Director, Pumping Operations - (25-DDCS-815006-112)

Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties in this description, and incumbent(s) may be required to perform work-related tasks other than those specifically listed in this description. This job description is not a “contract” between the employee and the Authority. The job duties and essential functions may be changed at the discretion of the General Manager.

General

Job Title:

Director, Pumping Operations

Job Code:

OA0178

Supervises Directly:

Yes

New or Revised:

Revised

Regular or At-Will:

At-Will

Date Last Revised:

5/13/2025

Exempt or Non-Exempt:

Exempt

Compensation Approval Signature:

Union/ Non-Union:

Non-Union

Department Name and Division:

Pumping-Operations, Operations

Salary Schedule:

Executive Grade

Cost Center Code:

815006

Grade:

ESSB

Essential Position:

Yes

Reports To:

Vice-President, Water & Sewer Operations

EEO Code:

Officials and Administrators

Work Format

Hybrid

Who We Are & What We Do:

At DC Water, we provide more than 700,000 District of Columbia residents and 24.6 million annual visitors with essential water, wastewater, and stormwater services. DC Water also provides wholesale wastewater treatment services for 1.8 million people in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. We aspire to be known for superior service, ingenuity, and stewardship to advance the health and well-being of our diverse workforce and communities. To achieve this vision, we commit to our shared mission every day—exceeding expectations by providing high quality water services in a safe, environmentally friendly, and efficient manner.

Role Description:

The Director, Pumping Operations is a senior-level leader responsible for strategic oversight, operational integrity, and regulatory compliance of all pumping systems within the water and wastewater utility. This role ensures the reliable movement of potable water, wastewater, and stormwater across the service area through effective management of pump stations, reservoirs, pressure regulating facilities, and force main systems. The Director, Pumping Operations leads a multidisciplinary team, manages complex infrastructure assets, and drives performance through innovation, preventative maintenance, and interdepartmental coordination.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

- Oversees the development and implementation of control measures to ensure the safety of the environment and the public through strict compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations—including the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, MS4 Permit, NPDES Permit, and requirements from governing bodies in Maryland and Virginia associated with the operation of the Potomac Interceptor.

- Authorizes and signs official compliance reports on behalf of DC Water, bearing legal responsibility for regulatory submissions.

- Assists with the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), ensuring effective pollution control beyond the plant boundaries as part of interceptor system management.

- Monitors and reports potable water loss in the distribution system and the daily combined sewer flow into the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant.

- Coordinates activities associated with SCADA and process control systems for the water distribution, wastewater, and stormwater collection systems.

- Directs staff in the coordination of outages, construction projects, control assignments, and maintenance activities at the Washington Aqueduct to ensure an uninterrupted supply of potable water.

- Ensures the operational integrity and performance of specialized infrastructure assets such as Fabridams, reservoirs, pump stations, tanks, and the Potomac Interceptor.

- Oversees and supports execution of high-value, complex contractual agreements specific to pumping operations and system rehabilitation.

- Directs the review, development, and implementation of design documents, technical plans, and specifications for assets such as pump stations, reservoirs, tanks, and pipelines.

- Leads comprehensive asset management programs, including preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance, with a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and system longevity.

- Oversees operational and process analysis for water, sewer, and stormwater pumping systems to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and integrate technological advancements.

- Directs the evaluation and implementation of emerging technologies (e.g., IoT, automation, smart monitoring systems) to improve operational resilience, performance, and sustainability.

- Develops and manages annual operating budgets, including oversight of expenditures for contractors, vendors, and departmental resources.

- Tracks emerging regulations, industry practices, and policy changes to inform capital planning, staffing, equipment procurement, and operational strategy.

- Manages the operational execution of emergency contractors and construction teams during system failures, infrastructure repairs, or planned interventions.

- Oversees long-term planning, including budgeting, resource allocation, and program goal setting for pumping operations.

- Collaborates with internal departments and stakeholders to coordinate infrastructure planning and operational integration.

- Leads and implements operational improvements that enhance system reliability, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.

- Evaluates and integrates emerging technologies and innovative practices to strengthen system performance and resilience.

- Monitors regulatory changes and industry developments to ensure proactive compliance and inform operational planning.

- Participates in executive-level planning and decision-making to align sewer initiatives with capital programs and enterprise strategy.

- Responds to operational challenges and emergencies while maintaining continuity of service.

- Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Water and Sewer Operations.

Supervisory Responsibilities : Provides daily planning and administration in the selection, assignment, supervision, promotion, discipline, and training of personnel within the department. Responsible for the success of the department and monitors and evaluates the progress of the department toward meeting goals, and makes adjusts in objectives, work plans, schedules, and commitment of resources.

Key Working Relationships : Interacts with high-ranking officials of the Authority and the Board. Attends and participates in meetings within the Authority, with Federal and private agencies, and with departments of the District of Columbia Government. Attends and represents the Authority at community meetings and resolves issues presented by the general public.

Skills & Qualifications:

The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for an individual to perform each essential responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable amounts of training are provided.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience:

Ten years (10) of progressive experience related to the management and/or operation of water delivery and wastewater collection systems or similar operations, with five (5) years of experience in a senior and/or executive management role.

Demonstrated success in leading multidisciplinary field teams responsible for operating and maintaining mechanical and electrical systems in a utility environment.

Experience fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Minimum Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as stated below:

Master’s degree and 8 years of progressively responsible experience in water utility operations (such as pumping, distribution, or treatment programs), or

High school diploma or GED equivalency and 14 years of progressively responsible experience in water utility operations (such as pumping, distribution, or treatment programs).

Required Skills:

In-depth knowledge of the operation and maintenance of pump stations, booster stations, lift stations, force mains, and pressure regulating systems.

Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical systems including motors, pumps, VFDs, control panels, and backup generators.

Strong understanding of SCADA systems, telemetry, remote monitoring, and PLC-based control systems.

Experience ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance (CMOM) requirements, and MS4 permitting.

Familiarity with reporting, permit management, and environmental monitoring protocols.

Proven experience developing and implementing preventative and predictive maintenance programs using CMMS platforms (e.g., Cityworks, Maximo).

Background in condition assessment and reliability-centered maintenance strategies for pumping infrastructure.

Experience supporting or managing capital improvement projects for pump station upgrades, equipment standardization, and energy efficiency initiatives.

Ability to collaborate with engineering teams on technical specifications, design reviews, and commissioning processes.

Strong background in budget development, equipment procurement, vendor management, and cost control for large operational programs.

Experience managing third-party maintenance contracts and specialized service providers.

Skilled at cross-functional coordination with water distribution, wastewater collections, treatment, engineering, and emergency response teams.

Experience presenting operational updates, project statuses, and compliance summaries to senior leadership and regulatory bodies.

Proven track record of leveraging data to optimize maintenance schedules, reduce overflows, and extend asset life.

Demonstrated ability to improve cost efficiency, manage overtime, and align resources to organizational priorities.

Experience managing labor relations including union negotiations and performance management.

Required Licenses & Certifications:

Must possess and maintain current ABC certification, Distribution Systems Operator IV, Collection Systems Operator IV or equivalent MD or VA certification.

Required Languages:

English

Physical Requirements:

General office conditions

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

N/A

Preferred Education Requirements:

N/A

Preferred Skills:

N/A

The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.*

Your Experience at DC Water:

At DC Water, our people make us an industry leader. Join a group of thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers focused on protecting life’s most precious resource in the nation’s capital.

- Take pride in your work. We provide an essential service and do work that matters. A career at DC Water is an exciting opportunity to help improve the environment and make a lasting difference for the community.

- Connect to a strong culture. Everything we do is grounded in our shared values—accountability, trust, teamwork, customer focus, safety, and wellbeing.

- Be your true self. We are an inclusive organization that embraces diversity, and we recognize and celebrate employees’ individuality and unique contributions.

- Build your skills and career path. We are committed to developing a future-ready workforce by helping our employees develop skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities.”

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to

perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please

email complianceada@dcwater.com .