Water Quality & Compliance Supervisor

Job Description

The City of Avondale is currently seeking a Water Quality & Compliance Supervisor to join the Public Works Department. The Water Quality & Compliance Supervisor performs professional-level supervisory duties in the areas of water quality, permit compliance, pretreatment, cross-connection control, and stormwater. This position oversees staff and activities within the division, including planning, scheduling, coordination, administrative duties and adherence to safety policies, under the general supervision of the Water Resources Manager.

Responsibilities include establishing goals and objectives for the division, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local water regulatory requirements, and managing program development, code and permit development, budget tracking, compliance software management, water quality reporting and public education.

• Analyze, monitor, update, and maintain data and documentation required to maintain compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and ensure the City meets all requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.
• Oversee compliance sampling, testing, quality assurance, reporting, and the implementation of SOPs and compliance strategies to ensure accurate and timely completion of compliance activities.
• Develop and implement the pretreatment, cross‑connection control, and stormwater programs, guiding the development of codes, SOPs, permit applications, compliance software, and process improvements.
• Lead or contribute to the reporting and renewal efforts for critical permits and reports (e.g., AZPDES Permit, Aquifer Protection Permit, Discharge Monitoring Report, Self‑Monitoring Report Form, Underground Storage Facility Permit, Water Storage Permits, Consumer Confidence Report, Annual Withdrawal Report).
• Supervise and provide leadership to Water Quality and Compliance staff, participate in hiring, training, performance reviews, mentorship, and employee development.
• Plan and prioritize divisional goals, promote staff ownership and accountability, and emphasize safety in all operations.
• Monitor changes to water quality statutes, rules, regulations, and policies, review City policies, and establish procedures for new requirements such as the Lead & Copper Rule Revision and emerging contaminants (PFAS).
• Track and communicate permit status, recommend process improvements, and assist with sampling of new water mains in coordination with the Engineering Department.
• Respond to water‑quality related issues, inquiries from the public, and coordinate field investigations with operational divisions.
• Support field inspections, sampling, water leak investigations, and backflow assembly testing.
• Prepare and administer the annual Water Quality Division budget, manage expenditures, and make staffing recommendations.
• Serve as a liaison between the city and regulatory agencies, preparing and delivering professional presentations to department leadership, city Council, and the public.
• Assist with the implementation and tracking of strategic initiatives related to Public Works and the City’s strategic plan, and support other Department objectives.
• Oversee operations, maintenance, and scheduling of the Avondale Mobile Drinking Water Trailer for city events.

• Associate’s degree or higher in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Environmental Sciences, or a related water/wastewater field.
• Broad knowledge of municipal Public Works activities, specifically the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act.
• Knowledge of water production, distribution systems, groundwater recharge, backflow prevention, compliance sampling, biological and chemical processes, industrial pretreatment, stormwater management, and wastewater treatment.
• Minimum five (5) years of technical experience enforcing or complying with federal, state and local environmental regulations, including administration of drinking water, wastewater, and/or stormwater programs.
• Minimum two (2) years of supervisory experience, which may overlap with technical experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and job‑related experience…