Utilities Superintendent Environmental Operations

Job Description:

Utilities Superintendent Environmental Operations

Description

Description

Ready to lead with purpose in a city where ocean views meet opportunity? Join our team as the Utilities Superintendent of Environmental Operations in our beautiful seaside community. Here, the success of each project is driven by collaboration, innovation, and a positive team atmosphere. Make an impact through leadership that helps protect our environment and community.

Scheduled Salary Increases:

Effective July 2026 - 3.0%

Effective July 2027 - 2.5%

This recruitment will remain open until an adequate number of qualified

applications have been received. For consideration, interested individuals should not delay in submitting their application. First review of applications will be Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Under direction, to supervise, coordinate, and oversee the programs, services and activities of the Wastewater and Environmental Operations Section within the Utilities Division; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a mid-management level class assigned to the Utilities Division of the Public Works Department. The Utilities Superintendent, Environmental Operations reports to the Utilities Manager, and is responsible for providing second line supervision, coordination, and oversight over the overall activities of the Wastewater and Environmental Operations Section of the Utilities Division.

Essential Functions

Essential and other important functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Serves as a second line supervisor over subordinate Chief Operators and other first line supervisory staff over wastewater treatment and water quality/laboratory functions.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the wastewater treatment plant; organizes, prioritizes, assigns, and reviews the work of staff responsible for maintaining environmental permits and related compliance programs; and establishes schedules and methods for providing recommends and implements policies and procedures for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant.
• Participates in the selection of operations staff; prepare performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
• Coordinates and oversees training programs for wastewater and environmental operations staff, ensuring that all safety practices are implemented and followed; develops and implements staff training programs including employee development, certification, and job knowledge; and maintains documentation for all training programs.
• Analyzes and develops new or modified systems, policies, procedures, and work methods; and recommends and implements policies and procedures for the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant.
• Serves as the City's designated Chief Plant Operator by overseeing the City’s water reclamation plant and administering various environmental programs, to ensure compliance with State and County laws, rules, and regulations.
• Interacts, collaborates, and works with outside contractors on maintenance activities and construction projects; coordinates work activities with contractors; and monitors and oversees contractors’ work products and outcomes to ensure that work quality conforms to standards.
• Participates and oversee activities, programs, and reports that ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and statutes and health regulations affecting the Wastewater and Environmental Operations Section, as well as the Utilities Division.
• Implements the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs, pre-treatment programs such as F.O.G., and other environmental compliance permits such as E.P.A. and AQMD related to the City's Utility Division operations, services, and activities which may include the areas of water, wastewater, recycled water, solid waste and recycling, air quality, and storm water compliance.
• Coordinates programs, projects and activities with those of other City departmental units, outside agencies and organizations.
• Monitors and interprets laboratory and operational data; ensures treatment processes and water quality tests comply with regulated guidelines; and monitors adjustments to treatment processes, including chemical application, as required.
• Prepares various regulatory reports, memoranda, letters, staff reports and other forms of correspondence; reports on operations and activities; and maintains computerized maintenance programs.
• Recommends and assists upper level management of Utilities and Public Works in the planning and implementation of goals and objectives.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; evaluates capital improvement projects; and prepares specifications for material and equipment purchases.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Performs related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Operations, principles, practices, methods, materials, and equipment used in wastewater treatment technology.

Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations including those affecting NPDES permits, the Storm Water Program, Solid waste and Recycling, and other environmental permits and programs.

Local, State and Federal guidelines regulating the operation and maintenance of a water/wastewater storage, treatment, distribution and collection system, solid waste collection system, hazardous waste requirements, and the NPDES Municipal storm-water permit.

Standard principles of permitting, legal, regulatory, and technical requirements of storm water quality management, best management practices programs, and environmental monitoring and assessment.

Principles of leadership, supervision, training and performance evaluation.

Basic principles of management, including budget preparation and control, and contracts.

Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions, principles, and practices.

Methods and techniques pertaining to researching, collecting, and analyzing technical or scientific data and information, as applied to utility water services and operations.

Principles and procedures of record keeping and reporting.

Modern computers, software, and office equipment.

Ability to:

Effectively schedule, supervise, organize, and review the work of personnel in the operation of the City’s wastewater reclamation system and assigned environmental programs or projects.

Provide effective coordination and oversight over the wastewater and environmental operations of a utility component of a municipal agency.

Serve as the City's Chief Plant Operator as designated by the California Department of Public Health.

Provide a high level of customer service when interacting and communicating with internal and external customers.

Analyze problems in a sound and logical manner, identify viable alternative solutions, determine cost effectiveness of proposed solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and develop and implement appropriate and effective recommendations.

Ensure that facility wastewater and environmental operations and services comply with Federal, State and local rules, laws and regulations.

Demonstrate effective leadership when supervising, training, and evaluating staff.

Ensure that workplace safety and hazard prevention standards, policies, procedures, and practices are implemented by assigned staff at all times.

Perform responsible and difficult work involving the use of independent judgment and initiative.

Interpret and apply departmental policies and procedures in an accurate and effective manner.

Read, understand, and interpret engineering plans, specifications, blueprints, and ladder diagrams.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Stay current with new or updated laws, regulations, standards, trends, and technology pertaining to utility or water services provided to municipalities.

Experience and Education/Training Guidelines:

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

Experience:

Five years of increasingly responsible operations and maintenance experience with a water or wastewater utility agency, company, or organization. Previous experience must have included at least two years of supervisory experience over assigned staff.

Education/Training:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by the completion of coursework or specialized training in water technology, water resources, regulatory requirements, construction technology, or a closely related field.

Licenses or Certificates:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California Driver License by the time of appointment.

Possession of a valid Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certificate issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board by the time of appointment.

Possession of, or within 12 months of appointment, an Advanced Treatment Operator Certification, as issued by the American Water Works Association (AWWA), or a Membrane Operator Certification as issued by Southwest Membrane Operators Association (SWMOA).

Special Requirements:

Required to respond to emergencies as needed.

Required to work during irregular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; and work on an On-Call duty basis.

When assigned to On-Call duty, must be able to respond within 45 minutes.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment:

The work environment for this job class is divided between an indoor setting with the Utilities division/plant, and outdoors in the field. Work involves exposure to loud noises from machinery, chemicals, gases, fumes, and inclement weather conditions.

Physical Requirements:

• Work is performed within indoor and outdoor environments, requiring extensive sitting, and some standing and walking.
• Moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of boxes and files.
• Stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling to access files.
• Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment, handle files and documents.
• Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone.
• Visual acuity to see/read documents and computer screens.

Supplemental Information

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE
All applicants must submit a completed City of San Clemente application form and supplemental questionnaire in order to be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax or email.

Applications must be submitted via the City's web site at http://san-clemente.org/jobs . All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, or oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience.

Prior to employment, the prospective candidate must successfully complete a background review, medical examination, including drug screen, and be fingerprinted, all at City expense. If selected, written identification showing entitlement to legally work in the United States will be required.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or age.

In accordance with the ADA, candidates that require accommodation to perform the tasks of this position should contact Human Resources to inform them of the accommodation requested.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

The City of San Clemente provides excellent benefits which include:

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULE -Most positionswork a 9/80 work schedule.

HOLIDAYS - The City presently recognizes 12 regular holidays, plustwo floating holidays.

VACATION - Employees accumulate vacation at the rate of 120 hours per year increasing to a maximum of 180 hours based on years of service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE - Employees in this position are granted 64 hours per year.

SICK LEAVE - Accrual of 8 hours per month.

INSURANCE - The City provides a comprehensive benefit package including employee medical, dental, vision, short-term,and long-term disability insurance.

LIFE INSURANCE - Value equal to two times annual earnings up to a maximum of $200,000.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION - Employees may defer up to a maximum of $23,500 annually.Individuals aged 50 and older can contribute up to $7,500 in catch-up contributions to these plans.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Employees may participate in either or both of the Health Care or Dependent Care programs.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - The City offers full-time employees and their dependents an EAP program which provides a variety of professional services.

RETIREMENT - The City of San Clemente is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), and is subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).The retirement formula for new employees is based on the category below that the new employee falls under. Employee contribution rates will be determined by the employee's classification and requirements under PEPRA.
NOTE: The City is also a member of the Social Security system. As such, Full Time employees make contributions to Social Security in addition to their CalPERS contributions.

Classic Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 55

Definition:

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the PEPRA definition of a "new member" as "classic members" who are subject to the Public Employees' Retirement Law (PERL). PEPRA allows a member after January 1, 2013, to retain his/her classic member retirement benefit status if the member continues his/her membership in all previous California Public Retirement System(s) by leaving his/her service credit and contributions (if any) on deposit, and the member enters into employment that results in CalPERS membership within six months of separating from the most recent California Public Retirement System. Classic member status also requires the membership date to be on or before December 31, 2012, in a California Public Retirement System in which reciprocity is established.

New Member:

Retirement Formula: 2% @ 62

Definition: A new member is defined in PEPRA as any of the following:

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

• A new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, who has a break in service of greater than six months with another California Public Retirement System that is subject to Reciprocity.

• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, who is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six months.

Salary:

$136,988.80 - $166,504.00 Annually