Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Manager (HWRPM)

This is a high level executive job opportunity requiring various degrees of managerial or administrative experience. Executives normally manage major functions in one of the City's many operating departments. This is not an entry-level position.

The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Manager (HWRPM) oversees operations, engineering, resiliency programs, capital improvements and maintenance activities. This role is responsible for compliance with all permit requirements and regulations. It is supported by the Hyperion Process Engineering and Operations Manager, the Hyperion Maintenance Manager, the Hyperion Resiliency Manager, and the Water Recycling Manager. The HWRPM will demonstrate proactive, hands-on, participative management experience and possess excellent interpersonal, problem solving, communication, leadership, and financial management skills.

Job Qualifications

Key attributes include:

• Technical expertise to handle all aspects of managing a large water reclamation plant
• Excellent leadership skills to inspire and motivate a staff of 450 to work as a team with one unified direction
• Innovative, visionary, strategic planning skills to lead resiliency upgrades and transform Hyperion into one of the country’s largest potable reuse facilities

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversees operations, engineering and maintenance at HWRP;
• Sets goals for water reclamation plant operations and confers with the Clean Water Labor Management Committee regarding policies;
• Reviews proposals for changes, additions, or alterations to water reclamation plant facilities and makes recommendations on their feasibility;
• Issues directives and policy statements concerning water reclamation plant activities;
• Evaluates and schedules plant goals and objectives and initiates improvements and modifications;
• Studies new developments in wastewater treatment and water recycling processes, facilities, and plant equipment and makes recommendations for incorporating changes;
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of operating budgets and administrative analysis;
• Oversees the Biosolids Management Program to ensure diversification of management alternatives;
• Oversees operation of the Hyperion Bioenergy Facility to produce over 20 MW of renewable power and steam from the plant’s digester gas;
• Oversees a comprehensive effort to produce recycled water at Hyperion. This includes identifying treatment methodologies, facility layout, permitting requirements, construction schedules, and operational needs;
• Manages the development and implementation of plans to improve Hyperion resiliency;
• Oversees comprehensive air quality management programs in compliance with South Coast Air Quality Management Districts’ regulations;
• Confers with federal, state, and local officials on matters concerning operations at LASAN Water Reclamation Plants;
• Attends public meetings to explain the purpose and activities of the plant; Oversees public and regulatory outreach programs and actively participates in their implementation;
• Ensures that water reclamation plant functions are carried out in a safe and efficient manner; and
• Manages facility improvements at the Hyperion Environmental Learning Center.

Experience

• Two years of full-time, paid experience in a position equivalent to a Principal Environmental Engineer working in the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of wastewater treatment or water reclamation plants. This is approximately equivalent to eight years of increasingly responsible experience, including at least two years of management responsibility.

Education

• A four-year college degree preferably in the field of environmental engineering or environmental science.

Four years of full-time paid management level experience in operation and maintenance at a wastewater treatment or water reclamation plant may be substituted for the required degree only. The two years’ experience in the areas noted above is still required to fully meet the requirement.

License/Certification

• A California Professional Engineer’s License and/or a California Grade V Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification are desirable.
• A valid California Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record is required.

The successful candidate will:

• Have expert knowledge of wastewater engineering with the ability to understand problems and analyze alternatives;
• Be skilled in developing a strategic plan and leading a team-based organization that values customer service, employee involvement, and continuous improvement;
• Work effectively with a management team of diverse backgrounds, knowledge, and skills, and provide coaching and leadership to present a unified management team to the organization;
• Have a history of, and demonstrated ability to, make decisions on matters such as personnel issues, project alternatives, and budget expenditures;
• Have the ability to work tactfully, communicate effectively in non-technical terms, and develop trust with superiors, peers, subordinates, elected and appointed officials, leadership within neighboring municipalities and nongovernmental organizations(NGOs), media and the community at large;
• Bring the values of honesty, stewardship, customer service, transparency, workforce and social equity, and a strong work ethic;
• Be committed to working in partnership with unions and promoting a collaborative labor-management environment;
• Demonstrate commitment to the training and development of staff and be an effective mentor/coach;
• Possess strong leadership, emotional intelligence; and conflict resolution management skills; and
• Possess excellent oral presentation and written communication skills.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $164,513 to $240,516 annually depending on experience with annual labor-negotiated increases up to $290,044 by 2028. Five additional premium levels at 2.75% each may be granted at the general manager’s discretion. This position is also eligible for two premium level bonuses with certification related to senior-level human resources management or labor relations management. A highly competitive benefits
package includes an independent retirement plan to which both the employee and the City contribute; a multi-option deferred compensation plan; generous vacation and sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; a flexible benefits plan including multi-option health, dental, and vision coverage; and family and domestic partner leave. Reimbursement of relocation expenses may be considered.

The Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Manager will be a collaborative leader, with unquestioned integrity and commitment to leading staff and fulfilling this position’s full range of responsibilities. 

The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer