Director, Production (Water/Wastewater Operations)
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
Position Information
Functional TitleDirector, Production (Water/Wastewater Operations)
Recruitment Category TypeExecutive
Functional CategoryProduction
GradeEX. 3
FLSA StatusExempt
Requisition Number26-0007
Number of Vacancies1
Job LevelDirector
Job CodeN/A
Job Description Summary
Production Dept. Director
Organization NameDepartment Office
Reports toDeputy General Manager, Operations
Full or Part TimeFull Time
If Part Time how many hours per week
Regular or TemporaryRegular
Position End Date (if temporary)
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday; additional hours required as needed, including emergencies.
Position LocationLaurel
Position Summary Information
General Summary
TheDirector, Production (Water/Wastewater Operations)provides strategic leadership and direction for the Production Team, overseeing key functional areas includingwater and wastewater operations, maintenance of industrial assets, asset management, systems and process control, laboratory services, water quality management, and biosolids management.
This role emphasizes both operational excellence and regulatory compliance, ensuring efficient, reliable, resilient, and high-quality service delivery. The Director plays a critical role in shaping and optimizing operational processes and maintenance programs to meet customer needs and service expectations.
A strong advocate for health and safety and workforce development, the Director fosters a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, coaching and engagement across the team to enhance the overall employee experience. The Director also serves as the primary point of escalation for emergencies and is on-call 24×7×365 to respond to water and wastewater operational incidents, providing on-site leadership and coordination during critical events.
Essential Functions
· Plans, directs, and oversees the delivery of water and wastewater services—including dams and reservoirs, treatment plant operations, distribution and conveyance systems, pumping, water storage and other essential facilities—while ensuring, safety, regulatory compliance, promoting sustainability, and supporting long-term capital planning initiatives.
· Ensures a strong organizational commitment to health and safety by establishing and implementing policies and practices that protect employees, contractors, and the public and promotes ‘Safety is Mission Critical’ culture through leadership, training, risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives aligned with regulatory standards and best practices.
· Champions WSSC Water strategic priorities and directs the implementation of assigned annual priorities, including leading project teams.
· Establishes and provides strategic guidance in the development of programs, procedures, and methods to ensure efficiency, reliability, and resilience of water and wastewater processes, systems, and related facilities.
· Is responsible for supervising direct reports, including selecting or recommending selection, assigning work, setting performance expectations, and conducting or approving performance evaluations, counseling, disciplining, and/or termination or recommending termination.
· Provide strategic oversight and direction on personnel matters such as training, coaching, professional development, counseling, and disciplinary actions for their direct reports ; ensures that supervisory practices across the department align with organizational policies, fostering a consistent, fair, and high-performing work environment.
· Develops and manages the departmental budget, analyzes operational costs, and implements cost-optimization measures to ensure efficient and cost-effective service delivery.
· Directs the asset management program for Production including effective use of Enterprise Asset Management ( EAM ), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems ( CMMS ), Geographical Information System ( GIS ) and other technology solutions.
· Optimizes maintenance programs by evaluating and establishing best practices in predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance.
· Assist in preparing water and wastewater meter plansand facilities plans and collaborates with the Chief Engineer to implement the planning and design of repairs and improvements to water and wastewater production facilities.
· Monitors WSSC Water compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning drinking water quality, wastewater discharge, air quality and beneficial reuse of bio-solids.
· Drives a vehicle to conduct WSSC Water business.
Other Functions
Performs other related duties, as required.
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Business casual office setting with frequent visit to water/wastewater plants.
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
· Ability to motivate and build a strong and resilient workforce, with transparency and trust at its core.
· Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of the design, operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
· Thorough knowledge of materials, equipment, processes, and techniques used in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and processes.
· Strong analytical, planning and project management skill sets.
· Thorough knowledge of business administration as applied to the operation of water and wastewater facilities.
· Ability to effectively plan and supervise varied maintenance projects.
· Ability to perform as a leader/coach in the development of staff.
· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with public and private officials, employees and the general public.
· Ability to keep records and to prepare clear, concise reports of water and wastewater operations.
· Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
· Excellent interpersonal and change management skills.
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
+ Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years’ experience in water and wastewater utility systems operations
+ 5+ years experience at the level of a Plant Superintendent, deputy director or department head.
OR
+ High School diploma (or equivalent) with 14+ years’ experience in water and wastewater utility systems operations
+ 5+ years at the level of a Plant Superintendent, deputy director or department head.
Additional Requirements
· Possession of a valid driver’s license, with no more than 4 points, and the ability to obtain and maintain a WSSC Water driver’s permit within 90 days of hire or transfer
· Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
Preferences
Proven track record in leading an organization through business process and culture change efforts to maintain and enhance the organization’s competitive position.
Salary$213,750 or more
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Commission to select new employees and to promote current employees without regard to race, sexual orientation, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, or handicap. The Commission does not discriminate against qualified individuals with a disability and will make reasonable accommodation for any disability that does not result in undue hardship for the Commission.
Close Date08/29/2025
Open Until FilledNo
Special Instructions to Applicants
Additional Information
All applicants selected will be subject to drug screening and a background check/verification.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
+ * Will you, now or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status?
+ Yes
+ No
+ Are you an eligible veteran of any branch of the armed forces who has received an honorable discharge or Certificate of Satisfactory Completion of Military Service, the spouse of an eligible veteran who has a service-connected disability or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran?
+ Yes
+ No
+ * Do you have a valid driver's license with no more than 4 points and with no restrictions (except eyeglasses/contact lenses)?
+ Yes
+ No
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Resume
Optional Documents
+ Cover Letter/Letter of Application
Por favor confirme su dirección de correo electrónico: Send Email