Chief Plant Operator
Salary: $156,884.26 - $216,266.44 Annually
Location: CA 92694), CA
Job Type: Full-Time Non Represented
Job Number: 2026-7
Department: Operations
Division: Water Treatment
Closing: 3/5/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description
Join our team as a Chief Plant Operator!
Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a highly experienced and technically skilled Chief Plant Operator to lead the day-to-day operations of its water and/or wastewater treatment facilities. This full-time, represented role is vital to ensuring safe, efficient, and regulatory-compliant treatment operations that protect public health and the environment while supporting system reliability and organizational goals.
This position combines advanced operational expertise with supervisory responsibility and plays a central role in maintaining high standards of treatment performance, safety, and continuous process improvement.
About the Role
As Chief Plant Operator, you will plan, organize, manage, and participate in the comprehensive operations of the District's treatment plants and related facilities. You will supervise plant operations staff, monitor processes, ensure compliance with permits and regulatory requirements, and provide leadership in both routine and emergency operational activities. This is a senior-level working supervisory role, requiring deep technical knowledge and proven leadership in a treatment plant environment.
Meet Santa Margarita Water District
Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.
Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD's goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies.
Santa Margarita Water District's values include:
- Exemplary service excellence
- Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
- Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
- Environmental and resource stewardship
- Employee development and leadership training
- Building relationships that strengthen communities
Essential Functions
What You Will Do
- Oversee 24/7 treatment plant operations, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, or both
- Supervise, train, and evaluate plant operations staff; assign and monitor work performance
- Monitor treatment processes, SCADA systems, chemical feed systems, filtration, disinfection, and instrumentation to ensure compliance with operational and regulatory standards
- Manage recordkeeping, sampling schedules, operational logs, and regulatory reporting
- Troubleshoot process and equipment issues and make timely operational decisions
- Coordinate preventative and corrective maintenance activities to support plant reliability
- Liaise with engineers, contractors, and internal departments on plant improvements, modifications, and inspections
- Enforce safety procedures and participate in emergency response activities
- Participate in budget preparation, operational planning, and performance improvement initiatives
What You Bring
- Advanced knowledge of treatment plant processes, equipment, and regulatory requirements
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to mentor and support staff
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, including during emergency conditions
- Proficiency with SCADA, instrumentation, and treatment process control tools
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across divisions
Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines
Education, Experience, and Certifications
High school diploma or GED and six (6) years of progressively responsible treatment plant operations experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory role, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Appropriate California State Water Resources Control Board operator certifications are required based on assignment. A valid California Class C driver's license and required safety certifications must be maintained.
Other Necessary Requirements/Additional Information
To view full job description click here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/smwdca/classspecs/1520861?keywords=chief%20plant%20operator&pagetype=classSpecifications
To apply, please visit https://apptrkr.com/6955731
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