Water Utility Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $102,211.20 - $143,000.00 Annually
Location : J Ave Water- 761 J Ave NE Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Utilities
Division: Water
Opening Date: 07/02/2026
Closing Date: 7/16/2026 11:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: NON_BARGAINING
The City of Cedar Rapids is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Water Utility Plant Manager to lead one of our community's most essential services - providing safe, reliable, high-quality drinking water to the people and businesses who depend on it every day.
In this role you will lead a dedicated team of professionals, ensure regulatory compliance, play a part in planning for the future. If you are passionate about public service, enjoy developing high-performing teams, and are ready to make a lasting impact on your community. Join us and become part of a team that takes pride in delivering one of life's most essential resources- clean, safe, exceptional drinking water.
About our OrganizationAt the City, we are committed to employing individuals who reflect our community's diverse backgrounds, and this position is crucial in the success and strategic direction of a growing and evolving community. We appreciate and leverage the vast experience individuals bring beyond the technical requirements of a job. If you are an individual with similar experience listed here please consider applying. Experience and skills combined with commitment to our core values is key to building a greater community now and for the next generation.
About our Community
Nestled in the heart of Iowa, Cedar Rapids is our vibrant and diverse community known for its rich history, culture, and natural beauty. Our city has a strong sense of community which can be seen at any of our numerous parks, recreational opportunities, and family-friendly events year round. You can also explore our thriving downtown district, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options, or take a stroll along the Cedar River, which runs through the heart of the city.
About this Opportunity
The Water Utility Plant Manager position is directly responsible for the public drinking water system permit issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources; Manages the operation and maintenance of the City's water production plants and facilities; Plans, evaluates, supervises, and directs source water protection program and activities.
The City of Cedar Rapids does not offer sponsorship for employment authorization.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages and provides day-to-day guidance to plant operational maintenance and laboratory staff to streamline cost-effective water treatment processes and optimize the operational quality and procedural efficiency of the city's water production facilities.
• Schedules and conducts training regularly on quality issues and regulations; manages workflow and works schedules and ensures adequate staffing levels, approves time and attendance; handles grievances; supervises the work of assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Reviews water treatment operations and monitors standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure compliance with regulatory standards; gathers documentation for the direct source water protection program and special project activities to determine project objectives and requirements.
• Manages internal controls to evaluate the lime residual and other byproducts formed during and after water treatment processes and ensures compliance with established safety protocols, treatment techniques and procedures.
• Develops and evaluates operational and treatment data quality reporting in compliance with the state, federal, and local regulatory agencies criteria requirements.
• Coordinates operational and maintenance activities with other utilities divisions operation and maintenance managers.
• Analyzes methods for equipment used and performance measures to implement recommendations for water production quality improvement systems.
• Plans, prepares and monitors budgetary activities for water production facilities.
• Develops purchasing specifications, request for proposals (RFP) and professional service contracts for the purchase of goods and services.
• Monitors and measures the quality control of services provided by contractors, consultants, and vendor products are consistently meeting the regulatory agency requirements and exceeding the city quality standards.
• Identifies and analyzes gaps on existing policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), working instructions and safety when implementing a new programs and/ or projects and seeks out opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Reviews capital improvement project (CIP) plans for storage tanks, remote sites, and other associated infrastructure; serves on the water utility management team, conducts project research and recommends capital improvement projects (CIP) in support of the city's initiatives.
• Ensures seamless integration between continuous operation of plant operations during routine and more extensive capital maintenance projects.
• Participates in citywide initiatives, committees, planning groups, board proxy/member, trainer, and facilitator.
• Serves as a regulatory community liaison to residential, commercial, and industrial users and responds to production capability inquiries; keeps current with new methods, products, technology developments.
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with city policies, procedures and safety practices.
• Performs related work as required.

Qualifications
Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Technology, Environmental Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Construction Management and
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of experience including supervising and project management in Facility Management, Industrial Manufacturing, Environmental Sciences, Water/Wastewater Management or
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse population

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid U.S. Driver's License
• Iowa Grade IV Water Operator Treatment Certification within two (2) years of placement

Desired Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in a union environment

Supplemental Information
Work Schedule
Monday - Friday 7:30am to 4:30pm
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement
The City of Cedar Rapids is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All job applicants will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history).
Applicants with Disabilities
We respect and value people with disabilities and are committed to providing a workplace culture of disability inclusion. People with disabilities are supported during the hiring process and are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Cedar Rapids. In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be provided to those in need of assistance with the application and interview process. To request an accommodation, contact the City's Human Resources department by phone at 319-286-5000 or by email at hr@cedar-rapids.org.
We offer benefits and beyond for our employees and their families!

• Multiple health insurance plans administered by Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield with low employee premiums, deductibles, and co-insurance (view our benefits summaries for more information: and )
• Expansive Wellness Program and low cost onsite exercise facilities
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental of Iowa
• 100% city paid basic life insurance
• Other voluntary benefits offered including vision, long-term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• IPERS Retirement - Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, with contributions of 6.29% employee/ 9.44% City
• Deferred Compensation (IRS Section 457) retirement programs
• Generous paid time off AND 11 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave program with 4 weeks of paid time off
• Annual salary increases, AND an annual across-the-board increase (determined by available budget)
• Longevity Pay for years of service
• Educational assistance up to $3,000 per year
• A culture that is supportive and committed to professional development opportunities
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employees may qualify for the PSLF program which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

01
Which of the following best indicates your highest level of education?

• I do not have a High School diploma or GED
• High School diploma or GED
• Some college (at least the equivalent of 1 year)
• Associate's degree or vocational equivalent
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree or higher

02
What was your major or primary field of study?

• Industrial Technology, Environmental Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Construction Management
• Other, related to Industrial Technology, Environmental Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or Construction Management
• Other major
• no degree

03
How many years of experience do you have in supervising and project management in Facility Management, Industrial Manufacturing, Environmental Sciences, Water/Wastewater Management ?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

04
Which of the following best indicates your total years of experience where primary duties consisted of Supervisory experience in a union environment? Please only include experience where your primary job responsibilities were in this areas.

• Less than 1 year of experience
• At least 1 year of experience
• At least 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience
• At least 7 years of experience
• At least 9 years of experience
• More than 10 years of experience

05
Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Office?

• Beginner - Able to perform basic tasks such as creating simple documents, entering data, sending emails, and using basic formatting.
• Intermediate - Comfortable with day-to-day use, including formatting documents, using basic formulas in Excel (e.g., SUM, AVERAGE), managing calendars, and creating standard presentations.
• Proficient - Regularly uses Microsoft Office in a professional setting; able to create complex documents, use intermediate Excel functions (e.g., IF statements), and manage data efficiently.
• Advanced - Highly skilled; able to use advanced Excel functions (e.g., VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis tools), automate tasks, create polished reports/presentations, and troubleshoot issues.
• Expert - Deep expertise across multiple Office applications; designs complex spreadsheets and reporting tools, uses advanced automation (e.g., macros), and may train or support others.

06
Please share your work experience in supervising and project management in Facility Management, Industrial Manufacturing, Environmental Sciences, Water/Wastewater Management
07
Are you able to obtain a Iowa Grade IV Water Operator Treatment Certification within two (2) years of placement

• Yes
• No
• Already have my Iowa Grade IV Water Operator Treatment Certificate

08
Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

09
Briefly describe your experience working collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Required Question