Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager

The City of Edmonds is currently recruiting for a Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager. Due to the urgent need the City is recruiting for both a temporary and regular employee at the same time. Interested and qualified candidates may submit their application for one or both positions depending on their interest. To view the temporary Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager posting please visit our jobs page at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/edmondswa

Applications for the regular Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager position received through Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 4:30 PM will receive priority first review. This posting will remain open until the position is filled and may be closed at any time a qualified candidate is selected.

About the Position
Under administrative direction, plans, organizes and coordinates the operations and maintenance activities of the City’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant; ensures requirements and permits are in compliance with local, State and Federal agencies; administers agreements with other regional agencies in the regional plant; manages the pre-treatment program; and supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned staff.

New hires generally start between $11,261.50 and $12,415.50 per month. Placement within the position’s full wage scale is based on qualifications and professional experience. The full wage scale for this position is between $11,261.50 and $15,091.00 per month.

About the Department
The Edmonds Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a regional facility. The plant maintains an accredited laboratory where the chemical, physical, and bacteriological processes that treat the wastewater are analyzed. The majority of staff require specialized training, knowledge, experience, and certifications. Based on need, the plant is staffed 14 to 24 hours/day, 365 days/year.

About the City
The City of Edmonds is a beautiful community on the Puget Sound waterfront with a population of 43,420 (MRSC, 2024) and is the gateway to the Olympic peninsula via the state ferry system. Edmonds provides a full range of services, including contracted fire services, police services a municipal court, a community pool, a regional performing arts facility, public works and utilities, a regional wastewater treatment facility, along with community events and services through our Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services Department. Six department directors report directly to the Mayor and oversee approximately 266 full–time-equivalent employees.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plans, organizes and coordinates a variety of programs, projects and activities related to the operation and maintenance of the City’s wastewater treatment plant and designs new plant processes.
• Manages, coordinates and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects employees and recommends transfers, reassignments, terminations and disciplinary actions.
• Plans, coordinates and arranges for appropriate training and development plans for plant staff; participates in union meetings and negotiations as directed.
• Supervise, coaches, trains and motivates staff utilizing a participative workplace leadership model.
• Plans, organizes and implements long and short-term programs and activities, including: the plant safety program and employee awareness program, the odor response and complaint program and a public information program.
• Assures compliance with permit regulations; reviews and processes data, monitors results and develops operating strategies and procedures; troubleshoots problems and identify corrective actions.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records and files related to assigned activities and personnel.
• Develops and prepares the budget for O&M and the Capital Improvement program; controls and authorizes expenditures in accordance with established limitations and establishes cost sharing of O&M and capital expenses for each agency.
• Administers Capital Improvement projects; determines needs and makes recommendations to Council, prepares, advertises, receives, and awards bids according to established procedures; oversees projects and approves final payments.
• Communicates with other administrators, personnel and outside organizations to coordinate plant activities and programs, resolves issues and conflicts and exchanges information.
• Administers agreements with other agencies in the regional plant and oversees a regional pre-treatment program for Edmonds and other agencies.
• Supervises field personnel.
• Works with the City’s building department and determines compliance needs for area businesses; provides technical expertise, information and assistance to the Director regarding assigned functions; assists as needed in the formulation and development of policies, procedures and programs.
• Provides operational leadership to assure standards are met for productivity, efficiency, continuous quality improvement, customer satisfaction and teamwork.
• Operates a computer and other office equipment as assigned, maintains current knowledge of plant instrumentation and control systems, and drives a vehicle to various sites to inspect work.
• Attends and conducts a variety of meetings as assigned and represents the City at a variety of meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or related field and six years of experience in wastewater treatment plant operations at an advanced, secondary treatment facility that includes three years of staff supervisory and budgetary responsibility; preferably in a municipal or public sector environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which allows the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the position may also be considered.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• A valid Driver’s License and a driving record that is acceptable to the City’s insurance requirements are required for any position that will drive for City business.
• State of Washington Class IV Wastewater Operator Certificate at time of hire.
• CPR and First Aid card within six months of hire.
• A criminal background check is required following a verbal offer of employment. Criminal history is not an automatic employment disqualifier. Results are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Other Requirements:

• This is a City-identified non-DOT safety sensitive position and requires a pre-employment drug screening.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

• Indoor/outdoor work environment.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
• Working in a confined or classified space.

Physical Abilities:

• Hearing, speaking or otherwise communicating to exchange information in person or on the phone.
• Operating a variety of grounds equipment and power and hand tools.
• Operating a computer keyboard or other office equipment.
• Reading a variety of materials and instruments and utilizing close vision, far vision, side vision, depth perception, night vision and color vision.
• Ascending/descending ladders
• Lifting/ carrying or otherwise moving or transporting heavy objects frequently up to 50lbs.
• Sitting/standing or otherwise remaining in a stationary position for extended periods of time
• Walking or otherwise moving over rough or uneven surfaces while performing inspections and investigations.
• Performing repetitive motions, including balancing, stooping, kneeling, bending, crouching, crawling, reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally, and standing, pushing, pulling and using stairs.
• Working in tight spaces.
• Ability to wear appropriate personal protective equipment based on required City Policy.

Hazards:

• Exposure to chemicals used in Wastewater treatment such as: Sodium Hypochlorite, Caustic Soda, Bisulfate, Polymers, Clay, Lime and Carbon.
• Exposure to raw and treated sewage, odors associated with sewage treatment, high heat and moving equipment.
• Exposure to cleaning chemicals, herbicides and dust.
• Working at heights using ladders and structures
• Working around and with sometimes noisy machinery having moving parts
• Exposure to slippery surfaces, damp spaces while cleaning in and around equipment.
• Exposure to electrical power supply and high voltage.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $135,138.00 - $181,092.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person