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City of Santa Barbara, CA

Wastewater System Manager

City of Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara, CA, United States


Salary : $159,607.24 - $194,003.68 Annually

Location : Santa Barbara, CA

Job Type: Full-time Unclassified

Job Number: 2024-00146-0240-PW-CL

Department: Public Works

Division: Public Works - Wastewater Resources Management

Opening Date: 09/06/2024

Closing Date: 10/31/2024 5:30 PM Pacific

DESCRIPTION

Santa Barbara is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains making for one of the most beautiful City's in California. Located just 90 miles north of Los Angeles, Santa Barbara provides a unique living environment. The City offers its approximately 95,000 residents a year-round mild climate with an average temperature in the 70's, magnificent beaches, mountains and parks within minutes of a hustling downtown.

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.

The Mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE
As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful city. Our job is to serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PAY

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

THE POSITION
The City of Santa Barbara's Public Works Department is searching for a Wastewater System Manager to deliver manage the City's Wastewater system, which includes the wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, and recycled water treatment. The Wastewater System Manager reports directly to the Water Resources Manager and is responsible for 48 permanent employees and an $37 million annual budget: including management of $130 million in scheduled capital projects over the next 10 years. Plans, organizes, directs, and reviews activities of staff in the operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of all elements of the City's 257 mile wastewater collection system, the 6 million gallon per day (MGD), El Estero Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the City's 1.2 MGD recycled water treatment plant; represents the Wastewater System at City Council meetings, City boards and commissions, and County, State, and Federal agencies; acts as the media representative for inquiries regarding Wastewater issues and information; ensures that personnel are aware of and follow City, State, and Federal policies and regulations; acts as the technical expert in legal matters concerning wastewater issues; and coordinates the activities of the Section with other City functions and departments.

The ideal candidate:
  • Has strong technical and interpersonal skills and experience necessary to manage and deliver capital programs within a collaborative team environment.
  • Has a proven track record of project management and contract administration experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully deliver projects.
  • Understands the techniques of managing, scheduling, and monitoring multiple projects simultaneously to ensure timely completion within budget.
  • Solves and communicates controversial and complex technical problems to a wide variety of stakeholders.
  • Has extensive wastewater experience and can monitor progress and ensure conformance to plans, specifications, and safety standards and/or provide direction to staff regarding wastewater management.
Knowledge of:
  • Operational characteristics, services, and activities of all elements of wastewater systems.
  • Principles of management, supervision, training, and performance evaluation as applied to wastewater systems and personnel.
  • Design and construction operation and maintenance of wastewater collection and treatment systems.
  • Asset management program development and implementation.
  • Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical report preparation.
  • Modern physical, chemical, and bacterial processes involved in wastewater collection and treatment systems.
  • Budget development and control.
  • Principles of public administration and management.
  • Principles and practices of budget preparation and control.
  • Techniques of needs assessment and program evaluation.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment and software applications.
  • Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as applied to operations of wastewater systems.
Ability to:
  • Plan, organize and direct the operations and maintenance of the wastewater collection and treatment systems.
  • Analyze treatment procedures to ensure compliance of the wastewater systems with all applicable local, state and federal regulations.
  • Advise and coordinate work with staff, contractors, consultants and a variety of agencies in major modifications, renovation and construction projects.
  • Train and evaluate staff.
  • Write concise and clear reports.
  • Manage complex capital improvement projects.
  • Read, interpret and enforce Federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations.
  • Review and coordinate phases of construction projects and prepare progress reports.
  • Prepare and review reports and special studies on wastewater systems as requested by governmental agencies.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  • Select, train, supervise, coordinate and evaluate staff.
  • Create and maintain a positive work environment that values trust, respect, integrity, and honesty.
  • Motivate staff towards a common vision that fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and trusting workplace.
  • Prepare and maintain technical records and prepare comprehensive reports.
  • Exercise professional judgment to achieve results consistent with objectives.
  • Work cooperatively with staff, management, vendors, contractors, and others encountered in the course of work.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Make public presentations.
EXPERIENCE AND 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:

At least six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in the wastewater, environmental, or public administration fields.

Education and/or Training:

A Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with major course work in in hydraulics, Engineering, chemistry, biology, environment, or a related field; or a Master's degree related to the wastewater, environmental, or public administration fields.

License Requirements:

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Possession of a valid license as a civil, chemical or environmental engineer, or similar discipline, or:.
  • A Grade 5 Wastewater Treatment Plant Certification from the State Water Resources Control Board.
One or more of the following licenses/certifications is desirable:
  • Certifications from the California Water Environment Association.
    • Collection System Maintenance
    • Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance (includes Electrical/Instrumentation and
    • Mechanical Technologist)
    • Laboratory Analysis
    • Industrial Waste Compliance Inspection
SELECTION PROCESS

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.

STEP INCREASES, through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews.

THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to change:

Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.
  • Cell Phone Allowance of $50 per month will be provided to those applicable employees who do not have a City issued cell phone.
  • Deferred Compensation (457) Savings Plan is available.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP): A City-paid Employee Assistance Program is available for employees and family members. .
  • Flexwork/Telecommuting is available.
  • Health Insurance including medical, dental, and vision benefits is available. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Management Unit 2, 22, 32 Rate Sheet.
  • Holidays: 12 holidays are observed / year.
  • Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance (1 x annual salary) is provided. Employee-paid supplemental life insurance is available subject to a health application if coverage is not elected during the new hire guarantee issue period.
  • Long-term Disability Insurance: City-paid coverage is provided.
  • Management Leave: 40 hours are provided each July 1st(pro-rated the first year).
  • Medicare: Employee pays 1.45% of salary towards future Medicare benefits.
  • Personal Leave: 32 hours are provided each July 1st (pro-rated the first year).
  • Retirement: PERS Miscellaneous formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; employee contributes 6.75% of salary. PERS Police Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 13.50% of salary. PERS Fire Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; employee contributes 9% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; employee contributes 13.75% of salary. The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • Short Term Disability Insurance: Optional employee-paid coverage is available.
  • Sick Leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
  • The City is an employer-member of the Coastal Housing Partnership which offers regular employees with home loan assistance and rental reductions.
  • Uniforms will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
  • Vacation is accrued at 120 hours / year, increasing with City service.


01

Describe your experience working with (a) Wastewater Collections; (b) Wastewater Treatment

02

Describe your administrative experience, including report writing, budget preparation, long-range planning, and capital program development and management. Include size of budget and a description of long-range planning and capital improvement programs.

03

Describe your experience and approach for supervision of technical staff.

04

Please describe your experience with: (a) Development and implementation of asset management programs; (b) Capital project scoping, development, design, and construction management.

05

Please describe your experience and/or knowledge with specialized computer software for project, facilities, asset, and operational management.

Required Question