JOB: Water Plant Supervisor

Water Plant Supervisor

City of Grand Ledge 
Salary Range: $70,541 - $82,162

Supervised By: Public Works Superintendent

Supervises:  Department of Public Services (DPS) staff and others as assigned.

General Summary:   

Under the general direction of the Public Works Superintendent, directs and facilitates the work, planning, scheduling, laboratory, and record keeping of the water plant. Manages and directs the operation and maintenance of the City’s water plant to meet all State and Federal regulatory criteria. Supervises, plans, and coordinates the operation, maintenance, and repair of the facility. Plans and coordinates work schedules, prioritizes projects, and communicates effectively with employees, contractors, and the general public. Supervises assigned employees. Serves in an on-call status, facilitating and supervising the emergency operations of the plant in conjunction with other supervisory personnel.  

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Plans, coordinates, and supervises the administration and daily operations of the Water Plant. Develops and implements procedures to ensure the efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of water treatment equipment. Receives and prioritizes work orders, assigns tasks to staff, and coordinates activities with other divisions within Public Services as needed. Assists with planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating all aspects of water pumping, treatment, and distribution systems, and helps develop and implement policies and procedures in accordance with departmental directives, City guidelines, and all applicable State of Michigan drinking water rules and regulations.  
2. Instructs, trains, supervises, evaluates, and assists in recruiting and hiring assigned personnel. Ensure employees are properly trained in operations and safety procedures.  Inspects work projects to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and practices while assuring deadlines are met.  Provides information, feedback, and assistance to others within the department to refine work outputs and resolve problems. Provides technical advice and assistance to employees on complex or unusual work assignments.
3. Plans, supervises, facilitates, and records all facility-related activities.  Coordinates work with utility companies, contractors, and other City departments.
4. Assists in preparing budget figures and objectives for the Water Plant.
5. Prepares usage, flow, and other related reports for City, County, state, and federal agencies. Ensures compliance with applicable State, Federal, and local regulations regarding municipal water treatment. Oversees laboratory analysis, data collection, and records management. Compiles regular reports on operations and water quality.
6. Conducts research, compiles information, and prepares reports at the request of the Public Works Superintendent. Represents the Public Works Department at various meetings and makes presentations as assigned.  
7. Assists in assessing the need for private contracting of special projects and services, participates in the contracting process, and provides project oversight and quality control as directed.
8. Operates light and heavy equipment, tools, and vehicles in support of various projects associated with the department or other departments as needed.  Performs snow removal activities as assigned, including emergency snow removal.
9. Coordinates work with Public Works Superintendent and provides project assistance as needed.
10. Availability to respond to weather and infrastructure emergencies, and water alarms as situations may dictate.  Provides on-call duty if necessary. 
11. May be assigned temporarily to other departments to perform duties that utilize the individual employee’s skills and abilities.  In this situation, the employee may perform duties specified in any Public Services Department job description.
12.  Performs related duties and special projects as needed.
13. These examples do not include all of the duties that the employee may be expected to perform.  

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills, abilities, and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job. • Educational requirements include a high school diploma or equivalent; a college degree is preferred in an applicable field.

• Experience requirements include five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public works functions, water distribution/treatment, including supervisory experience.
• A State of Michigan Class S2 water distribution certificate and Class D2 limited water treatment certificate are required. Consideration given to obtain both the Michigan Class S3 water distribution certificate and D3 limited water treatment certificate within one year of employment.
• A valid Michigan driver’s license and the ability to obtain a Michigan Commercial Driver’s License Class A with air brake endorsement within one (1) year.
• Ability to exercise good judgement, initiative, and resourcefulness in dealing with the public, elected officials, community leaders, and other professionals.
• Knowledge of the machines, equipment, materials, safety precautions, and operating practices of modern water systems and related equipment.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and perform job functions during non-standard business hours.
• Knowledge of the Safe Drinking Water Act, Act 399 P.A. 1977, and related legislation.
• Ability to effectively train, lead, motivate, evaluate, and discipline employees under emergency and non-emergency conditions.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and individually.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare comprehensive reports on the operations of the plant.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, contractors, other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Substantial knowledge of electronic controllers and electric circuits.
• Ability to critically assess situations and solve problems, and to work effectively under stress, within deadlines, and with changes in work priorities.
• Ability to perform a broad range of maintenance and repair functions.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with minimal direction.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employees encounter while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate with others in person, via phone calls, text, and email, review and produce written and electronic documents and drawings, and attend meetings at locations throughout the City. The employee is frequently required to inspect work in progress at locations throughout the City and occasionally required to lift and/or move objects of moderate to heavy weight, operate hand and power tools, traverse uneven ground, and perform work at varying heights and in all light conditions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to high-pressure water systems, sanitary sewer, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; moving mechanical parts and/or heavy equipment; outside weather conditions; vibration; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment ranges from moderate to very loud. 

Application:

This class specification is intended merely to identify the class and illustrate the kinds of duties that may be assigned to its incumbents. It should not be interpreted as describing all the duties whose performance may ever be required of such employees or to limit the nature and extent of assignments such an individual may be given.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

December 5, 2025 **In addition to the regular vacation accrual, this position will receive an additional forty (40) hours of vacation time per year, in accordance with section 4.8 of the Personnel Manual.   

First Review of Resumes Begin January 8, 2026
TO APPLY: Submit application (on website), resume, five (5) professional references, and letter of introduction to Amee King, Assistant City Manager at aking@cityofgrandledge.com