Salary : $191,664.00 - $221,892.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-079
Department: Water Operations Dept
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 7/24/2026 4:30 PM Pacific

The Position

Qualified candidates are invited to apply for this Superintendent position in the System Water Quality Section. The Superintendent of System Water Quality plans, schedules, supervises, coordinates and reviews the operation of EBMUD's distribution system including managing technical water quality maintenance programs, water system upgrades, system treatments, system troubleshooting, and consumer complaint resolution plans.

Duties include:
• Analyzes chlorine residuals, bacteriological, quality, and pressure and flow problems in the distribution system; advises on corrective action to be taken and recommends improvements on the effectiveness and economy of water quality maintenance programs to water distribution/treatment staff; conducts source water monitoring programs, investigations, and special studies to maintain water quality and treatment efficiency and effectiveness.
• Leads or participates on interdepartmental task forces and working committees to coordinate district-wide approaches to water treatment, distribution, and water quality issues including regulatory compliance; represents EBMUD in meetings with representatives of other agencies, associations, and the public.
• Directs the preparation and implementation of plans to ensure water quality standards are met in distribution and treatment systems including annual system flushing, hydrant testing, reservoir sampling and treatments, and other disinfectant action plans such as total coliform rule action.
• Studies current industry developments in the field of water treatment, water distribution, and water quality and serves as primary technical resource to personnel in maintaining operational compliance with water treatment and water quality regulations and industry applicable environmental and health standards; leads or conducts operational studies to identify distribution system or treatment plant problems and to introduce system changes as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• The principles, practices, and methods involved in the operation and maintenance of large (above 40 MGD) water treatment facilities or distribution facilities with multiple storage reservoirs, pressure zones, pumping plants, and flow requirements; related laws and regulations pertaining to municipal water systems and their water quality; safe working practices; effective supervisory techniques, including scheduling training, counseling, and evaluating subordinates; budget preparation and control; effective utilization of materials, equipment, and personnel required of a large operating unit; the operation of pumps, electric motors, piping, and control systems; standard water quality analysis equipment and procedures; and the elements and application of control and data management systems as they apply to water treatment or distribution operations. Knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical mechanisms associated with the maintenance of water quality in source water and drinking water reservoirs and distribution systems; and laboratory analytical procedures for applicable drinking water analyses and water quality regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Title 22 Code of Regulations for California.

Ability to:
• Apply a complex energy management system, including time of use pumping and pump efficiency studies, for a distribution system or test equipment and manage treatment process improvement projects; plan, assign, supervise, review, and evaluate the work of an operations or inspection staff; resolve budget, personnel, and other administrative issues; develop and administer training programs; prepare accurate records, clear and comprehensive reports, and correspondence; analyze operational problems and develop and implement effective solutions; exercise sound judgment in emergency situations; interpret engineering drawings including plant, piping, and distribution diagrams; communicate effectively to subordinates, supervisors, regulatory agency representatives, water industry experts, and community groups; plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinates.
• Understand and apply contemporary environmental and health issues to technical water quality decisions for a large distribution and treatment system; apply laboratory analytical methods to monitoring the quality of the drinking water system and troubleshooting water quality problems; manage the implementation of distribution system improvements involving coordination between operations staff, other departments, regulatory agencies, water industry experts, customers, and community groups.

The salary range is $15,972 per month increasing to $16,771, $17,610 and $18,491 after 6, 18, and 30 months, respectively.

Requirements

Any combination of education and experience that has led to the acquisition of the knowledge and abilities indicated above. Typical means of acquiring these knowledge, skills and abilities are:

1. A bachelor's degree; AND

2a. Three years of experience supervising the operation of water quality control programs or distribution systems for a domestic water system with facilities of the size, number, and complexity approximating those of EBMUD; or

2b. Three years of experience as an engineer at a level comparable to EBMUD's class of Associate Engineer performing applied operational studies to maintain or improve water quality for a domestic water system with facilities of the size, number, and complexity approximating those of EBMUD. Such experience must have included significant technical, administrative, and supervisory responsibilities.

3. Possess or obtain a valid State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water certificate as a D2 operator within 12 months, a D3 operator within 36 months, a D4 operator within 48 months, and a D5 operator within 72 months of appointment to Superintendent.

4. California driver's license with a satisfactory driving record.

5. Possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the class.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the "equivalent combination of education and experience" provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.
The Selection Process

1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 10, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.

2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.

3. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates demonstrating the strongest qualifications to be invited to a panel interview tentatively scheduled for August.

4. Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.

5. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.

6. All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.
Supplemental Information

As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application. The purpose of this supplement is to obtain sufficient information to determine which candidates possess the best job related qualifications for this classification. Those candidates will be invited to the next step in the selection process.

Due to the competitive nature of the review, it is very important to fill out this supplement completely and accurately. Incomplete applications and/or supplement responses such as "see application" or "see résumé" instead of addressing the questions directly, will not be considered.

It is your responsibility to describe your work experience, including specific details which are relevant to the position. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed.
Our excellent benefits package includes:

• Eligibility for annual merit-based bonus pay program;
• 12 days paid vacation; 16 holidays; 7 days paid administrative leave; 13 days paid sick leave;
• Family health insurance (choice of Kaiser fully paid or Sutter Health Plus or Anthem Blue Cross 85% paid);
• Fully paid family dental and vision care plans; life insurance; long-term disability insurance;
• EBMUD Retirement Plan (reciprocal with CalPERS);
• $1,000/yr. contributed to flexible spending account or cash;
• $145/mo. public transit subsidy;
• 401(k), 401(a) and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans; Roth 401(k);
• $5,000/yr. tuition reimbursement;
• And opportunities for professional growth including training and career development.

01

Describe your experience in water quality including supervising operations to ensure a high level of water quality, responding to water quality issues and ensuring current and future drinking water regulations are met OR describe your experience as an engineer performing applied operational studies to maintain or improve water quality for a drinking water system.
02

The Superintendent will manage a section with a $7.0 million operating budget and a staff of four senior water system inspectors, nineteen water system inspectors and two supervisors. Describe your supervisory or project management experience directing staff engaged in water quality related activities. Include specific examples of supervising, training and evaluating staff and of budget preparation.
03

The Superintendent works closely with other EBMUD work units to ensure operational needs are met. Describe your experience in working across work units to meet/achieve department goals. Describe your role and what were your responsibilities?
Required Question