Water Treatment Plant Supervisor

This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position offering a full-time benefits package. Starting salary range: $41.79 to $60.42 per hour.

About the role

Oversee and supervise the operation and maintenance of the City of Dover’s Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), booster pump stations, water storage tanks, and laboratory for drinking water testing and related processes. Provide day-to-day operational leadership of treatment systems, chemical management, regulatory compliance, emergency response, and staff supervision. This role ensures the continuous, safe, and compliant delivery of drinking water to the City, while building and maintaining a modern, efficient water treatment program.

Reports directly to the Director of Community Services, coordinating with the Superintendent of Utilities and/or Deputy Director of Community Services as needed. Works with considerable independence and discretion; performance is evaluated based on water quality, system reliability, regulatory compliance, emergency response effectiveness, and the achievement of departmental goals.

Directly supervises water treatment operators, lab technicians, and assigned staff. Provides operational guidance, training, and performance evaluation. Coordinates with consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other City divisions as required.

Responsibilities

• Ensure 24/7 uninterrupted provision of safe municipal drinking water.
• Manage day-to-day operation of WTPs, booster stations, water storage, and laboratory, including raw and finished water testing, process adjustments, and equipment monitoring.
• Direct and assign work to water operators, lab technicians, and other staff; provide training, performance evaluation, and operational guidance.
• Develop and maintain plans, procedures, and operational controls to ensure compliance with all federal (SDWA, EPA), state (NHDES), and local regulations.
• Maintain chemical programs including ordering, inventory, and proper handling of treatment chemicals.
• Lead emergency response for water system events, including hands-on operation, troubleshooting, and coordination with staff, Director of Community Services, and regulators.
• Oversee laboratory functions and ensure accurate sample collection, analysis, and reporting for potable water, including PFAS, manganese, iron, and other regulated or secondary contaminants.
• Maintain and update SCADA and process control systems; in crisis, capable of local/manual operation with multiple operators at wells, tanks, and treatment facilities.
• Review, prepare, and approve technical reports, permits, and regulatory submissions; coordinate inspections, source water assessments, and sanitary surveys.
• Compile and maintain water production records, operational logs, and support annual Water Audit/Balance preparation.
• Conduct preventive maintenance, repairs, and inspections of water treatment and pumping equipment.
• Assist with special projects, operational improvements, and cross-training of staff to ensure redundancy and coverage.
• Maintain professional interactions with coworkers, regulators, officials, and the public.
• Serve as technical advisor for water system operations, treatment methods, and regulatory matters.
• Other duties as required to maintain system reliability, compliance, and safety.

Work Environment

• Inside: 90% Outside: 10%
• Exposure to outside environment including sunlight, extreme temperature (hot/cold), wind, rain.
• Work is near moving mechanical parts and on or around electrical equipment.
• May be exposed to fumes, fuels, paints, solvents, fertilizers, airborne particles, pathogens, sludge, compost, and caustic or toxic chemicals.
• Typical work surfaces include: service counter; tables; desk & chair; carpet, tile, concrete and wood floors; ladders, stairs and scaffolding; outside surfaces including flat, sloped and uneven ground; within above and below ground confined spaces; within and above trenches; within operator cabs and on trucks and heavy equipment.
• Typical controls & equipment: keyboard/pad; computer mouse; electronic, mechanical, hydraulic control; analog and digital testing/measuring devices; radio/pager; motor vehicle.

Requirements

• Comprehensive knowledge of drinking water treatment, distribution systems, water quality regulations, and emergency response practices.
• Strong leadership, supervisory, and administrative skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply local, state, and federal water regulations.
• Proficiency in SCADA systems, water treatment process control, and corrosion control programs.
• Ability to prepare and review technical reports, budgets, and regulatory filings.
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, for interaction with staff, officials, regulators, and the public.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, or a related field is preferred, but extensive hands-on experience in water treatment and distribution operations may be considered an equivalent.
• A New Hampshire Grade III Water Treatment License is required, with a Grade IV License strongly preferred. A Grade IV Distribution License is also preferred.
• Candidates must hold a valid CDL-B with Air Brake and Tanker Endorsements.
• Demonstrate proficiency with SCADA systems, PLC programming, laboratory instrumentation, and water quality monitoring.
• Additional certifications in chemical handling, regulatory compliance, and emergency response are highly desirable.