Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Program Director

🎯 Role Definition

The Wastewater Program Director is a senior operations and regulatory leader responsible for the strategic planning, execution, and continuous improvement of municipal or regional wastewater programs. This role oversees wastewater treatment plant operations, collection system management, regulatory compliance (including NPDES permits), capital improvement projects, asset and budget management, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement. The director builds high-performing teams, implements process and technology improvements (SCADA, CMMS, GIS), and ensures safe, reliable, and environmentally compliant wastewater services.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Wastewater Operations Manager / Plant Manager
Senior Environmental or Civil Engineer (wastewater focus)
Collections Systems Supervisor or Maintenance Manager

Advancement To:

Director of Water/Wastewater Utilities
Vice President of Utilities or Public Works
Chief Operating Officer (Municipal or Private Utility)

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Compliance Manager
Capital Projects Director (Water/Wastewater)
Asset Management Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide strategic leadership and program direction for all wastewater operations, including multiple treatment facilities, pumping stations, and conveyance systems, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and long-term system planning.
Lead regulatory compliance for NPDES permits and state wastewater discharge requirements; prepare and review permit reports, ensure timely submittals, and serve as the agency’s primary contact during regulatory inspections and enforcement actions.
Oversee development, review and approval of operations and maintenance programs to maximize process reliability, optimize biological treatment performance, and meet effluent quality standards consistently.
Manage the wastewater capital improvement program (CIP), including project scoping, prioritization, budget preparation, procurement strategy, contract administration, project schedule oversight, and coordination with engineering and construction teams.
Develop, monitor, and control the wastewater operating and capital budgets; prepare multi-year financial forecasts, identify revenue and grant opportunities, and implement cost-containment and performance metrics.
Supervise, mentor, and grow a multidisciplinary team of plant operators, field technicians, engineers, compliance staff, and contractors; establish performance objectives, succession plans, and training programs to maintain operator certifications and technical competencies.
Direct the implementation and continuous improvement of asset management and CMMS practices; prioritize preventive maintenance, lifecycle replacements, and condition-based maintenance strategies to reduce unplanned downtime and extend asset service life.
Lead emergency response planning and incident command for sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), plant upsets, natural disasters, and facility security events; ensure after-action reviews, corrective action implementation, and communication with public health agencies.
Oversee biosolids management, beneficial reuse strategies, and compliance with biosolids regulations; evaluate dewatering, digestion, and disposal/beneficial use contracts or in-house programs for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
Manage and optimize collection system operations, including cleaning, inspection programs (CCTV), sewer rehabilitation prioritization, and FOG (fats, oil, grease) control programs to reduce blockages and SSOs.
Lead process optimization initiatives, pilot testing, and implementation of advanced treatment technologies (e.g., nutrient removal, phosphorus control, membrane filtration) to meet evolving regulatory limits and sustainability goals.
Coordinate capital project permitting, environmental review, and interagency approvals; prepare technical submittals, environmental documents, and stakeholder briefings for projects with significant community or environmental impacts.
Direct the operation and modernization of control systems, SCADA architecture, instrumentation, and cybersecurity practices to ensure reliable remote monitoring and control of wastewater assets.
Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for operational performance, environmental compliance, safety, and customer service; prepare executive-level dashboards and monthly/quarterly reports for elected officials or utility boards.
Drive continuous improvement in health, safety, and environmental programs; ensure OSHA compliance, confined space entry procedures, lockout/tagout, and implementation of behavioral safety and training initiatives.
Negotiate and manage vendor, consultant, and interagency contracts for operations, maintenance, construction, and specialized services; ensure contract compliance, performance metrics, and cost control.
Lead stakeholder engagement and public communications for major projects, permit changes, and service impacts; prepare community briefings, technical presentations, and coordinate with public information officers.
Implement sustainability and resilience initiatives including energy efficiency, renewable energy projects (biogas), odor control, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and climate adaptation planning for wastewater infrastructure.
Integrate GIS, hydraulic modeling, and data analytics into planning and decision-making; use modeling outputs to inform CIP prioritization, capacity planning, and inflow & infiltration reduction strategies.
Oversee laboratory operations, QA/QC programs, and data integrity for influent, process and effluent monitoring; ensure laboratory accreditation or compliance with state requirements and reliable permit reporting.
Manage grant writing, funding acquisition and reporting; coordinate with finance to leverage federal, state, and local funding opportunities and prepare grant applications for infrastructure projects.
Ensure equitable workforce management and compliance with union agreements, personnel policies, labor relations, hiring, disciplinary actions and performance management processes.

Secondary Functions

Support senior leadership in strategic planning workshops, long-term utility master planning, and scenario analysis to align wastewater programs with regional growth and environmental objectives.
Contribute to cross-departmental initiatives such as watershed stewardship, stormwater coordination, and integrated water resources management to enhance holistic water quality outcomes.
Mentor future leaders through formal internship, apprenticeship, and professional development programs; represent the organization at industry conferences and professional associations.
Participate in public education programs, school outreach, and community events to raise awareness of wastewater treatment, pollution prevention, and water reuse opportunities.
Advise procurement and finance teams on technical specifications and lifecycle cost analysis for major equipment purchases to ensure best value and operational reliability.
Collaborate with IT teams on data governance, SCADA/IT convergence, and cybersecurity protocols to protect operational technology (OT) assets.
Serve as an internal subject matter expert for litigation support, environmental audits, and third-party technical reviews when requested.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state regulatory developments, emerging treatment technologies, and industry best practices; translate that knowledge into actionable policy and operational changes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Wastewater operations management and regulatory compliance (NPDES, state permits, biosolids regulations)
Advanced knowledge of biological and chemical treatment processes, nutrient removal, and process control strategies
Capital improvement program (CIP) planning, project management, budgeting, and procurement
SCADA systems architecture, PLC/RTU oversight, and OT cybersecurity best practices
Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and asset management methodologies
Laboratory QA/QC, sampling protocols, and compliance monitoring for influent/process/effluent testing
Hydraulic modeling (sewer models), GIS for asset inventory and spatial analysis
Contract negotiation and management for construction, professional services, and service contracts
Emergency response planning, spill/SO2/SSO management, and incident command leadership
Financial management: budget creation, multi-year forecasting, grant administration, and cost-benefit analysis
Familiarity with odor control technologies, biosolids handling, dewatering, and beneficial reuse pathways
Experience with energy management, biogas recovery, and sustainability initiatives for wastewater plants
Regulatory reporting systems and permit submittal processes; experience producing technical reports and compliance documentation

Soft Skills

Strategic leadership with ability to translate vision into operational plans and measurable outcomes
Strong written and verbal communication for technical and non-technical audiences, public presentations, and board reporting
Stakeholder management and consensus building with regulators, elected officials, community groups, and utilities partners
People leadership: coaching, performance management, hiring, and union negotiation experience
Analytical problem solving and data-driven decision-making under operational pressure
Project prioritization and time management across competing initiatives and constrained budgets
Conflict resolution, diplomacy, and political savvy within public-sector environments
Change management and continuous improvement mindset to implement process and cultural shifts

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

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

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Public Administration, Business Administration (MBA), or equivalent advanced degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Civil Engineering (with wastewater focus)
Environmental Engineering or Science
Water Resources Management
Public Administration or Business (for utility leadership and finance)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

8–15+ years of progressively responsible experience in wastewater treatment operations, collection systems, engineering, or regulatory compliance, with at least 5 years in a supervisory or management role.

Preferred:

10+ years of utility experience including leadership of wastewater treatment facilities, demonstrated success managing multi-million dollar CIP portfolios, proven track record with NPDES compliance, and experience implementing SCADA/CMMS systems. Professional certifications such as state Wastewater Operator Licenses (Grade IV/V), Professional Engineer (PE), or certifications in project management are highly desirable.