Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Program Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Program Manager leads and directs the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of wastewater collection, treatment, and reuse programs. This role combines regulatory compliance (NPDES and state-level permitting), capital program delivery, operations coordination, asset and budget management, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate translates policy and regulatory requirements into technically sound operational and programmatic actions, supervises multidisciplinary teams and contractors, and ensures program outcomes meet environmental, public health, and financial goals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator or Shift Supervisor (Class IV/III operator)
Environmental or Civil Engineer with wastewater experience
Project Manager (in water/wastewater or public works capital programs)

Advancement To:

Director of Utilities / Director of Public Works
Water Resources or Environmental Services Manager
Regional Program Manager (multi-jurisdiction wastewater operations)

Lateral Moves:

Compliance and Permitting Manager
Asset Management or Capital Projects Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously improve a comprehensive wastewater program that integrates operations, maintenance, capital improvement planning, regulatory compliance, and community engagement to meet short- and long-term utility objectives.
Manage NPDES and state wastewater permit compliance: prepare and submit monthly/quarterly/annual discharge monitoring reports (DMRs), coordinate permit renewals, and ensure permit limits and monitoring schedules are met.
Lead full lifecycle capital project delivery for wastewater facilities, including scoping, budget development, procurement, design review, construction management, contract administration, and final acceptance.
Prepare, manage, and report on program budgets, operating forecasts, and capital budgets; track expenditures, approve procurement actions, and implement cost-control measures to meet financial targets.
Oversee the wastewater sampling and laboratory QA/QC program: develop sampling plans, ensure chain-of-custody procedures, review analytical results, and coordinate corrective actions for out-of-compliance results.
Coordinate with plant operations and maintenance teams to implement process optimization initiatives (e.g., aeration control, chemical dosing, sludge handling) to improve effluent quality and reduce operating costs.
Serve as the primary point of contact with federal and state regulatory agencies (EPA, state environmental agencies), respond to inspections, enforceable actions, and negotiate enforcement settlements or consent decrees when necessary.
Develop and implement emergency response and contingency plans for bypasses, spills, odor incidents, and equipment failures; lead incident command and post-event root-cause analysis.
Manage performance of consultants, construction contractors, and service providers: issue scopes of work, administer contracts, monitor deliverables, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.
Lead asset management and preventive maintenance programs using CMMS (e.g., Maximo, Cityworks): prioritize rehabilitation, plan replacements, and extend asset life while minimizing service interruptions.
Prepare and submit technical reports, regulatory submittals, grant applications, and funding proposals; secure and administer state and federal grants and low-interest loans for wastewater projects.
Implement and manage SCADA, process control strategies, and data management systems to ensure reliable process monitoring, alarming, and remote operations support.
Coordinate permitting, environmental reviews, and NEPA/SEPA compliance for capital projects, easements, and expansions; work with permitting specialists and legal counsel as needed.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety protocols, and training curricula for operations staff to ensure permit compliance and workplace safety (confined space, HAZWOPER, lockout/tagout).
Lead public outreach and stakeholder engagement initiatives: present program updates to city councils, boards, community groups, and industrial customers; manage public expectations and communication during projects or incidents.
Evaluate and implement new technologies and best practices (e.g., nutrient removal, energy recovery, biosolids beneficial reuse) to improve environmental performance and operational efficiency.
Conduct regular plant inspections, compliance audits, and internal performance reviews; identify corrective actions, track implementation, and validate closure.
Oversee biosolids management programs, including beneficial reuse contracts, land application compliance, and monitoring for pathogen and pollutant limits.
Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards for effluent quality, process availability, safety, and financial performance; report results to leadership and governing bodies.
Supervise, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary teams including operators, engineers, inspectors, and administrative staff; recruit, evaluate performance, and implement workforce development plans.
Manage industrial pretreatment programs: issue permits, review discharge monitoring reports, conduct inspections, and enforce limits to protect treatment plant performance.
Coordinate cross-departmental initiatives with stormwater, water supply, and transportation agencies to align capital planning, regulatory strategies, and emergency response.
Oversee odor control programs and community nuisance mitigation, including source control, strategic facility upgrades, and rapid-response protocols.
Ensure procurement and contracting comply with municipal procurement rules, DBE/MBE goals, and grant requirements; manage RFPs, bid evaluations, and contract negotiations.
Lead long-range planning activities including master plans, hydraulic and process modeling, population and flow projections, and scenario planning for regulatory changes and climate resilience.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc regulatory data requests and provide technical responses to public records requests and information inquiries.
Contribute to the organization's sustainability and climate adaptation strategies, including energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reporting, and resilience planning for wastewater infrastructure.
Collaborate with GIS and asset teams to maintain accurate facility mapping, sewer system hydraulic models, and condition assessment databases.
Participate in interdepartmental emergency response drills, regional mutual-aid agreements, and multi-agency coordination exercises.
Support workforce training programs, apprenticeship partnerships, and succession planning to build a skilled pipeline of wastewater professionals.
Assist leadership with strategic planning, grant prioritization, and long-term capital improvement program (CIP) sequencing.
Coordinate laboratory accreditation efforts and update laboratory SOPs to meet state certification requirements.
Provide technical support for legal proceedings, insurance claims, and enforcement actions involving wastewater program activities.
Serve on technical advisory committees, industry working groups, and professional associations to stay current with regulatory trends and best practices.
Facilitate data integration projects to improve reporting automation, reduce manual entry, and enhance regulatory submission accuracy.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of NPDES permitting, state wastewater regulations, and discharge monitoring requirements.
Wastewater treatment processes expertise (activated sludge, BNR, MBR, anaerobic digestion, solids handling).
Experience managing capital projects from planning through construction administration and closeout.
Proficient with SCADA systems, process control logic, and industrial controls troubleshooting.
Strong familiarity with CMMS platforms (e.g., Maximo, Cityworks) and preventive maintenance planning.
Laboratory QA/QC and sampling program management experience, including chain-of-custody and laboratory accreditation standards.
Proficiency in hydraulic and process modeling tools and interpreting modeling results for permit and CIP decisions.
Budget development and financial management, including grant administration and reporting.
Contract and procurement management skills, including RFP development, contract negotiation, and contractor oversight.
Data analysis and reporting skills: MS Excel (advanced), database querying, and experience developing performance dashboards.
Knowledge of odor control technologies, biosolids beneficial reuse, and sludge dewatering technologies.
Regulatory reporting and technical writing skills for DMRs, technical memoranda, and board presentations.
Familiarity with health & safety programs (confined space, HAZWOPER, PPE) and contractor safety oversight.
Experience with GIS for sewer system mapping, facilities location, and asset inventories.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management: coaching, performance development, and building high-performing teams.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences including elected officials and the public.
Strategic thinking and problem-solving: translate regulations into practical operational solutions.
Stakeholder management and community engagement skills, including conflict resolution and consensus building.
Project prioritization and time management under competing deadlines.
Political acumen and ability to navigate multi-stakeholder governance environments.
Adaptability and resilience in responding to emergencies and changing regulatory landscapes.
Attention to detail combined with a systems-level view for long-term planning.
Collaborative mindset: experience working across departments and agencies to achieve shared goals.
Ethical judgment and commitment to environmental protection and public health.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Chemistry, or a closely related technical field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Resources, or Public Administration focused on utilities management.
Professional registration (PE) or advanced technical certifications preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Environmental Engineering
Civil Engineering (Water Resources)
Environmental Science
Public Administration with utility management emphasis
Chemistry or Microbiology (for laboratory oversight roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–12 years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater operations, compliance, capital program management, or related environmental program management.

Preferred:

7+ years of direct wastewater program management experience including NPDES compliance and capital project delivery.
Experience supervising operations teams and managing multi-disciplinary professional staff.
Operator certification (State Class III/IV or equivalent), PMP, or technical certifications (CWEA, WEF) considered a strong asset.