Assistant Utilities Operations Manager

Why Tumwater?
Tumwater is more than just a city, its a vibrant community rooted in history and filled with opportunity. Located at the southern gateway to the Seattle-Tacoma metro area, Tumwater offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-picture vision.

Surrounded by the natural beauty of Puget Sound, prairie landscapes, rivers, and evergreen forests, were just over an hour from ocean beaches, the Olympic Peninsula, and Mount Rainier. Whether youre into hiking, kayaking, brewery-hopping, or live music, youll find easy access to it all.

Here in Tumwater, were building a future thats highly livable, connected, and inclusive. With safe neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a deep sense of civic pride, its not just a great place to live, its a great place to grow your career.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Utilities Operations Manager supports the daily operation, maintenance, and oversight of municipal drinking water, wastewater and, stormwater systems. This role ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, assists with project planning and staff supervision, and helps manage infrastructure improvements and emergency response operations. Were committed to building resilient, future-ready infrastructure and empowering our teams to innovate and grow. If youre a collaborative leader with a passion for public service and water sustainability, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of our communitys water resources.

Working closely with the Utilities Operations Manager, this role helps lead and develop teams, implements asset management and preventative maintenance programs, coordinates capital improvement initiatives, and ensures service continuity, emergency response preparedness, and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations. This position also works closely with the Deputy Director on project coordination and asset management.

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Assist in managing daily operations of drinking water, sanitary sewer, and stormwater systems, ensuring safe, compliant, and reliable services.
• Implement operational policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and preventive maintenance programs.
• Monitor system performance metrics and initiate corrective actions when needed.
• Provide leadership and direction to utilities staff, including field crew leaders, technicians, and operators.
• Implements and updates asset management systems and preventative maintenance programs.
• Acts as designated Water Distribution Manager and Water Treatment Plant Operator for purpose of regulatory compliance and operation for the drinking water system.
• Support training and professional development programs to build technical expertise and leadership capacity.
• Foster a safety-first, inclusive, and accountable workplace culture.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal safety standards, including those of the EPA, State Department of Health, Department of Ecology, and State Department of Labor and Industries.
• Assist with preparation and submitting regulatory reports and permits.
• Coordinate audits, inspections, and responses to state and federal compliance actions.
• Assist in planning and implementing capital improvement projects, infrastructure upgrades, and system optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering and GIS teams to maintain accurate infrastructure data and asset management plans.
• Monitor project timelines, budgets, and contractor performance.
• Support community outreach and communication related to water conservation, service interruptions, and emergency preparedness.
• Respond to customer inquiries and assist with issue resolution.
• Represent the department in interagency meetings and public forums as needed.
• Serve in an on-call capacity for emergencies, coordinate response efforts during utility service disruptions or severe weather events.
• Support the development and execution of emergency response and continuity of operations plans.

Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of municipal drinking water treatment and distribution, sanitary sewer collection and stormwater systems, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Extensive knowledge of the methods and procedures commonly used in operations, maintenance, repair, and construction of drinking water, sanitary sewer, stormwater systems, and other related programs.
• Strong leadership, team building, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in data analysis, SCADA systems, GIS, and work order management software.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, solve complex problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Commitment to public service and environmental sustainability.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates degree or technical training in utilities operation and maintenance, related field, or any equivalent combination of experience and training.

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to personnel and program management, including at least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role.
• Must have a valid Washington State Drivers License at the time of hire and maintain throughout employment.
• Maintain good driving record as required by City policy.

Preferred:

• Bachelors degree in construction management, civil engineering, operations management, or a related field.

• Experience operating, maintaining, and repairing public drinking water, sanitary sewer and stormwater utilities.
• Proven success in strategic planning, asset management system implementation, and performance metrics development.
• Familiarity with GIS, SCADA, MUNIS, and utility benchmarking tools.
• Municipal government experience is strongly preferred.

Training/Licenses/Certifications:

• State-issued Water Distribution Manager 3 and Water Treatment Plant Operator 2 certifications.
• Project Management Certification (PMP) or similar credential desirable.

Contacts:

As an Assistant Utilities Operations Manager, frequent and varied interactions occur with internal staff, including utility crews, supervisors, engineers, and administrative personnel, as well as with external stakeholders such as contractors, regulatory agencies, and members of the public. These encounters often take place under routine operational conditions but may also occur during emergencies or service disruptions, requiring calm, informed decision-making. The role demands a high level of professionalism, clear communication, and responsiveness, especially when addressing public concerns or coordinating with other departments. Decisions are expected to be timely, technically sound, and aligned with organizational policies, with a strong emphasis on delivering reliable, courteous, and efficient service.

Supervision:

Direct supervision is typically provided by the Utilities Operations Manager with regular oversight occurring on a daily to weekly basis, depending on operational needs and project timelines. Performance evaluations are conducted annually by the same supervisor, incorporating feedback from peers and subordinates when applicable. These evaluations assess leadership effectiveness, operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service quality, ensuring alignment with departmental goals and community expectations.

Accountability:

The Assistant Utilities Operations Manager holds a high level of responsibility for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of utility systems, including water distribution, wastewater collection, stormwater systems, and related infrastructure. This role is accountable for maintaining service reliability, protecting public health and environmental quality, and supporting regulatory compliance. Accountability is exercised daily through operational decisions, emergency response coordination, and supervision of field staff. The position requires sound judgment under both routine and high-pressure conditions, with frequent reporting and performance tracking to ensure alignment with organizational goals and service standards.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed in both office and field environments, requiring regular exposure to outdoor elements such as weather, noise, and operational hazards associated with utility systems and construction zones. The position may involve navigating uneven terrain, confined spaces, or high-traffic areas while overseeing field operations. In addition to standard weekday hours, the Assistant Utilities Operations Manager may be required to work evenings, weekends, or respond to emergencies, including system failures or severe weather events, to ensure continuous utility service and public safety.

Physical requirements:

The Assistant Utilities Operations Manager position requires the ability to perform a range of physical tasks in both office and field settings.

General physical requirements include:

• Mobility to move around construction sites, treatment facilities, and office environments.
• Ability to lift and carry objects typically up to 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity to operate tools, equipment, and computers.
• Visual acuity to read instruments, gauges, and technical documents.
• Hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person and over radios or phones.
• Stamina to work extended hours during emergencies or field inspections.
• Balance and coordination to navigate uneven terrain, ladders, and confined spaces safely.

Specific physical requirements and typical working conditions for this position are on file in the Administrative Services Department.

The City of Tumwater is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

The City of Tumwater is committed to wellness, safety, the environment and racial equity.