ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 475,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

We are looking to hire a WATER OPERATIONS MANAGER, to join our OPERATIONS & WATER QUALITY Department.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes and directs the operation of the water treatment plants to manage water throughout the TMWA distribution system. The incumbent is responsible for establishing treatment plant budgets, plans staffing, strategic planning, emergency response activities and maintenance of all chemical feed systems. Areas of responsibility include water treatment operators, water treatment and distribution operators, and water treatment equipment specialists. The manager works closely with the Department Director, other members of Operations leadership, and various operations personnel to identify and schedule work priorities.

The position requires a technical knowledge of water treatment and distribution methods to provide strategic assessments of complex treatment and distribution scenarios; will make recommendations to improve treatment processes and increase system efficiencies and will provide high-level advice to the Department Director and operations leadership staff. The manager will also engage with other departments in a collaborative manner to help formulate operational solutions to any constraints.

The Water Operations Manager will be expected to work closely with all TMWA staff, consultants, project managers, contractors and other internal and external customers on a variety of construction and engineering projects that may impact operations. At the direction of the Director, and to support the Water Supervisor, will participate in the planning, design, project management, and construction management for facilities that either replace existing systems or are new additions to the existing treatment or distribution system. The manager will communicate information to treatment and maintenance staff and with operations leadership staff on a regular basis to educate staff members to coordinate successful integration of the new facilities and equipment into existing systems.

The incumbent is required to be part of the Water Treatment after hours emergency on-call staff and within a predetermined amount of time must be certified by the State of Nevada at a Grade IV level in both Treatment and Distribution. The Water Operations Manager will provide support for the Maintenance Supervisors and Managers and the Control Systems Engineering Supervisors and Managers. The Manager must work closely with the Water Quality Leadership to help maintain water quality compliance and will be required to have sufficient knowledge to provide meaningful direction for day-to-day water quality-related issues.

May serve as the Designated Certified Operator for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and provides direct supervision to the Operations staff when compiling treatment plant compliance reports.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
We believe that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor TMWA to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

• Establishes and maintains work standards for quality and quantity of work within area of responsibility with an emphasis on providing exceptional customer service and enhancing inter- and intradepartmental teamwork; develops and recommends improvements to workflow and internal procedures
• Interviews, hires, plans, organizes, supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination to address performance deficiencies in accordance with TMWA’s Administrative Instructions; provides leadership to staff to meet prescribed goals and objectives.
• Compiles treatment plant reports for compliance reports to local/State/EPA regulators.
• Directs the utilization of manpower, equipment and materials to ensure proper staffing and operations of the water treatment, production, and distribution operations.
• Provides input, advice, direction and technical support to direct reports, as well as to other departments, and assists in solving complex distribution system problems, and develops appropriate corrective actions.
• Recommends and implements improvements to treatment and distribution systems, processes and components, including technology enhancements, to provide benefits to TMWA operations.
• Must be a subject matter expert as it relates to all health department regulations and requirements. Will serve as one of the primary points of contact for health department regulations and compliance.
• Ensures the safety of operations personnel by promoting a safety conscious attitude and by providing relevant training.
• Oversees the water treatment chemical program to strategically coordinate for reliable supplies, establishes contracts and maintains an effective relationship with all appropriate chemical manufacturers.
• Responds to and manages the resolution of significant operational issues such as planned and unplanned shutdowns, chemical dosing, water quality issues and/or other emergency conditions.
• Expected to speak to Media on issues that relate to water operations.
• Works with Director to prepare the annual budget for the department; estimates staffing, equipment and supply needs based upon recent trends and planned activities; monitors expenditures after budget adoption; approves purchase requisitions.
• Assists in planning and coordinating capital projects associated with plant upgrades and modifications and assists in the coordination of placing in service or removal from service of vital components of the water treatment and distribution systems. Provides review and coordination of projects and construction activities, both internal and external, and ensures seamless transition of projects to operations.
• Ensures consistency and accountability for the Operator and Equipment Specialist apprenticeships
• Required to be on the Treatment On Call rotation to answer emergency callouts and provide leadership during emergency and non-emergency events (classified as a 24-hour supervisor)

Education & Training: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience in the water industry which would provide a comprehensive understanding of complex water treatment and distribution water systems.
Experience:  Five (5) years of progressive responsibility and experience in the operations and maintenance of water treatment and water distribution systems. Experience includes the demonstrated ability to successfully develop and lead a work team exhibiting safe, efficient and effective work practices. The candidate should have a technical background, through formal education or experience and training.

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

State of Nevada Grade IV Water Distribution Operator certification (D4) and Grade IV Water Treatment Operator certification (T4) are required and must be obtained within a predetermined period.

A valid Nevada (or California – depending on state of residency) Driver License at time of hire and continuing thereafter and ability to maintain insurability under TMWA’s vehicle insurance policy.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation during hire and periodically thereafter during employment.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

​​​​​​​TMWA is an equal opportunity employer. It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination.

All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8207.

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well-being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well-being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug-free workplace policy.