Director of Operations and Water Quality

About The Organization

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 475,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

Position Summary

We are looking to hire a DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AND WATER QUALITY to join our WATER OPERATIONS Department. Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, leads, and provides strategic direction for the following areas of responsibility: Water Treatment and Distribution, Water Quality and Environmental Permitting, and Maintenance Operations. Receives policy direction from the General Manager and Assistant General Manager. Provides input and direction as a member of the executive leadership team in establishing policies, procedures, goals, and objectives for TMWA and exercises direct supervision over division and departments through subordinate levels of supervision. Oversees, leads, and participates in all activities of assigned departments, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental directives, procedures, and services. Assists the General Manager and Assistant General Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of Board policy, TMWA functions and activities, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement interdisciplinary projects and programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; with staff, develops, implements, and monitors policies and procedures, work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against department budget and TMWA’s business objectives; supervises and participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating work plans and processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personnel development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; subject to management concurrence, takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with TMWA’s rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
• Provides day‑to‑day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high performance, customer‑focused environment that supports achieving TMWA’s vision, objectives, and values.
• Participates in the preparation and development of the Division’s annual operating and capital budgets, monitors expenditures against goals and objectives; directs budgetary changes to meet changing conditions.
• Prepares formal reports; makes presentations to the TMWA Board, and professionally represents TMWA before regulatory and permitting agencies, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Prepares special and recurring studies and reports; develops recommendations to improve the operations of assigned areas and coordinates activities with other divisions, departments, and agencies.
• Confers with, advises, and provides technical assistance to staff regarding assigned areas.
• Reviews, coordinates, and works with staff to ensure the implementation of local, state, and federal laws and regulations for assigned areas.
• Participates in the analysis of trends such as population growth and the development of strategies and technology to meet and serve the needs of the community.
• Research and monitors developments in techniques, equipment, technology, supplies, and materials used for assigned areas and applies continuous improvement principles in the deployment of department business plans, processes, and performance measures, ensuring that they align with TMWA’s strategies and business objectives.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding water operations, water quality, employee safety and environmental issues.
• Establishes policies, procedures, and operating parameters for all treatment plants and wells that meet water quality goals, regulations, capacity requirements, water resource, and energy efficiency goals.
• Confers with and advises staff regarding water production, treatment, storage, transmission, and distribution needs and ensures all water production, treatment, storage, and distribution systems are operable during peak demand periods.
• Participates in the development and implementation of enhancements, modifications, upgrades, and improvements to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems (SCADA) and treatment processes to improve water quality, increase production rates, or lower treatment costs; analyzes causes and while working with operations team, implements solutions to treatment process problems.
• Plans, manages, coordinates, and directs staff involved in the maintenance, repair, and operations functions of TMWA, including all water production, treatment storage and distribution equipment.
• Coordinates with engineering and operations to ensure capital improvements are planned to meet the operational, maintenance and rehabilitation needs of the system and ensures the integration of new or repaired equipment and facilities is coordinated and seamless to the customer.
• Supports TMWA’s efforts to continuously improve safety programs, encourages transparent discussion of safety events, and timely resolution of safety issues; ensures relevant training is provided and leads by example.
• Required to answer emergency call‑outs and provide direction and leadership during emergency and non‑emergency events.

Leadership Expectations

• Lead in a manner that inspires people to care more, never less, about TMWA’s mission of delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable water service, strengthening organizational pride and shared purpose through your actions and example.
• Actively develop direct reports and staff through regular coaching, meaningful feedback, and intentional growth opportunities that build a strong leadership pipeline.
• Demonstrate active listening in all interactions with staff, regulators, and stakeholders, demonstrating genuine curiosity, respect, and an ability to retain and act on key information.
• Model TMWA’s Core values (Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Dedicated, Excellence) and key leadership attributes (humility, drive, resilience, adaptability, ownership, team‑first mindset) consistently in decisions, communications, and strategic direction.
• Earn and sustain trust by demonstrating integrity, transparency, and clear alignment of decisions with TMWA’s mission, regulatory responsibilities, and long‑term strategic goals.
• Maintain strong situational awareness and manage emotions effectively under pressure, communicating with optimism, sincerity, and steadiness during both routine operations and emergency events.
• Demonstrate continuous leadership growth by engaging in self‑reflection, participating in leadership development training, seeking 360‑degree feedback, and modeling a growth‑oriented mindset.

Education and Experience Requirements

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

• Experience: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible supervisory experience in water utility operations, water treatment or distribution, or water quality.
• Education & Training: Graduation from high school, or G.E.D equivalent; AND equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business, or public administration or a related field. Must have working‑level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

Certifications, Licensure, and Special Requirements

• Must hold a valid driver’s license from the State of Nevada or, for applicants who reside in another state within a commutable distance (including students), a valid driver’s license issued by their state of residence.
• Must also meet and maintain eligibility to be covered under TMWA’s vehicle insurance requirements.
• A State of Nevada Grade IV Water Distribution Operator certification (D4) and Grade IV Water Treatment Operator certification (T4) is required and must be obtained within a predetermined period.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation during the hiring process and periodically during employment, background investigations may be conducted. This position is considered a safety‑sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened‑for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Principles and practices of water utility operations, management and organization including treatment and distribution processes; principles practices, techniques and equipment common to the operation and maintenance of a large, complex water treatment, storage, transmission and distribution system; principles, methods, and practices related to SCADA systems; local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of a potable water system including the Safe Drinking Water Act and EPA regulations; principles and practices of public administration, budget development and administration; water quality operations and related local, state and federal rules and regulations; administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, project management, and program development, implementation, and analysis; principles and practices of effective communication, management, and supervision; principles of labor relations; standard office practices and procedures, including computer applications related to the work.
• Skilled In/Ability To Plan, assign, direct and coordinate a variety of functional areas with overlapping work; select, motivate, and evaluate staff and provide for their training and development; prepare, administer, and monitor a division budget; analyze complex operational and administrative problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective courses of action; develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and management controls; exercise sound independent judgement within general policy guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, contractors, consultants, vendors, and others encountered in the course of work; use tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people and customers both internal and external; collaborate and cooperate with other departments on companywide projects and initiatives; understand, interpret, explain, and adhere to federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes and TMWA policies, procedures, and rules; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; model and encourage open, honest, and direct communications both internal and external to department; encourage an organizational culture of inclusion and empower staff at all levels to take a solutions‑focused approach to resolve problems and implement appropriate conflict management strategies; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials; contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team, departmental and organizational goals, objectives, and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

TMWA is an equal opportunity employer. It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination. All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Disability Accommodations

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8207.

Safe Work Environment and Drug‑Free Workplace

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well‑being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well‑being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug‑free workplace policy.