Water Operations Manager at Mesa Water District (Mesa Water) – Costa Mesa, California

The District is seeking an exceptional leader to serve as our next Water Operations Manager, a pivotal executive role at the forefront of delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality water service to our community. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our water utility, overseeing the full spectrum of operations including production, distribution, capital improvement projects, regulatory compliance, and emergency preparedness.

As a key member of the District’s leadership team, the Water Operations Manager will drive operational strategy, lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams, and steward complex budgets and infrastructure investments. This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact – ensuring operational excellence today while planning and building for tomorrow.

We are looking for a forward-thinking water utility professional with deep technical expertise, strong leadership experience, and a proven ability to thrive in a dynamic, highly regulated environment. If you are passionate about public service, operational innovation, and leading teams that keep communities running, we encourage you to apply!

Core Competencies

• Operations Leadership – Demonstrated expertise in managing comprehensive water production, treatment, and distribution systems, including regulatory compliance, water quality, and system reliability.
• Strategic Planning & Decision-Making – Ability to develop departmental goals, operational strategies, and long-range plans that align with District objectives, regulatory requirements, and resource constraints.
• People Management – Proven experience leading supervisors and technical staff, fostering a positive work culture, setting clear expectations, and supporting employee development and accountability.
• Capital Project Management – Strong background overseeing complex infrastructure and capital improvement projects, including scope development, scheduling, budgeting, contractor coordination, and compliance with design and safety standards.
• Budgeting – Experience preparing, administering, and monitoring large and complex operational and capital budgets; ability to manage expenditures and allocate resources effectively.
• Regulatory Compliance – In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local water regulations, permitting requirements, and environmentally sensitive project coordination.
• Operational Expertise – Working knowledge of water system planning, SCADA systems, water supply forecasting, distribution operations, and treatment processes.
• Emergency Response – Ability to lead operational response to system emergencies, support disaster preparedness planning, and ensure continuity of service.
• Collaboration – Skill in working effectively with peers, elected officials, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and the public to advance District projects and priorities.
• Communication & Professional Judgment – Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences and exercise sound, independent judgment.

Why Join Mesa Water
Mesa Water District offers an exceptional opportunity for professionals who are passionate about public service and water utility excellence. Located in beautiful Costa Mesa, CA, the District is committed to delivering safe, reliable water while leveraging cutting-edge water technologies and advancing sustainable, innovative water management practices. Employees work alongside dedicated, highly skilled professionals in a supportive and inclusive environment that values leadership, collaboration, and professional development. Mesa Water District offers generous compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, along with meaningful work that directly impacts the community and contributes to the long-term success and resilience of the region’s water system.

Interested candidates must submit applications by March 17, 2026. Selection process will consist of interview panels/assessment and the final candidate will be subject to a drug test.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Water Operations Department services and activities including production, distribution, building and grounds maintenance, cross-connection control, environmental health and safety, and water quality functions.
• Manages the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, and priorities for each assigned service area; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Directs, assigns, and monitors the work of assigned staff members; provides clear, concise, and consistent direction; maintains a positive and productive work environment; as assigned, evaluates work performance according to District standards and recommends and implements appropriate corrective actions as necessary.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Establishes within District policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Tracks water use; performs water system planning and supply forecasting; coordinates water use programs with other agencies.
• Directs and supervises new installations and changes to existing treatment and production facilities as well as SCADA system.
• Supervises, oversees, and participates in complex construction project administration and ensures compliance with design specifications, codes, and District and other regulatory standards; develops, reviews and approves projects schedules and budget; monitors and controls expenditures.
• Prepares and administers new and existing contracts; responsible for the development of requests for proposals; reviews bids/proposals and recommends bid awards; monitors and coordinates construction and professional services contracts; reviews amendments and issues and approves change orders; oversees submittals, requests for information and approves payment requests.
• Participates in water supply and distribution system planning, construction, and improvement projects as well as capital project management; coordinates with the Engineering Department for water supply and distribution system planning, improvement, and capital project management.
• Coordinates environmentally sensitive District projects with requirements of a variety of regulatory agencies; prepares and develops plans and permit applications; ensures projects are compliant with regulatory requirements; prepares progress reports as necessary.
• Plans, develops, implements, and manages water operations projects; monitors and verifies progress on milestones, performing independent cost estimates and making recommendations on project items.
• Reviews complex plans and specifications for a variety of capital improvement projects; consults with other departments, contractors and consultants.
• Represents the Water Operations Department to other departments, elected officials, outside agencies, and the general public; coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; coordinates projects with utility companies, cities, contractors, service providers, and other water agencies.
• Participates in activities related to the District’s disaster preparedness programs including emergency response plan and the operations of the emergency operations center.
• Provides staff assistance to executive management; researches, analyzes, writes and presents a variety of technical reports; interprets technical reports for non- technical personnel, Board members and others; prepares or directs preparation of contracts.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings, boards, commissions, and committees; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of water utility administration; incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Oversees the responses to work-day and after-hours system emergencies; ensures all appropriate precautions are taken and operations are restored in a timely manner.
• May serve as Chief Operator for the water system and/or treatment facility.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

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

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work physical science, environmental science, civil engineering, public policy, business administration, or a related field.

Experience: Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional water utility experience, including five years of management and administrative responsibility.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Valid class “C” California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of Water Distribution Operator Grade D5 Certification issued by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
• Possession of a Water Treatment Grade T2 Certification issued by SWRCB.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive water utility operations program.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Water system construction techniques and approaches.
• Operations, services, and activities of an engineering and construction program.
• Principles and practices of construction planning, design, and water production, treatment and distribution, and other hydraulic projects.
• Principles and practices of project management, and contract negotiations and administration.
• Principles and practices of project budget preparation and control.
• Principles and practices of water supply development, chemical and biological aspects of water pollution and local water challenges, including their relationship to state and regional plans.
• County groundwater, District groundwater, and basin management principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of the economics of water resources planning.
• Principles of business and technical writing and report preparation.
• Records management principles and practices.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed

Ability To:

• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the department and the District.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor a Department or project budget; prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Perform complex computations and calculations.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports.
• Research, review, update, and revise existing ordinances, policies, and design standards.
• Analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of District management, staff, member agencies, external agencies and the general public.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and District in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.