Assistant Manager, Water Quality Control Operations - City of Palo Alto, CA

The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose. 

The Position 
The Assistant Manager of Water Quality Control Operations oversees plant operations, enforces quality standards, and serves as the safety officer under the direction of the Water Quality Control Plant Manager. Key responsibilities include:

• Managing plant operations and ensuring performance goals are met.
• Enforcing operational quality standards.
• Assisting with contractual agreements with partner agencies.
• Collaborating with the assistant plant manager for maintenance and the capital group manager.

This role focuses on operational planning, quality control, safety oversight, and partnership coordination.

 
Ideal Candidate 
The ideal candidate has extensive experience managing state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plants, with strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills. They excel in coordinating complex projects with internal and external stakeholders, from blue-collar staff to PhDs. Experience in engineering, operations, capital project management, and finance is valuable, but a deep operational knowledge is key. This role requires active engagement in a dynamic environment, not a hands-off approach. A coaching leadership style is important, with the ability to address deficiencies, accept feedback, and improve. Skills in budgeting, contract writing, and employee evaluations are also essential.

Successful candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and five years of directly related experience, including two years of prior supervisory experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job, such as those listed above. 

Licenses, Certificates and Other Requirements: Valid California Driver’s License; Grade IV State Water Resources Control Board, Wastewater Plant Operator Certificate. Ability to obtain Grade V State Water Resources Control Board, Wastewater Plant Operator Certification within one year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications: Grade V State Water Resources Control Board, Wastewater Plant Operator Certificate.

For the full JD, click HERE.

Salary range is $143,936 - $215,883 supplemented by competitive benefits.  

Application and Selection Process: 
The closing date for this recruitment is Monday, November 11, 2024.

To be considered for this opportunity, please apply through Koff & Associates. 
Submit a resume, cover letter and five work related references (who will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment). Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held as well as size of past organization(s). This is a confidential process and will be handled accordingly throughout the various stages of the process. 

For additional information please contact: 
Peter Smith, Senior Recruiter 
510.342.3233 
Peter_smith1@ajg.com 
www.koffassociates.com