Wastewater Operations Manager

Salary : $100,179.00 - $144,229.00 Annually Location : Gresham, OR Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 26-54 Department: Environmental Services Division: Wastewater Operations Opening Date: 03/02/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Overview The City of Gresham is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Wastewater Operations Manager to lead our Wastewater Collection Operations team. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance of the City's wastewater collection system. This position is ideal for a seasoned wastewater professional who combines deep technical expertise with strong operational leadership, fiscal stewardship, and a commitment to service excellence.

This job announcement will remain posted until the position is filled. First review of applications will take place the week of March 23, 2026. As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity.

Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Description The Wastewater Operations Manager oversees all inspection, maintenance, and repair of wastewater collection system assets. This position ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including NPDES permit requirements, and plays a critical role in protecting public health and the environment. Reporting to the Wastewater Director, this role provides strategic direction, supervises field operations staff, manages budget and contracts, supports capital improvement projects, and serves as a subject matter expert for collection system operations and maintenance.

What you will get to do: Lead and manage wastewater collection operations, including inspection, cleaning, repair, and emergency response activities. Ensure all federally and state-mandated permit requirements are met and properly documented. Supervise and develop operations staff, including performance evaluations, coaching, mentoring, and accountability.

Respond to sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and emergency situations with urgency and professionalism. Develop and administer the operations budget; manage contracts, procurements, and equipment replacement planning. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on capital improvement projects (CIP), new development reviews, and public works standards.

Serve as a technical advisor on collection system operations, maintenance practices, and asset management strategies. Actively participate as a member of the Wastewater Department Asset Management Steering Committee. Provide exceptional customer service, addressing public concerns and ensuring timely resolution of issues.

Qualities we are looking for: Strategic thinker who balances immediate operational demands with long-term infrastructure sustainability. Decisive leader who remains calm and effective during emergencies and high-pressure situations. Technically credible expert in wastewater collection systems, regulatory frameworks, and asset management principles.

Data-driven decision maker who uses analytics to optimize staffing, equipment planning, and maintenance programs. Collaborative partner who builds strong cross-departmental and external stakeholder relationships. Skilled communicator capable of navigating complex or sensitive discussions with employees, elected officials, regulators, and the public.

People-first supervisor committed to coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams. Ethical and accountable professional who models integrity, safety, and public stewardship. Leadership & Oversight This position directly supervises field operations personnel, including Public Utility Workers, Senior Public Utility Workers, a Field Operations Supervisor, and an Asset Management Specialist.

The Wastewater Operations Manager sets operational goals, directs daily activities, ensures safety compliance, and fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. The Wastewater Operations Manager will be required to assume Rotating Operation Manager duties and functions for one quarter each year and serves as the on-call Operations Manager for one week each month. Qualifications Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required: Advanced knowledge of Wastewater Collection System infrastructure Understanding of Best Management Practices associated with inspecting and maintaining Wastewater Collection infrastructure following OSHA safety standards Understanding of city, state and federal regulations and policies regarding National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, union contracts, city government employee manual policies, protected leaves and more Advanced knowledge of Asset Management (AM) practices and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).

Knowledge of municipal budgetary processes, strong administrative and computer skills, and an understanding of training methods and requirements for staff members at various levels Understanding of construction standards, principles and requirements for new development, repairs and upgrades to existing infrastructure Demonstrated experience with plan review, Public Works Standards and requirements within the industry for new development, capital improvement projects and upgrades Understanding of CCTV hardware, software platforms, and NASSCO rating system used for sewer line inspections Ability to provide leadership, coaching, mentoring and staff development Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Vocational education/training/certification in related field Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible wastewater collection operations experience, including supervisory responsibilities Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) Disaster Training Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office to include mapping software, Excel, and report writing Lucity Asset Management (or equivalent) software proficiency Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Level IV Wastewater Collections Certification Current National Associations of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) certification Valid Driver's License Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in related field American Public Works Association (APWA) Leadership Training Certificate Any combination of qualifying education, training, and/or experience equivalent to seven to ten years will be considered. Selection Process To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting. Required application materials: Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.) Answers to supplemental questions The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application.

We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents. A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law. Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov. If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. The City provides full family, comprehensive medical and dental insurance. Vision and prescription coverages are included in the medical plans.

Most limited term and regular status employees who work at least 30 hours per week pay nothing for their medical and dental coverage. Medical Insurance Options: City of Gresham Core Plan- UnitedHealthcare Options PPO Network Kaiser Permanente Traditional HMO Dental Insurance Options: Delta Dental PPO Plan Willamette Dental Insurance Kaiser Permanente Additional benefits include: Employer paid life insurance and long term disability, an employer sponsored deferred compensation plan, flexible spending accounts (medical, child care), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement (City picks up the 6% employee's contribution), an employer contribution to a HRA/VEBA medical savings account, paid time off (PTO) accrual at a minimum of 12.66 hours per month, and 4 hours of sick leave, in additional to nine paid holidays and 3.5 paid floating holidays per year. For more detailed information, please visit our Employee Benefits page at: 01 What best describes your highest level of education?

High School Diploma or GED Some College Vocational or Technical Trade School Certification Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree or Above None of the Above 02 Which of the following best describes your progressively responsible wastewater collection operations experience? No Experience Less than one year More than one year but less than two years More than two years but less than three years More than three years but less than four years More than four years but less than five years More than five years but less than six years More than six years but less than seven years Seven years or more 03 Based on your response to progressively responsible wastewater collection operations experience, please describe when and where you acquired this experience and specific duties performed. If you do not have this experience, please type 'N/A'. 04 Please select any and all of the following that you currently possess.

American Public Works Association Leadership Training Certificate Federal Emergency Management Association Disaster Training Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Level IV Wastewater Collections Certification National Associations of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO) certification None of the Above 05 Please describe your proficiency with Lucity Asset Management software (or equivalent) and how you have used it professionally. If you are unfamiliar with asset management software, please type 'N/A'. 06 Please describe your supervisory and leadership experience that qualifies you for this position. 07 Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Word (or equivalent) proficiency? I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below.

BASIC: basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. This level of skill is sufficient to perform daily word processing tasks such as: routine letters, memorandums, and informal reports. INTERMEDIATE: Ability to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports.

Skill to use and create a variety of templates, complex tables, merges; manage table data, sort and filter merges, and perform basic work with existing Macros. ADVANCED: Ability to use and create a wide range of graphic effects and has full mastery of Macro commands. Skill level to product very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements. 08 Which one of the following best describes your highest level of Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet program) proficiency?

I do not have enough skills to meet the definition of the Basic level below. BASIC: Create basic worksheets; create basic formulas; use basic functions; modify and format a worksheet; print workbooks. INTERMEDIATE: Use advanced formulas; organize tables and worksheets; create and modify charts; analyze data using Pivot tables and Pivot Charts; insert and modify graphic objects in a worksheet ADVANCED: Create and edit macros; conditional formatting; apply data validation criteria; able to protect, share and merge files; trace cells and troubleshoot formula errors; uses data list outline; consolidate data and link workbooks; export and import text files and XML data; import data from the Web and create Web queries; analyze data using trend lines, Sparklines and scenarios.

Required Question