Operations Supervisor - Hydropower

To review all job details, benefits and to apply for the role: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbvmwd

Email questions to: jobs@sbvmwd.com

A first review of applications will occur on April 1, 2026 for all applications received prior to this date. Please submit your application as soon as possible to be considered for the first review. This recruitment may close at any time once a sufficient number of highly qualified applications are received.

Join our dynamic team at San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District and step into work that has visible impact every day. We combine operational excellence with a deeply collaborative approach, working across teams and disciplines to deliver a reliable, sustainable water supply that meets the changing needs of our region’s people and environment.

If you are the type of leader who is energized by purpose, brings steady judgment under pressure, and understands the best results come from strong teams. If you thrive in a culture built on innovation, collaboration, drive, and trustworthiness, this role is designed for you.

In this Operations Supervisor role, focused on our newly formed Hydropower division, you will lead a skilled field crew responsible for the day-to-day operations that keep water moving and power generating. Beyond overseeing the work, you will help define how we work together – fostering collaboration strengthening problem-solving and driving continuous improvement as we expand our hydropower program.

Success in this role requires both technical credibility and a deep commitment to people leadership. You will coach and develop Leads and Operators, champion a safety-first culture, and model clear, respectful communication in every interaction.

We are committed to maintaining a workplace where every employee is empowered to speak up, take ownership, and look out for one another. You will be supported by a team that values growth and continuous development – and that expects its leaders to actively invest in their people, strengthen connections to the work we do and each other, and cultivate a culture built on trust, accountability and shared success.

That same people-first, result-driven approach shapes how we operate across disciplines. In this role, you will partner closely with Water Operations and Mechanical/Maintenance Operations to strengthen system reliability, share expertise, and build team depth through intentional cross-training and coordinated coverage. We view collaboration not as an extra step, but as a force multiplier that elevates performance across the organization.

If you bring drive, a solution-based mindset, and a genuine commitment to developing people, you will help define not only what we achieve, but how we achieve it — strengthening both our results and our culture as we grow together.

If you are a leader who can align priorities, remove barriers, and help teams deliver a high standard of success consistently- we want to hear from you. The work you lead will reinforce reliable operations today while advancing a resilient water supply and healthy watershed for future generations. 

The Operations Supervisor reports to the Operations Superintendent-Water and Hydropower and directly supervises Lead Operators and Operators, with potential oversight of contractors, vendors, interns, and volunteers.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under general direction, the Operations Supervisor (Hydropower) plans, organizes, and leads the day-to-day field operations of our hydropower crews and facilities to ensure the reliable, safe, and compliant delivery of power while supporting the broader integration of water and power operations. This role provides comprehensive front-line supervisory responsibility including scheduling, performance management, and resource planning and exercises independent judgment within established policies to keep work moving efficiently and safely. While your primary home is the Hydropower team, you will collaborate closely with Water Operations and Mechanical/Maintenance Operations and will coordinate coverage, support emergency response, and participate in cross-training to strengthen overall operational readiness.

The Operations Supervisor reports to the Operations Superintendent-Water and Hydropower and directly supervises Lead Operators and Operators, with potential oversight of contractors, vendors, interns, and volunteers. 

Supplemental Information:

·        Position is FLSA Exempt (Not eligible for overtime)

·        Incumbent is At-Will

·        This position is expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate the needs of San Bernardino Valley, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

·        Successful candidates must be able to meet the recall timeframes as necessary to meet business needs.

·        Travel within the region is required; Agency provides vehicle for daily use, not for commuting purposes.

·        Successful candidate will be required to pass a background check, and medical screening, including a CA compliant drug test.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 Key duties (not all inclusive – see full job description):

• Lead and direct day-to-day field operations for the Hydropower team, including planning work, setting priorities, assigning staff, and ensuring proper coverage for operational needs and emergencies.
• Champion a safety-first culture by implementing and enforcing safety practices, conducting job hazard analyses and inspections, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Coach, train, and develop Leads and Operators; support onboarding; and promote cross-training and coordinated coverage with Water Operations and Mechanical/Maintenance.
• Monitor system performance using SCADA, operating logs, and field rounds; identify abnormal conditions; and direct safe, timely operational responses with accurate documentation.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external partners to manage facility access, operational changes, and hydropower switching/clearances in accordance with procedures.
• Oversee hydropower operations and maintenance coordination for turbines, generators, governors, hydraulic systems, protection systems, switchgear, plant controls, and associated conveyance facilities (including dams, diversions, intakes, flumes, pipelines, and penstocks).
• Plan and coordinate hydropower outages, startups, and return-to-service activities, ensuring tagging, documentation, verification checks, and safe execution.
• Support continuous improvement and operational readiness by maintaining SOPs, partnering on preventive maintenance/CMMS practices, participating in incident investigations and corrective actions, and supporting budgets, contracts, and performance reporting.

 QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

 Education:

High school diploma or GED required. College‑level coursework or technical training in water technology, mechanical/electrical systems, powerplant technology, or related field is highly desirable.

Experience:

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible operations or maintenance experience in hydropower, or related electrical utility operations, including at least two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity. Experience across multiple functional areas related to hydropower is highly desirable.

Licenses:

Must possess a valid California class “C” driver’s license upon hire and maintain throughout the duration of employment with the Agency.

  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Before you apply, please review the full Job Description at the link provided above to ensure you review the complete set of knowledge, skills, and abilities for this role. The summary below highlights examples of key knowledge, skills and abilities we are most focused on for an Operations Supervisor assigned to Hydropower:

• Hydropower technical expertise, including turbines, generators, governors, protective relays, switchgear, plant controls, and associated water conveyance systems (dams, diversions, intake structures, flumes, pipelines, penstocks, and auxiliary systems)
• Strong front-line leadership and people supervision skills, including work planning, scheduling, performance management, coaching, and training/development of staff
• Safety leadership and compliance mindset, including the ability to promote and sustain an active safety culture and apply field safety practices (LOTO, confined space, electrical safety/arc flash, heavy equipment)
• Operational judgment and situational awareness, including monitoring/response (SCADA, alarms, field conditions), diagnosing abnormal conditions, and directing safe corrective action
• Collaborative coordination skills, including aligning Hydropower work with Water Operations and Maintenance/Mechanical teams through cross-training, shared coverage, and priority setting
• Technical communication and influence, including delivering clear recommendations, presenting options to management, and producing well-written reports and documentation
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement capability, including analyzing complex operational issues, interpreting drawings/schematics, leading investigations/corrective actions, and driving practical improvements
• Professional, service-oriented approach, including building trusted working relationships with internal teams, contractors, vendors, partner agencies, and the public
• Adaptability and maturity, including the ability to navigate sensitive situations with tact, discretion, and sound judgment while staying focused on outcomes and accountability

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environment: Work is performed in confined spaces and an outdoor environment, where employees may be exposed to climatic conditions and where the noise level may be loud. 

Physical: Physical demands consist of sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; using hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and lifting and carrying moderately heavy objects up to 100 pounds and/or utilizing a hand dolly to move up to 160 pounds. Incumbent frequently works near moving mechanical parts, occasionally works in high, precarious places, and can be exposed to electrical hazards. Incumbent wears personal protective equipment (PPE), including protective footwear. Incumbent must have the stamina to work long hours and overtime, if assigned, and must be willing to work an irregular schedule, which may include weekends, holidays, evenings, and/or varying shifts.

Vision & Hearing: Incumbent must be able to see and hear in the normal range, with or without correction, and communicate verbally and in written form with, and must be able to be understood.

Mental: Primary functions require use of written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math/mathematical reasoning; perform work with changing or intensive deadlines, and may work on multiple concurrent tasks; work with interruptions, and interaction with District management, staff, elected officials, contractors, vendors, external agencies, members of the public and others encountered in the course of work.

To review all job details, benefits and to apply for the role: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbvmwd