a bar to clear every single day.

GHD is looking for a hands-on leader to run day-to-day operations at a 24/7 water treatment facility in Questa, New MexicoThis isn't a desk job. You'll manage the operations team and the compliance team, drive commissioning and troubleshooting, and treat the whole operation like a project with a schedule, a budget, and a bar to clear every single day.

What You'll Do

• Manage and lead the plant's operations team across 24/7, two-shift coverage
• Oversee the compliance team and ensure the facility consistently meets discharge and regulatory requirements
• Run the operation like a project — schedule, budget, resourcing, and performance all on you
• Lead commissioning activities and troubleshoot process and equipment issues as they arise
• Own day-to-day performance of chemical treatment processes, including coagulation, lime softening, chemical precipitation, clarification, and filtration
• Build and mentor a strong, accountable team culture — this role needs a genuine team player, not just a boss
• Partner with client and project leadership to keep the site running safely, compliantly, and efficiently

What You Bring

• 10–15+ years of experience in water/wastewater treatment operations
• Strong working knowledge of chemical water treatment processes — coagulation, lime softening, chemical precipitation, clarification, and filtration
• Proven experience managing people and managing projects — you can run a team and a P&L-style operation at once
• Commissioning experience on treatment facilities
• Strong troubleshooting instincts — process, mechanical, and people problems alike
• A genuine passion for water treatment and doing the work right
• Operator's license strongly preferred
• PE preferred, not required
• OSHA 30 or similar safety certification a plus
• Team-first mindset with the leadership presence to run a 24/7 operation

Where

Questa, New Mexico — a legacy mine site treatment facility, part of a major long-term contract.

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.