Water Treatment Supervisor

Water Treatment Supervisor

City of Santa Cruz

$48.79 – $68.65 Hourly

$8,457.00 – $11,900.00 Monthly

$101,484.00 – $142,800.00 Annually 

The current vacancy is for Water Treatment Supervisor in the Water Department. Under general supervision, the Water Treatment Supervisor provides daily supervision and work direction for an assigned shift in the operation of the water treatment plant and related facilities, including assigning duties, providing training and assisting in the review of work performance of assigned personnel. Oversee the operation, inspection and maintenance of plant equipment and facilities including any adjusting necessary to maintain an efficient operation, and to meet regulatory requirements for drinking water.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Regular and Temporary Water Treatment Supervisor vacancies that may occur during the life of the list. The eligible list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director. 

Recruitment #26-079

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 07/16/26 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted.  To apply, submit: 

1. Application– online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
2. Response to supplemental questions– will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Week of 07/20 and 07/27/26: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 08/07/26.
• Week of 08/10 and/or 08/17/26: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.  

Basic Function

Under general supervision, the Water Treatment Supervisor provides daily supervision and work direction for an assigned shift in the operation of the water treatment plant and related facilities, including assigning duties, providing training and assisting in the review of work performance of assigned personnel. Oversee the operation, inspection and maintenance of plant equipment and facilities including any adjusting necessary to maintain an efficient operation, and to meet regulatory requirements for drinking water.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Water Treatment Supervisor is the entry-level, first-line supervisory classification in the Water Department Production Section. This classification is responsible for the direct supervision and operational oversight of assigned staff and is distinguished from the higher level of Water Treatment Supervisor IV/V – Chief Plant Operator in the latter has full supervisory responsibility for overseeing the Water Department Production Section. Incumbents in the Water Treatment Supervisor classification direct, coordinate and monitor the work of others in a working supervisory capacity and may be assigned to independently operate and/or supervise Water Treatment Plant operation and act as the Water Treatment Supervisor IV/V-Chief Plant Operator in their absence and may be designated as Chief Plant Operator with the State Water Resources Control Board. 

Typical Duties:

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Leads, directs and trains plant operators on an assigned shift in the safe and efficient performance of their duties.
• Supervision and performance management of assigned staff to include coaching, performance review, and mentoring and ensuring teamwork and collaboration. 
• Ensures compliance with applicable MOUs, City policies, procedures, and employment laws in the supervision of assigned staff.
• Plans, prioritizes, and reviews the work of staff assigned to treatment plant operations and maintenance activities.
• Learns and implements hazardous material regulations, safety rules and regulations; holds tailgate safety meetings for assigned shift.
• Monitors treatment plant performance to ensure regulatory requirements are being met.
• Coordinates and supports daily operational activities through the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of procedures and practices governing treatment plant operations and related support services.
• Maintains effective work procedures and effectively resolves on-the-job problems as they occur.
• Assists with and develops work schedules and shift assignments, assists with administration of technical and safety training, assists with employee selection, conducts performance evaluations of employees and resolves employee relations problems.
• Assists in the development and implementation of safety training and skills development programs for plant personnel; ensures compliance with safety rules and regulations.
• Monitors computer control systems, including SCADA, for accuracy and functionality and identifies security issues; evaluates work performed at water treatment facilities; takes corrective action when needed.
• Organizes, tracks, and manages chemical inventory to guarantee adequate inventory; administers associated contracts, and purchases chemicals, schedules or oversees the scheduling of deliveries and coordinates with plant activities, including capital program projects. 
• Assists in the development and implementation of operations plans and standard operating procedures.
• Communicates and coordinates plant operations with internal and external stakeholders, including distribution operations, water quality staff, and supervisory personnel.
• Utilizes MS Word and MS Excel to enter daily laboratory reads and operational data.
• May be called on during off-hours to assist with emergencies.
• In the rare occurrence of a major hazardous material spill, provides initial emergency response per Department safety procedures and provides proper cleaning up and disposing of small spills.
• Places on or takes offline, pumps, basins filters, clarifiers, storage tanks, and other related equipment.
• Inspects and monitors processes, troubleshoots and makes adjustments to maintain operations, arranges more extensive servicing, maintenance and repair as needed.
• Regulates pressures and flow rates, reads and accurately records information relating to plant performance.
• Completes and maintains records of shift activities.
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
• Independently composes correspondence and reports related to routine treatment operations; maintains and updates operational records; compiles and retrieves system data; and prepares spreadsheets and reports using software applications to generate customized information for staff and management.
• Manages chemical inventories, including ordering additional supply
• Supports implementation of Capital projects, including supporting design review, project scheduling, troubleshooting, coordination with production, and other tasks.
• Supports implementation of the City’s various Habitat Conservation Plans, specifically as they related to water production
• May oversee and support responsibilities for maintenance of buildings and grounds.
• May perform all duties of the plant operator classes as needed.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, climbing, crouching, crawling, balancing, twisting body motions, grasping, reaching, pushing, pulling, working overhead, making repetitive hand movement, distinguishing by touch and working with finger dexterity in the performance of daily duties. The position also requires talking, hearing, plus near and far and color vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment. The ability to lift, carry, and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 60 pounds is also required. The incumbent works indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions including wet, cold, and hot; the working environment has constant noise. Work can take place on slippery and uneven surfaces, around machinery with moving parts or stationery equipment, around moving objects or vehicles, on ladders or scaffolding, and below ground. The incumbent occasionally works in confined spaces. The incumbent may use chemicals, grease and oils that will expose the employee to fumes, dust, and risk of skin exposure; the work includes working with hands in water. The incumbent must be able to perform duties assigned while wearing respiratory and other personal protection equipment. The incumbent may be exposed to biohazards and/or electrical energy. The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to use power and noise producing tools and equipment and drive motorized vehicles. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience that provides the below knowledge, skills, and abilities with any required licenses is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications is to possess the equivalent of the following:

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or tested equivalent; and
• Four (4) years’ experience in the operation of a water treatment plant

Knowledge:

• Public health regulations relating to drinking water, including water works standards for treatment plant operation, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting requirements.
• Mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles related to treatment plant operation.
• Basic mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic principles.
• Current principles, practices, and regulations related to the treatment process of the assigned water treatment plant including standard quality tests.
• Operation and maintenance of pumps, motors, valves, metering control systems and chemical feed equipment.
• Instrumentation and basic lab equipment, like turbidity meters, chlorine residual analyzers, pH meters, jar test units, thermometers, and titration equipment, used in routine plant maintenance.
• Chemistry and mathematics as used in the operations of the plant.
• Repair, maintenance and adjustment procedures for water treatment plant equipment.
• Current State and Federal standards and requirements related to water treatment plant operation and maintenance.
• Current safety procedures pertaining to plant operations, including the techniques for handling and storing hazardous chemicals, and responding to and reporting chemical spills and other emergencies.
• Principles and practice of effective employee supervision.

Skills:

• Develop and coordinate work programs.
• Accurately perform mathematical calculations.
• Reading, interpreting and recording data accurately.
• Operating and adjusting treatment system equipment.
• Effective written and verbal communication Assign and adjust staffing schedules

Abilities:

• Train, assign, direct and review the work of others in a lead capacity.
• Conduct work and plant safety programs, including interpreting and explaining regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.
• Oversee complex principles, practices, techniques and regulations pertaining to plant operation.
• Perform complex and skilled operation and preventative maintenance functions related to water treatment plant equipment.
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices reflecting water treatment plant operations and make complex operational adjustments based on recorded data.
• Evaluate treatment plant performance and take appropriate action.
• Ability to make decisions in a fast-paced environment

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license upon appointment. 
• Incumbents are required to possess a Grade T4 Water Treatment Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board upon appointment. 
• Incumbents are required to obtain Grade T5 Water Treatment Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board within twenty-four (24) months from the date of appointment.
• Possession of basic first aid and CPR certification within 60 days of appointment and ability to maintain respiratory requirements. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays and overtime, including Lone Operator shifts, as assigned.
• Willingness to perform on call assignments.
• Must be clean shaven at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.
• Successful completion of training as a forklift operator within one year of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Supervisory or lead experience.
• Completion of a supervisory training program or related formal management training.
• SWRCB Water Distribution Operator Grade D3 certification
• Experience working for, or in coordination with, a California public water agency, special district, or municipal utility. Familiarity with public sector operations, including regulatory compliance, standard operating procedures, and working within a represented workforce and established policies, is highly desirable.

Career Ladder:

• Superintendent of Water Treatment and Production
• Water Treatment Supervisor IV/V(Chief-Plant-Operator)
• Water Treatment Supervisor
• Water Treatment Plant Operator-in-Training/I/II/III/IV

The City of Santa Cruz offers excellent benefits including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, long-term disability, an Employee Assistance Program, vacation time, sick time, and up to 13 paid holidays per year.  

City of Santa Cruz Human Resources Department 

809 Center St., Room 6, Santa Cruz, CA 95060  

(831) 420-5040 

HR@santacruzca.gov 

EOE/ADA