Salary: $152,006.40 - $182,395.20 Annually
Location : 260 W Seeboth St, Milwaukee, WI
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:Department: Office of the Executive Director
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/16/2026 11:59 PM Central
Hybrid Policy: With both Executive Director approval and successful completion of the six-month qualification period, a division director may work from home for 20% of their workweek hours.
Description MMSD is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of Operations and Maintenance in the Operations and Maintenance Division. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will establish and lead a new division responsible for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major corrective maintenance under a new agreement with a private operations and maintenance (O&M) contractor. You will build the division's management team, integrate experienced staff, and establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and working relationships. This position offers the opportunity to shape how MMSD oversees critical wastewater infrastructure and develops the internal knowledge, systems, and capabilities needed for effective long-term stewardship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Establish and lead the Operations and Maintenance Division, including managers and staff responsible for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major corrective maintenance initiatives.
- Lead the transition from existing contract compliance functions to the broader responsibilities of the new division. Preserve institutional knowledge, support staff development, and establish accountability for new expectations and practices.
- Direct MMSD's oversight of the private O&M contractor. Evaluate performance, address deficiencies, resolve issues, and maintain a productive working relationship while enforcing contractual requirements.
- Establish clear decision authority, performance expectations, and management practices. Develop managers' technical judgment, leadership capabilities, and ability to work effectively across disciplines.
- Oversee decisions concerning facility outages, wet-weather operations, energy use/purchasing, and the necessity of combined sewer overflows in accordance with applicable requirements. Establish dependable coverage, delegation and escalation procedures, and respond to critical issues outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Direct asset management practices that integrate asset condition, maintenance requirements, operational risk, lifecycle cost, and renewal needs. Coordinate priorities with the Technical Services Division (TSD) and other MMSD functions.
- Guide the implementation and effective use of MMSD's computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Establish expectations for reliable data, useful reporting, and staff proficiency in evaluating asset and maintenance information.
- Strengthen MMSD's ability to independently evaluate contractor recommendations, assess performance, and retain operational and asset knowledge through staff and contractor transitions.
- Coordinate with executive leadership, TSD, legal counsel, and other functions to address operational risks, contractual matters, and competing organizational priorities.
- Communicate performance, risks, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership. Ensure that significant issues receive timely attention and that corrective actions address underlying causes.
- Complete special projects as assigned.
Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, science (related to water, wastewater, or maintenance), or a related field.
- Ten years of job-related experience (advanced education degrees will be considered in lieu of experience).
- Demonstrated ability to lead managers and technically diverse teams, establish clear expectations, develop staff, and hold individuals accountable for results.
- Experience leading organizational change while maintaining effective operations and working relationships.
- Knowledge of wastewater operations, maintenance, infrastructure asset management, and the operational consequences of facility outages and wet-weather events.
- Ability to administer complex service agreements, evaluate contractor performance, and resolve technical and contractual issues.
- Ability to evaluate competing technical recommendations, assess risk, and make timely decisions with incomplete information.
- Understanding of CMMS and asset management systems, data quality, and the use of operational information to support maintenance and investment decisions.
- Ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and integrate operational, maintenance, and capital priorities.
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain consequential technical and operational matters to executive leadership.
- Ability to fulfill the position's after-hours operational responsibilities and establish effective coverage and readiness within the division.
- Previous supervisory/management experience.
- Valid driver's license required and a good driving record at time of application, during the selection process, and throughout employment.
- At least one certification or license related to operations and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility. Examples include but are not limited to: Wisconsin Professional Engineer (PE) License, Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification, Power Plant Operating Engineer License, Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), IAM Diploma in Asset Management, Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM), Certified Asset Management Professional (CAMP), and/or Project Management Professional (PMP).
Supplemental Information Supervisory Responsibilities:Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with MMSD policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.
Physical Requirements:- This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 lbs. of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 lbs. of force.
- Work occasionally requires sitting, walking, standing, speaking, hearing, smelling, and repetitive motions.
Sensory Requirements:- Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
- Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data.
Environmental Exposures:- Work occasionally requires exposure to working near moving mechanical parts, in high/precarious places, and in outdoor weather conditions.
- Work is generally in a moderately noisy location.
Requires the use of a hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed shoes as dictated by the location and type of work being performed.
01
Do you have a valid driver's license and a good driving record?
02
Are you able to fulfill the after-hours operational responsibilities?
03
Please list the certification(s) or license(s) you've earned that relate to the operations and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility.
04
Please briefly describe your experience leading organizational change.
05
Please briefly describe your management/leadership experience.
Required Question
