Water/Wastewater System Supervisor

Water/Wastewater System Supervisor

Non-Union Position
WTR-General Management Staff-Foothills; Yuma, Oregon (US-OR)
Regular FT, Non-Exempt
Posting # 5647

About Us:

NW Natural Water owns and operates water and wastewater utilities in communities throughout Oregon, Washington, Texas, Arizona, California, and Idaho. Since 2018, we have acquired more than 30 utilities and today serve more than 190,000 people via 76,000 connections.

Our parent company, NW Natural Holding Company (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 165 years. The company operates through NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), SiEnergy Operating (SiEnergy), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), and other business interests, serving a combined population of over 2.6 million people.

Position Summary:

The Water/Wastewater System Supervisor coordinates and supervises the daily maintenance, repair, inspection, and operation of Foothills Utilities water supply, water distribution, and wastewater collection systems. Facilities and assets include wells, wellhead treatment facilities, reservoirs, booster and lift stations, pressure-reducing valves, chlorination equipment, water and wastewater mains, services, valves, fire hydrants, reclaimed-water lines, siphon and diversion structures, meter stations, odor and corrosion control facilities, and related equipment.

The supervisor assigns and coordinates the daily work of multiple crews; sets priorities based on service needs, safety, and urgency; verifies that work complies with standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements; and ensures timely completion of preventive and corrective maintenance. The position uses the Customer Information System (CIS), Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), GIS, work-order systems, maps, reports, and field records to schedule work, document asset conditions, track repairs, and maintain accurate utility data.

The supervisor coordinates materials, equipment, traffic control, customer notifications, valve shutdowns, contractor activities, and emergency field repairs under the direction of the Senior Leadership. The position investigates service complaints, communicates with customers and affected parties, schedules required employee training, monitors safe work practices, maintains certifications, evaluates assigned staff, and performs related duties as required. This position is subject to 24-hour emergency call-out.

Distinguishing Features

An employee in this class exercises initiative and independent judgment in resolving day-to-day operating and field problems. The work emphasizes crew supervision, work scheduling, job-site coordination, inspection, documentation, regulatory compliance, and efficient use of assigned personnel, vehicles, equipment, and materials. Considerable time is spent at utility facilities and field work sites. Supervision is received from the Senior Leadership, who reviews work through meetings, reports, field observations, and results achieved.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Communication and Coordination

- Communicates policies, procedures, work instructions, training requirements, and safety expectations to assigned employees.

- Coordinates daily utility maintenance and repair activities with crews, contractors, developers, engineers, inspectors, vendors, other departments, and outside agencies.

- Provides accurate work status, outage, repair, and service-impact updates to utility management and administrative staff.

- Notifies customers and affected parties of the nature and expected duration of service interruptions; responds to questions and resolves routine complaints.

- Prepares clear reports, correspondence, maintenance records, incident documentation, schedules, maps, and performance evaluations.

- Coordinates required safety training, including confined-space entry, lockout/tagout, job safety analysis, personal protective equipment, bloodborne pathogens, motor-vehicle safety, and traffic control.

Field and Physical Requirements

- Inspects active and completed work for compliance with plans, specifications, standard operating procedures, safety requirements, and applicable ADEQ, county, and other regulatory standards.

- Travels to job sites and utility facilities to observe conditions, crews, vehicles, tools, and equipment.

- Recognizes electrical-wire colors, warning devices, traffic sounds, sirens, and indicators associated with toxic or explosive gases.

- Uses appropriate personal protective equipment and follows procedures for work around utility lines, moving traffic, confined spaces, wastewater facilities, and hazardous materials.

- Operates standard office equipment and computer systems for data entry, work orders, reports, schedules, maps, and records.

- Meets established scheduling, attendance, and emergency call-out requirements.

Supervisory and Technical Responsibilities

- Directs, prioritizes, schedules, and evaluates personnel performing installation, preventive maintenance, repair, inspection, cleaning, and servicing of water and wastewater facilities.

- Assigns work based on urgency, employee qualifications, equipment availability, service impacts, and safety considerations.

- Reviews job progress and completed work; helps crews resolve unusual field conditions; and verifies work quality and documentation.

- Uses CIS, CMMS, GIS, and work-order databases to schedule activities, track costs, record asset conditions, document repairs, and confirm that field information is entered accurately and promptly.

- Analyzes water-system reports, maps, zone boundaries, operating pressures, valve locations, and isolation requirements to direct safe valve operations and minimize service impacts.

- Interprets blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, maps, specifications, and written procedures.

- Coordinates emergency repairs, planned shutdowns, materials, inventory, vehicles, equipment, traffic control, and contractor access under established procedures.

- Conducts employee coaching, training, performance evaluations, and routine corrective action in accordance with established personnel policies.

- Performs mathematical calculations and prepares operational reports and records.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of

- Methods, tools, equipment, materials, and supplies used to install, inspect, maintain, and repair water supply, water distribution, and wastewater collection systems.

- Operation and maintenance practices for wells, treatment equipment, reservoirs, booster stations, pressure-reducing valves, water mains, services, valves, fire hydrants, sewer pipelines, lift stations, meter stations, siphons, CCTV inspection equipment, and odor-control facilities.

- Applicable federal, state, county, and local regulations, including ADEQ requirements, Arizona Blue Stake law, traffic-control requirements, and occupational safety standards.

- Confined-space entry, lockout/tagout, trenching and excavation safety, personal protective equipment, traffic control, hazard recognition, and safe equipment practices.

- Basic purchasing and inventory procedures for operational materials, supplies, equipment, and contracted field services.

- Computer-based word processing, spreadsheets, databases, GIS, CMMS, work-order systems, and electronic recordkeeping.

- Principles and practices of frontline employee supervision, coaching, evaluation, and training.

Ability to

- Coordinate several crews performing water and wastewater installation, maintenance, inspection, cleaning, and repair work.

- Set daily priorities, schedule assignments, obtain needed materials and equipment, and match work to employee qualifications and field conditions.

- Inspect work sites and completed jobs, identify problems, provide direction, and enforce quality, safety, regulatory, and documentation standards.

- Administer work orders and maintain accurate records of labor, materials, equipment, assets, line breaks, valves, hydrants, inspections, and repairs.

- Respond effectively to utility emergencies, service interruptions, customer concerns, and changing field conditions.

- Prepare clear, concise reports and communicate effectively with employees, contractors, regulators, customers, and other departments.

- Read and interpret plans, maps, utility records, blueprints, technical documents, and operating procedures.

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Foothills Utilities management, employees, contractors, customers, and the public.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in engineering, business administration, business management, organizational management, or a related field. Three years of full-time experience in the construction, maintenance, or repair of underground water or wastewater systems, including two years of lead or supervisory experience.

Required Certifications

- Wastewater Collections: Grade I or higher ADEQ Wastewater Collections certification, or an equivalent out-of-state certification eligible for Arizona reciprocity, by the application date. Arizona reciprocity must be obtained within three months of hire or promotion. A Grade II certification must be obtained within 12 months, and a Grade III certification within 24 months.

- Water Distribution: Grade II or higher ADEQ Water Distribution Operator certification, or an equivalent out-of-state certification eligible for Arizona reciprocity, by the application date. Arizona reciprocity must be obtained within three months of hire or promotion. A Grade III certification must be obtained within 24 months.

- Water Treatment: Grade I or higher ADEQ Water Treatment Plant Operator certification, or an equivalent out-of-state certification eligible for Arizona reciprocity, by the application date. Arizona reciprocity must be obtained within three months of hire or promotion. A Grade II Water Treatment Plant Operator certification must be obtained within 12 months.

- Cross-Connection Control: ADEQ General Backflow Tester and Cross-Connection Control Program Specialist certifications, or equivalent certifications accepted through Arizona reciprocity, must be obtained within 12 months of hire.

- Driver License: Valid Arizona Class D driver license.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with utility databases, GIS, Elements or comparable work-order systems, field project coordination, and asset maintenance records is desirable. Membership or affiliation with organizations such as the American Water Works Association (AWWA) or Arizona Water Association (AZWA) is also desirable.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness –

- Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution

- Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

- Start at 20 Vacation Days

- 80 Hours of Sick Time

- 13 paid holidays

- 3 weeks paid parental leave

Financial -

- Competitive 401K company contribution and match

- 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program

- Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement

Base hourly range: $29.14 - $44.29 per hour, depending on qualifications

Application Process: To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

https://www.careers.nwnatural.com/nwnaturalwater

Deadline: 10/27/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural Water participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

E-Verify Information
NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

All applications must be submitted through NW Natural Water’s Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

NW Natural Water does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural Water valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural Water HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural Water. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural Water as a result of the referral or through other means.