Collections System Supervisor

DUTIES SUMMARY 

Under general direction or supervision, to plan, schedule, supervise, and inspect the work of unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled staff engaged in the maintenance, repair, construction, installation and servicing of Department sanitary sewer collection systems; monitor, organize, schedule, and perform any necessary repairs/improvements to sanitary sewer systems; ensure compliance with the general waste discharge orders issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB); assist in the design, planning, scheduling, and construction management of projects; participate in the gathering and compiling of data and preparation and review of designs, plans, estimates, specification, and reports for the construction, alteration, and maintenance of the sanitary sewer collection system; and perform related work as required.

 DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

The Collections System Supervisor is the first line supervisory level in the Collections System Worker series. This single incumbent class provides supervision, training, and technical assistance to assigned collections system staff. Under the direction and general guidance of the Superintendent or Director, the incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing all operations and maintenance activities for the collections system and related facilities and equipment. Duties and responsibilities are broad in scope and are carried out with considerable independence within the framework of established policies, proce­dures, and regulations. Work and results are reviewed through conferences, inspec­tion, and analysis of records, reports, and daily performance, including the adequacy of assigned staff performance and quality of supervision. The work of this class involves significant accountability and independent decision-making responsibilities. The Supervisor may serve in the absence of the Collections System Superintendent.

 Examples of Duties

The following duties are typical essential duties for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all of these duties and/or may perform similar related duties not listed here:

•  Provide courteous and expeditious customer service to the general public and City and Department staff;
•  Routinely adhere to and maintain a positive attitude toward City and Department goals;
•  Provide day-to day supervision, leadership, and work with assigned staff to ensure the proper, safe, and efficient operation of sewer collections system operations;
•  Provide technical assistance and advice to assigned sewer collections system staff;
•  Participate in the selection, training, and positive motivation of sewer collections system staff;
•  Train and direct staff in the use of specialized equipment and tools including combination high pressure/vacuum trucks and other power and hand tools, remote video inspection equipment, pumps, and rodding machines;
•  Establish and implement performance requirements and personal development targets for assigned staff;
•  Regularly monitor and report on employee performance and provide feedback for performance improvement and development; develop and submit on a timely basis employee performance evaluations that incorporate input from the Collections System Lead Worker(s);
•  Take corrective or disciplinary action, as approved by the Superintendent, Director, and/or Human Resources to address performance and deficiencies in accordance with the Department’s Personnel Rules, policies, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU);
•  Plan and oversee the operation/use of video inspection equipment to inventory and assess the Department’s sewer collections system and identify cleaning effectiveness, maintenance and repair needs, and problem conditions;
•  Reactively evaluate work completed by sewer collections system crews to ensure conformance with Department standards (“Quality Control”);
•  Proactively participate in and/or lead the dynamic review and revision of existing procedures and methods to provide assurance that the Department maintains high quality delivery of sewer maintenance service (“Quality Assurance”);
•  Plan, schedule, and direct complex sewer system reconstruction and/or cleaning projects;
•  Confer with and make reports to superiors on work programs or activities; compile information of past and current activities of sewer section crews;
•  Schedule the timely completion of preventive maintenance activities on the wastewater collections system;
•  Determine priorities between reported problems and scheduled work assignments;
•  Prepare estimates of staff, equipment, and materials required for project activities;
•  Maintain a thorough understanding of all aspects of the Sewer General Order and the approved Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP);
•  Maintain a thorough understanding of the California Integrated Water Quality System Project (CIWQS);
•  Train all staff in the SSMP and use of CIWQS and maintain a state of readiness to meet all elements required in the SSMP;
•  Assure timely responses to Sanitary System Overflows (SSOs), including after-hours on-call situations through effective management of an on-call calendar;
•  Respond to and investigate public inquiries and complaints and communicate with customers in accordance with the Department’s policies and/or procedures for dissemination of information; diagnose problems and determine appropriate course of action for remediation;
•  Investigate and accurately report on accidents, equipment failures, and emergency calls;
•  Supervise and manage Collections System Workers’ work schedules, including trainings, shift rotation, on-call, vacation, and/or sick leave coverage while minimizing the need for overtime;
•  Carry out the Department’s safety and housekeeping programs related to wastewater collections;
•  Prepare and maintain a variety of records, including recurring reports, time sheets, incident reports, maintenance requests, and daily operation reports;
•  Develop, implement, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and other manuals and documents;
•  Ensure proper preventive maintenance of equipment;
•  Review engineering plans and specifications for construction projects; attend design and construction meetings and meaningfully contribute comments and recommendations on projects as assigned;
•  Work in vaults and other confined spaces;
•  Monitor new trends, innovation, and developments in the field of sewer maintenance;
•  Operate vehicles and collections system equipment as necessary;
•  Coordinate activities with other Department divisions and sections, City departments, and with outside agencies;
•  Provide job related technical assistance to other Department divisions and sections; serve as a resource for the Department;
•  Assist in the final inspection of existing or newly constructed sewer lines;
•  Order and maintain an adequate inventory of parts, tools, materials, equipment, and supplies;
•  Prepare and maintain a variety of records, logs, and reports;
•  Assist the Collections System Superintendent in long-range planning of sewer collections system tasks or projects;
•  Assist the Collections System Superintendent in development of the budget;
•  Enter data onto computerized maintenance programs or databases, or perform other basic computer- based functions;
•  May fill in for the Superintendent in his/her absence, as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS 

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

  Knowledge of:

•    Federal, state, and local laws/regulations/ordinances/codes applicable to the assigned areas of responsibility;
•    Basic supervision including appropriate laws and regulations including, but not limited to, FLSA, EEO, ADA, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and    working conditions; 
•    Methods, techniques, tools, and equipment common to collections system maintenance, repairs, and construction;
•    Light, medium, and heavy-duty motorized equipment including water trucks, vactors, backhoes, skip loaders, forklifts, and portable sewer cleaning equipment;
•    Traffic control practices and requirements;
•    Basic trenching and shoring methods and techniques;
•    Basic pipe materials, fittings, pipefitting tools, and methods;
•    Ordinances, codes, procedures, and practices regarding areas of assignment;
•    Safety policies and safe work practices relative to the assigned work;
•    Hazardous materials collection and disposal;
•    Automated and GIS systems for wastewater collection;
•    Sewer line videoing and analyzing techniques;
•    Basic design and operations of the Department’s collection and transmission systems;
•   Practices and techniques of sewer inspection and evaluation utilizing sewer video equipment and Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) protocol.

  Ability to:

•    Plan, organize, supervise, direct, train, and evaluate the work performed by Collections System Workers;
•    Analyze and troubleshoot complex sewer maintenance problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action;
•    Participate in the development and implementation of work standards;
•    Exercise a high level of discretion and sound judgment related to work practices and methods;
•    Perform skilled tasks in the supervision of assigned crew and in the maintenance of wastewater collection mains and lines;
•    Operate tools and equipment common to wastewater collection system construction and maintenance;
•    Work under moderate to high stress conditions;
•    Estimate necessary equipment to complete assignments;
•    Establish and maintain effective working relationships all those encountered in the course of work;
•    Read and interpret plans, maps, layouts, piping sketches, and facility record drawings;
•    Operate automated and/or GIS systems for wastewater collections and understand outputs;
•    Analyze sewer line video results;
•    Interpret and apply Department policies;
•    Prepare clear and concise technical reports and documentation that is generally free of grammatical errors;
•    Understand, carry out, and/or convey oral and written instructions; read and write the English language at an intermediate level;
•    Read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at an intermediate to advanced level;
•    Read and understand moderately complex drawings, sketches, blueprints, and specifications;
•    Perform project management, including scheduling, change orders, and project close-out activities;
•    Perform construction inspection;
•    Conduct thorough investigations, organize data, and draw sound conclusions;
•    Review and comment on environmental documents;
•    Perform routine administrative work including scheduling, work orders, time sheet, recordkeeping, and related activities;
•    Functionally use computer hardware and software including Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and navigate the Internet;
•    Following basic training, functionally use the Department’s purchasing, work order management, GIS, and other software programs and applications;
•    Operate Department vehicles while observing legal and defensive driving practices;          
• Maintain a driving record which meets Vehicle Code Standards and is acceptable to the Department and its insurance carrier;
•  Respond to call-out or emergencies as required; handle emergency situations as directed.

Knowledge and Abilities

Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

  Knowledge of:

•    Federal, state, and local laws/regulations/ordinances/codes applicable to the assigned areas of responsibility;
•    Basic supervision including appropriate laws and regulations including, but not limited to, FLSA, EEO, ADA, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and   working conditions; 
•    Methods, techniques, tools, and equipment common to collections system maintenance, repairs, and construction;
•    Light, medium, and heavy-duty motorized equipment including water trucks, vactors, backhoes, skip loaders, forklifts, and portable sewer cleaning equipment;
•    Traffic control practices and requirements;
•    Basic trenching and shoring methods and techniques;
•    Basic pipe materials, fittings, pipefitting tools, and methods;
•    Ordinances, codes, procedures, and practices regarding areas of assignment;
•    Safety policies and safe work practices relative to the assigned work;
•    Hazardous materials collection and disposal;
•    Automated and GIS systems for wastewater collection;
•    Sewer line videoing and analyzing techniques;
•    Basic design and operations of the Department’s collection and transmission systems;
•    Practices and techniques of sewer inspection and evaluation utilizing sewer video equipment and Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) protocol.

  Ability to:

•    Plan, organize, supervise, direct, train, and evaluate the work performed by Collections System Workers;
•    Analyze and troubleshoot complex sewer maintenance problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action;
•    Participate in the development and implementation of work standards;
•    Exercise a high level of discretion and sound judgment related to work practices and methods;
•    Perform skilled tasks in the supervision of assigned crew and in the maintenance of wastewater collection mains and lines;
•    Operate tools and equipment common to wastewater collection system construction and maintenance;
•    Work under moderate to high stress conditions;
•    Estimate necessary equipment to complete assignments;
•    Establish and maintain effective working relationships all those encountered in the course of work;
•    Read and interpret plans, maps, layouts, piping sketches, and facility record drawings;
•    Operate automated and/or GIS systems for wastewater collections and understand outputs;
•    Analyze sewer line video results;
•    Interpret and apply Department policies;
•    Prepare clear and concise technical reports and documentation that is generally free of grammatical errors;
•    Understand, carry out, and/or convey oral and written instructions; read and write the English language at an intermediate level;
•    Read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at an intermediate to advanced level;
•    Read and understand moderately complex drawings, sketches, blueprints, and specifications;
• Perform project management, including scheduling, change orders, and project close-out activities;
• Perform construction inspection;
• Conduct thorough investigations, organize data, and draw sound conclusions;
• Review and comment on environmental documents;
• Perform routine administrative work including scheduling, work orders, time sheet, recordkeeping, and related activities;
• Functionally use computer hardware and software including Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and navigate the Internet;
• Following basic training, functionally use the Department’s purchasing, work order management, GIS, and other software programs and applications;
• Operate Department vehicles while observing legal and defensive driving practices;      
• Maintain a driving record which meets Vehicle Code Standards and is acceptable to the Department and its insurance carrier;
• Respond to call-out or emergencies as required; handle emergency situations as directed.

 Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 Education:    Graduation from high school, or equivalent,

 Experience:   Four (4) years of journey-level experience in the construction, inspections, maintenance, operation, or repair of sanitary sewers, storm drains, water distribution, or wastewater treatment facilities and at least two (2) of which were in a lead capacity or greater.

 Certificates:   A valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collection System Maintenance Grade I certificate is required at the time of application. Must submit a copy of the required CWEA Collection System Maintenance Grade I certificate at the time of application.

  A valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collection System Maintenance Grade II certificate is required within 18 months of appointment.

 A valid California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Collection System Maintenance Grade III certificate is required within 36 months of appointment.

 A valid CWEA Collection System Maintenance Grade IV certificate is highly desirable.

 For out of state applicants a valid certification equivalent to the CWEA Grade II is required at the time of application (equivalency to be determined on a case-by-case basis; the Department’s findings are final) and possession of a valid CWEA Grade III certificate is required within 24 months of appointment.

Necessary Special RequirementsPossession of a valid California Class “B” driver’s license with air brake and tank endorsements and valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate appropriate for the equipment to be operated is required at the time of application. For out of state applicants a valid driver’s license is required and a valid California Class “B” driver’s license must be obtained within ten (10) days of appointment (CA Vehicle Code 12505c). 

Possession of a valid California Class “A” driver’s license with airbrake and tank endorsements is highly desirable.

 An employee in this classification will be designated as a “key responder” and as such shall be required to respond to non-normal working hour emergency operational conditions.

 Must be clean shaven or have trimmed facial hair in order to properly use personal respirators and SCBA equipment. Must pass a respirator medical exam and be physically able to wear SCBA equipment. Must be able to work in enclosed spaces while wearing protective clothing and under extreme temperatures and hazardous environments.

Physical Tasks and Environmental CondiitionsWork is primarily performed in a field environment that is frequently loud and prolonged, in a variety of environmental and extreme weather conditions (both indoors and out), and in or near street traffic with significant exposure to hazardous drivers. Incumbents regularly work near moving mechanical parts, are exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, exposed to electrical hazards, heavy vibration, and in precarious places. Incumbents frequently work on slippery or uneven surfaces and work occasionally involves exposure to potential physical harm, infectious disease and hazardous chemicals including smoke, fumes or airborne particles, gas, untreated wastewater, dirt, dust, grease, oil, caustic chemicals, solvents, and toxic agents, and fumes in various states (gaseous, liquid, or solid). Incumbents need to be able to tolerate unpleasant odors (and take appropriate safety precautions), wet conditions, and uncomfortable climate conditions. Incumbents are regularly required to sit, walk, and stand on a variety of surfaces, use hands to finger, handle, feel, or operate objects, tools, and controls, use hands and arms at any height (including above the shoulder), perform repetitive movements of hand and/or wrists climb or balance on ladders or stairs, and traverse or stand on uneven surfaces. There is frequent need to stand, stoop, bend at the waist, walk, crawl, crouch, climb and perform other similar actions during the course of the workday. Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

 Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in a field setting in varying weather conditions, to operate various equipment, regularly lift and/or move in any direction materials and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds and to travel to various locations. Must be able to work in enclosed spaces while wearing protective clothing. Must be clean shaven or have trimmed facial and head hair to properly use personal respirators and self-contained breathing apparatus equipment. Must be able to see in the normal visual range with or without correction with both eyes and depth perception with vision sufficient to see colors, adjust focus, read small print, computer screens and other printed documents. Must be able to hear in the normal audio range with or without correction. Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Supplemental Information

CAREER LADDER

        From:        Collections System Supervisor

        TO:          Collections System Superintendent 

Salary: $8,483.56-$10,827.41 monthly

Apply online at: www.sbmwd.org

Recruitment opens 12/15/2025 at 8:00 a.m. and closes when the first 25 qualified applications are received or 1/11/2026, whichever occurs first.

EEO/ADA (909)453-6091