System Operations Manager (0941) – Water Supply Treatment Division - SFPUC (165491)
City and County of San Francisco · Millbrae, California, United States
This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.
- Application Opening Date: October 26, 2026
- Application Filing Deadline: Application filing will be open at least through Monday, November 9, 2026, and will close any time thereafter
- Recruitment ID: PBT-0941-165491/ RTF0165490-01108225
- Location: 1000 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030
WHO ARE WE?
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC)
Headquartered in San Francisco, we have 2,300 employees operating across eight counties serving more than 2.7 million customers in the San Francisco Bay Area – 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Our Mission: To provide our customers with high quality, efficient, and reliable water, power, and wastewater services in a manner that values environmental and community interests and sustains the resources entrusted to our care.
Our Vision: We are an innovative utility leader, recognized for excellent results in service, safety, stewardship, and inclusiveness.
We are an award-winning and industry-leading utilities organization committed to our customers, community interests, and the environment. To learn more about our organization, please visit our website at https://www.sfpuc.org/.
We are proud of our infrastructure and programs, but most importantly, we value our highly qualified and dedicated workforce which ensures that this vision becomes a reality.
To learn more about working at the SFPUC, visit our career site here.
The System Operations Manager at the Water Supply and Treatment Division manages the operations of the Regional Water System (RWS); directs, supervises and develops System Operations Section personnel; manages the maintenance of the Division’s water treatment, pumping, monitoring and control facilities; oversees administration of budgeting, contracting and personnel processes required to maintain the availability of adequate resources needed to assure continuity and quality of the vital services performed by the System Operations Section. This position has direct responsibility for the operation and maintenance of public drinking water facilities, which remain in service on a 24-hour-per-day/7-days-per-week basis.
Essential duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Manage the operations of Regional Water System (RWS): plan, organize, direct and control Water Supply and Treatment Division facility operations in coordination with other Water Enterprise operating Divisions, wholesale customer agencies and regional partners, to ensure the achievement of SFPUC objectives related to customer service, operational efficiency, RWS facilities stewardship and protection of the environment;
- Establish effective and cooperative working relationships with other department personnel, customers, and other agencies;
- Prepare and present effective communications; evaluate, plan for and monitor results of technical analyses, scheduling, resource deployment, communications, and training required for successful operation and maintenance of the RWS.
- Direct, Supervise and Develop RWS Operations Section (SysOps) Personnel: delegate and assign Section objectives and areas of responsibilities to subordinate staff;
- Provide the training and supervisorial oversight that staff need to succeed;
- Ensure staff have sufficient coaching and consultation through regular one-on-one sessions and timely and fair evaluation through formal performance reviews;
- Establish/interpret policies and ensure that they are understood and implemented; utilize the hiring process to ensure adequate staffing and smooth succession;
- Utilize the disciplinary process to enforce work standards; utilize contracting processes to supplement the Section’s labor force and skillset as needed.
- Manage the Maintenance of System Operations Facilities: direct all maintenance activities needed to ensure safe, reliable, compliant and efficient functioning of System Operations facilities – treatment plants, pump stations, the SCADA system and the interties;
- Coordinate with the Division’s Distribution, Maintenance, and Business Operations Sections to involve their resources in the maintenance of SysOps facilities as needed;
- Identify capital improvements needed for operational reliability, efficiency and regulatory compliance;
- Manage, Administer and Represent the Division and the SFPUC: administer budgets, contracts and personnel processes as required to sustain Section services;
- Assist in preparation and implementation of Division policies and procedures; serve temporarily in the Division Manager capacity as needed; and
- Represent SFPUC with high-level political officials, administrative officials, various department heads, as well as educational institutions regarding matters concerned with water treatment and purification.
Ideal Candidate and Competencies:
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record and ability to exercise the following leadership competencies which are critical for success in the role.
- Adaptability: Adjusts, perseveres, and succeeds in meeting objectives despite rapidly shifting environment, demands, and resources. Reacts appropriately to changing conditions or priorities. Alters approaches to most effectively address different situations and people. Responds positively to tasks and situations outside of comfort zone
- Decision Making and Problem Solving: Takes ownership of problems and makes timely, responsible, transparent, and clear decisions. involves others in addressing problems and seeking solutions. Gathers relevant information and conducts appropriate analyses. Understands the impact of decisions.
- Innovation: Creates a thriving culture in which employees feel both safe and encouraged to explore new ideas and improve existing ones; develops new insights, questions conventional approaches, and encourages others to develop new ideas and innovations.
- Risk Management: Understands personal responsibility for managing risks and takes precaution in avoiding preventable risks. Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks seen as impacting the organization's achievement of strategic goals and objectives. Ensures self and others are following procedures that prevent avoidable operational, financial, legal, or health and safety risks.
- Strategic Planning: Formulates objectives and priorities, implements plans, and allocates resources to achieve the long-term goals of the organization.
- Talent Management: Builds and develops a highly-skilled workforce based on organizational goals, budget considerations, and staffing needs. Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited and provides resources and support to ensure that the workforce is able to meet current and future business needs.
Minimum Qualifications: Minimum qualifications reflect the lowest level of acceptable education and/or experience required of an individual such that the individual reasonably could be expected to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position. Candidates must meet all the requirements established by the MQs to be considered for the position.
- Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university; AND
- Experience: Four (4) years of verified managerial experience in the oversight of operations, engineering, or regulatory compliance of water treatment facilities, of which all must include supervisory experience; AND
- License/Certification: - Possession of a State of California Grade V Water Treatment Operator Certificate or a California Professional Engineering license; AND
- Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Education Substitution: Additional qualifying experience performing professional-level managerial experience in the oversight of operations, engineering, or regulatory compliance of water treatment facilities, of which all must include supervisory experience may substitute the required education on a year-for-year basis. One (1) year (2000