Chief Water Operator

Job Description

The City of Menlo Park is seeking a Chief Water Operator for the Public Works department. Under general direction, the Chief Water Operator supervises, develops, and directs the work of staff performing difficult and complex technical and administrative support related to all programs and activities of the City’s water distribution division; assists with long-and short-term project planning and overseeing the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of water utility systems, facilities, and related appurtenances and other programs; works with technical and engineering staff to monitor and maintain water quality in accordance with State requirements; and coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies for services such as meter reading and repair. Incumbents are expected to independently perform the full range of water quality, maintenance and operations duties. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative and discretion within established guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Assistant Public Works Director - Maintenance in that the latter is a management classification and has management responsibility for citywide public works maintenance and operations.

A job description, including examples of typical job functions and qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities, is available by clicking on the Job Description link.

Job Description URL:

https://docaccess.com/docviewer.html

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking a Chief Water Operator who is deeply committed to public service and dedicated to supporting the Menlo Park community. The ideal candidate will be an experienced water operator who demonstrates strong technical abilities, excellent leadership skills, and the capacity to supervise and support the water maintenance team.

This individual will be a proactive problem-solver with strong analytical skills, exceptional organization, and clear, effective communication. A customer-service mindset, attention to detail, and commitment to producing high-quality work are essential. The ideal candidate will exercise sound judgment, initiative, and professionalism when supervising water maintenance staff and contractors related to water maintenance operations.

Key Responsibilities

The ideal candidate will be able to independently and effectively perform the following duties:

Staff Supervision and Development

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff assigned to the water distribution systems and facilities.
• Trains staff in work and safety procedures and in the operation and use of equipment and supplies; implements procedures and standards.
• Performs the most complex water utilities maintenance and operations duties and provides technical assistance to crews.

Water Distribution Operations and Maintenance

• Administers customer service field work, maintenance, lab testing and quality control, cross-connection control, and hydrant and main line valve exercising programs.
• Ensures and coordinates the maintenance and repair of City water meters, water distribution main and lateral lines.
• Monitors contractors working with and around underground services to ensure the work is appropriately performed to code and does not damage, cover, or bury existing infrastructure such as meters and valves.
• Oversees and reviews City Fire Flow program.

Water Quality, System Monitoring, and Safety

• Monitors the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for operational efficiencies and effectiveness ensures SCADA is properly monitoring and serving water operations.
• Reviews water quality and operational data; analyzes and evaluates data results; implements findings and takes corrective action, as necessary.
• Inspects assigned City facilities and systems for safety violations; ensures that safety procedures are followed and that safety equipment is worn.

Capital Projects and Development Review

• Assists in the construction and field inspection processes for Capital Improvement Program projects and private developments to ensure contractors' and developers' compliance with City standards.
• Planning, Budgeting, and Performance Management
• Monitors operations and activities of the water distribution work unit; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures.
• Determines and recommends equipment, materials, and staffing needs for assigned operations, projects and programs; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to a completion of a two-year degree with major coursework in chemistry, biology, bacteriology, natural sciences or a related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water quality control, water distribution, and/or water treatment, including two (2) years of lead or supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license by time of appointment.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Backflow Device Tester Certificate issued by the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
• Possession of a valid Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possession of a valid Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the SWCRB may be required if treating water.

Benefits

The City offers an excellent benefit package consisting of:

• Health Insurance: City contribution up to $3,039 per month towards a Cafeteria Plan which can be used to purchase medical insurance and participate in a flexible spending account for health care and/or dependent care reimbursement
• Dental: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vision: City-paid coverage for employee and dependents
• Vacation: 88 - 176 hours of vacation leave accrual each year, depending on length of service
• Sick Leave: 96 hours of sick leave accrued each year
• Holidays: 11 official holidays; 34 hours of floating holiday time per year; 8 “Day of Reflection” hours per year in recognition of holidays of individual and community importance
• Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2.0% @ 60 formula. For all others, 2.0% @ 62 formula
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in City Plans.
• Life Insurance: City-paid policy equal to 1.5 times regular annual wage
• Long Term Disability: City-paid coverage
• Educational leave and tuition reimbursement
• A City-paid BayPass. The Menlo Park campus is centrally located within walking distance from Caltrain and downtown Menlo Park. This program offers employees unlimited travel for both work and personal trips on 25 Bay Area transit agencies that use the Clipper card, including CalTrain.
• A transportation allowance program provides employees with $1.50 per day when they walk, bicycle or carpool to work at least once per week.
• Employees are provided with access to an on-site gym at no cost

For additional benefit information, visit

www.menlopark.gov

and review the City of Menlo Park and AFSCME Memorandum of Understanding.

Special Instructions

IMPORTANT: Please be sure to fill out the required City application completely, including all relevant work experience, hours per week, and employees supervised. Applications with “See Resume” as a substitution for the work experience description and/or incomplete or unclear past employment information will not be considered.

Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. Not all applications which may meet the minimum requirements will proceed to the next phase of the recruitment process. If 25 or fewer applications are received, the eligibility list will be established based on application review. If more than 26 applications are received, the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an Oral Board Panel examination. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.

Tentative Oral/Department Panel Examination: Week of November 30 or December 7, 2026

An Eligibility List will be established as a result of this examination process and will be valid for a period of six (6) months. The list may be extended up to a maximum of two (2) years. The hiring department will review the Eligible List to determine which candidates will be invited to the department selection process.

The City of Menlo Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Menlo Park not to discriminate against all qualified applicants or employees. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources at

[email protected]

prior to the closing date for accommodation requests.

Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate will be required to successfully complete a criminal conviction history questionnaire, DOJ fingerprinting, and an Occuscreen background check.

Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States. The City will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Closing Date/Time: 11/18/2026 at 11:59pm