Water Operations Manager

Salary : $101,232.84 - $176,991.50 Annually
Location : Water Service: 251 South Hayes Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 3150-PW-2609-JR
Department: PUBLIC WORKS
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Description
The City of Oxnard's Public Works Department invites qualified candidates to apply for the position of Water Operations Manager within the Water Division. This position provides management oversight for the City's water treatment facilities, blending stations, maintenance operations, and associated regulatory compliance programs. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience and knowledge in water utility operations.
What You'll Do:

• Accepts management responsibility for the City's water treatment facilities, blending stations, maintenance operations, and related regulatory compliance programs, ensuring that all operations meet applicable laws, regulations, permit requirements, and City policies. Proposes, presents, and justifies divisional programs, projects, operations, and services; develops a strategy and work plan for the successful achievement of department/division and project goals.
• Serves as a resource for the treatment plant departments/divisions; coordinates divisional activities with other divisions, departments, and organizations; provides information and resources to City officials, departments, and other organizations as is appropriate.
• Conducts financial, organizational, and operational service delivery studies; makes recommendations to address and resolve identified service delivery issues.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary documents or correspondence to appropriate boards, groups and/or committees.
• Attends and participates in organizational and community meetings as necessary; stays current on issues relative to the field of water treatment plant operations and maintenance , contracts, and permits; responds to and resolves community and organizational inquiries and complaints.

Payroll Title/Classification: Plant Operations Manager

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is distinguished from the Chief Plant Operator in that it oversees a major operational program or function of the water or wastewater plant and serves as a first-level supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED/ SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Incumbents supervise paraprofessional and support staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures. Receives general supervision and is expected to prioritize work to meet deadlines and to keep the supervisor informed of issues that would impact achievement of a deadline, organizational policy or procedure or in consideration of risk management.
WORK SCHEDULE:

The normal work week is Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm and alternating Fridays 8:00am to 5:00pm. Depending on the area of assignment staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. This position may be required to be available for additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either primarily in an office setting or out in the field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work.

Essential Functions
This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• Supervises staff including conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline and termination procedures.
• Plans, manages, coordinates, and supervises water treatment and blending station operations, maintenance activities, and associated regulatory compliance programs, including State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water operational, monitoring, sampling, and reporting requirements; Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) requirements; and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District permits and regulations.
• Monitors operational and maintenance processes to ensure regulatory compliance, achievement of work-quality standards, and adherence to operational and safety policies and procedures; provides administrative and technical direction to staff.Serves as a liaison and advisor with internal departments, agencies, and other external organizations, groups and/or representatives; responds to inquiries and requests; manages escalated issues; reviews, recommends and implements solutions to issues.
• Recommends, develops and implements policies, procedures and/or processes related to assigned projects, functions and/or programs. Prepares and reviews reports; consults with staff; analyzes problems and recommends solutions.
• Participates in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of assigned division, program, and/or project budgets and expenditures. Provides procurement recommendations and assists in purchase acquisitions.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications
The following are the minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:

EDUCATION:

• Associate's degree (or 60 units) in water science or a related field. (Must be attached to your application)

EXPERIENCE:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible water treatment or wastewater treatment experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid California Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Valid California State Water Resources Control Board Water Treatment Operator T4 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certificate. (Must be attached to your application)
• Valid California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator D3 Certificate. (Must be attached to your application)

General Information
APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application.

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments. There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy within the Public Works Department.

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: Positions in this classification are represented by the Oxnard Mid-Managers Association (OMMA).
NOTE:

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.
If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

This position is not governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Retirement Contributions:
New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Safety Designated Positions: New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2.7% @ 57; "Classic" members 3% @ 50. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement depending on their relevant MOU. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Vacation/Annual Accrual Rates:
Leave accrual rates vary between 6.24 - 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service.

Administrative Leave:
Management employees are not compensated for overtime worked. However, the department director may authorize up to 40 hours of administrative leave in one year.

Deferred Compensation:
The City contributes 1% of employee salary to a 401(a) plan of its choosing.

Retirement Health Savings
The City contributes 1% to a retirement health savings account.

Bilingual Pay: A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$100.00 bi-weekly depending on the Level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.
Health and Dental:
Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City's monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.

Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $2,054 per month towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will provide $66.80 per month towards dental insurance.

Holidays:
The City observes 12 holidays per year

Life Insurance:
City employees receive Basic Life Coverage ($7,500) + 1 times annual salary 100% paid by the City. Employees also have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Tuition Reimbursement:
Full-time employees are eligible for 100% reimbursement for work-related coursework up to a maximum of $5,000 per fiscal year.
01

Do you possess an Associate's degree, or 60 college units, in water science or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Please list your degree and course major.
03

Do you possess seven (7) years of water or wastewater treatment experience?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess two (2) years of supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a valid California Water Distribution Operator D3 certification?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a valid California Wat