Pumps & Controls Supervisor

About Us

The City of Salem is the capital of Oregon and the second largest city in the state, spanning 49 square miles across Marion and Polk counties. With nearly 180,000 residents, Salem features well-established neighborhoods, historic buildings, and a family-friendly community. The Public Works Department is one of eight primary city departments, employing roughly 1,350 staff members dedicated to sustaining vital services for the community.

About the Role

Lead a team of 12 technical and vocational professionals responsible for operating and maintaining the backbone of Salem’s water distribution and wastewater collection systems. This role ensures the reliable supply of safe drinking water and efficient wastewater conveyance to the Willow Lake Pollution Control Facility, directly impacting public health and the local economy.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the operation and maintenance of:
  • 21 water pump stations
  • 19 water reservoirs
  • 30 sewer pump (lift) stations
  • Pumps and controls at the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility and Aquifer Storage Recovery Facility
  • Landscape maintenance of water distribution and wastewater collection facilities
  • The City’s Waste Processing Facility (septage/leachate receiving, hydrovac wastes, street sweepings, construction debris)
  • Central SCADA system, including instrumentation, monitors, controls, and telemetry
• Plan, prioritize, and direct the work of a team dedicated to pump stations and reservoirs.
• Create operating budgets, track expenditures, purchase materials, and collaborate with contractors, vendors, and consultants.
• Recruit, hire, mentor, coach, train, evaluate, and discipline personnel as needed.
• Respond to unplanned urgent and emergency situations, such as equipment failures, water main breaks, sanitary sewer overflows, power outages, floods, and other incidents.

Requirements

• Must pass a pre-employment background check.
• Must possess or obtain an Oregon Driver license with a driving record meeting City standards.
• Must hold a valid Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License or obtain one within six months if applying from out-of-state.
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university (or graduation from an accredited technical/vocational program) in a related field (e.g., engineering technology, electrical/electronics, HVAC, plumbing) and five years of supervisory experience in a related field. Equivalent combinations of education, experience, and training may be considered.

Qualifications

Required knowledge, skills, and experience:

• Operation and maintenance of motors, submersible pumps, variable frequency drives, actuators, valves, monitors, sensors, and related equipment for water and sewer pump stations and reservoirs.
• Operation of a SCADA system and associated instrumentation, monitoring, and telemetry.
• Safety protocols for working with a Limited Maintenance Electrician’s license, confined spaces, arc flash prevention, and bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Water Distribution Operator and/or Water Treatment Operator Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 certifications.
• Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Wastewater Collection Systems Operator and/or Wastewater Treatment Level 1, 2, 3, or 4 certifications.
• Experience working with SCADA systems and associated instrumentation, monitoring, and telemetry.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.

Schedule

• Normal working hours: Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Occasional work outside normal hours may be required.
• Flexible schedule may be available with manager approval.
• Remote work option: one day per week, with manager approval.

Pay

The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range, determined by your experience, skills, and education.