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What You Bring
Benefits
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
HOW TO APPLY
Position Information
Join Sonoma Water as an Operations Manager
At the Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water), the Operations Manager oversees the continuous operation of water and wastewater systems to ensure continuity of these services. The Operations Manager works to advance Sonoma Water’s strategic priorities by effectively allocating resources and managing budgets. This position works closely with Sonoma Water’s Maintenance Manager to assess and prioritize projects and advocate for the needs of both the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) sections. The Operations Manager regularly consults with and informs the O&M Assistant General Manager and Sonoma Water’s executive management team and represents the Operations section in meetings with internal and external stakeholders and the Board of Directors. Additionally, the Operations Manager position directly supervises a staff of five direct reports, who support the supervision and/or management of 54 allocated personnel.
What You Bring
The ideal candidate is dedicated to serving the community, brings significant experience in the water and/or wastewater industry, has excellent communication and organizational skills, and in-depth knowledge and familiarity with industry regulatory bodies and requirements. Additionally, they will possess:
- Leadership experience in the water/wastewater industry
- Knowledge of best practices for managing water and wastewater systems
- The ability to effectively represent Sonoma Water with regulatory bodies
- Professional speaking ability and presentation experience
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills
- The ability to build and maintain productive and positive partnerships
- Excellent judgement and political acumen
Benefits
Working at Sonoma Water offers opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits* including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $1,700 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
About Sonoma Water
Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of six divisions including Engineering and Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Community and Government Affairs, Water and Wastewater Operations, Maintenance, and Administrative Services. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water conservation and fishery restoration programs.
Please note: Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district, the Sonoma County Water Agency, and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma. The formal title for this position is Water Agency Operations and Maintenance Manager
- Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Salary Resolution (SalRes) and our Employee Benefits directory.
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Experience: Any combination of education, training, and work experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include a Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in public administration, business administration, environmental studies, geography, economics, engineering, physical and biological sciences, or a closely related field and three years of progressively responsible experience in the development and implementation of complex public works/utility projects, programs, goals, policies, and strategies; including at least one year in a management or supervisory capacity.
Certification: Professional certifications related to the area(s) of assignment in water distribution and wastewater systems are highly desired.
License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of: modern principles, practices, and methods of public administration and general management; principles and practices of environmental management relating to water, wastewater, and flood control activities; principles and practices of supervision and performance management; principles and practices of budget and fiscal management; principles of organization and management applicable to local government; principles and methods of effective communication, facilitation, and teambuilding; and principles, practices, and methods of project management.
Considerable knowledge of: utility operations and maintenance; County government; Federal, State, and local agencies which coordinate work with the Water Agency; environmental regulations; citizen and public interest groups dealing with water, wastewater, and environmental matters; design, location, construction and maintenance of public works, water resources, enhancement, and other public projects.
Ability to: make sound business decisions; exercise independent judgment; analyze administrative problems and a variety of programs, systems, and procedures; develop goals, objectives, and performance measures consistent with Water Agency mission, vision, and strategic plans; plan, organize, coordinate, supervise, guide, motivate, and evaluate professional and technical employees; communicate effectively with others at all levels; deal tactfully, convincingly, and effectively with Water Agency personnel, government officials, representatives of interest groups, and the general public; effectively assemble, organize, and present in written and oral form reports containing technical information, alternative solutions, and recommendations; and balance resource and conservation needs with Water Agency goals of providing water, sanitation, and flood control services.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses which state “See Resume” or “See Application” may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination(weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant’s application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.
Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer are contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: As the largest employer in Sonoma County, the Board of Supervisors has adopted a vaccination and testing policy to help mitigate transmission of COVID-19. All County employees will be required to either have documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination (including booster, when eligible) on file or consent to twice weekly COVID-19 testing.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
HR Analyst: AK
HR Technician: KC
HR Technician: KC
