CHIEF OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS (PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR) (EM-08) [1 vacancy]

**CHIEF OF WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS (PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR) (EM-08) [1 vacancy] Salary $10,802.00 - $16,933.00 Monthly Location Oahu, HI Job Type Full-Time Permanent Job Number 219256 Department Honolulu Board of Water Supply Opening Date 02/06/2026 Closing Date Continuous

Job Summary

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) is looking for a Chief of Water System Operations (Program Administrator) in Honolulu. This position heads the Water System Operations Division with full responsibility for the distribution of water throughout the BWS system by regulation and diversion of water from the supply source through various storage facilities utilizing mechanical, electrical, and telecommunications equipment; the operation, control, maintenance and repair of pumping plants for the BWS island-wide water system; compliance with water quality standards; safeguard of water system facilities from unauthorized access, natural disasters and other emergency situations; and related programs.

What You Will Do

• Formulate and execute policies and division priorities, analyze pertinent operational issues and information; and assess the impact of proposed policies and guidelines to ensure efficient and effective service to BWS water consumers.
• Develop and implement short-term and long-term goals and objectives pertaining to the operation of the BWS water system.
• Oversee the planning and review of division programs for the proper design, operation and maintenance of the water system facilities to ensure efficient, effective and timely distribution of quality water.
• Develop and justify the operating and capital improvement budget for the division.
• Serve as principal advisor to the Manager and Chief Engineer on water system operations and its related programs.
• Develop internal procedures and practices for providing the highest quality of services and coordinative efforts among managers, supervisors and employees.
• Determine needs and develop specific plans for organizational or operational changes that have the potential for significant impact on the division.
• Oversee the coordination of internal work and resolve conflicts among staff in areas of shared responsibility, personnel, and other administrative issues and concerns.
• Keep employees informed of BWS and division goals and objectives, ensuring that revised policies, procedures, methods and related work changes are implemented and executed in the proper and timely manner.

Benefits

• Actual salary will be commensurate with applicable experience, pending approval.
• Enjoy excellent employment benefits including:
• Generous time off (up to 21 vacation days, 21 sick leave days, and holidays)
• Comprehensive health coverage
• Retirement plan
• Career development
• Much more!
• View details about all our available benefits by clicking on the "Benefits" tab at the top of this posting or visiting https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/benefits/

Application Guidelines & Instructions

When applying for this position, please thoroughly complete the Education, Work Experience, and Supplemental Question sections of your application. The information provided in these sections, particularly the job-specific Supplemental Questions, will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements for the job and your final score. Failure to provide detailed and complete information or submit any required documentation may result in your application being rejected or you receiving a lower score.

License Requirement

Current State of Hawaii registration as a professional mechanical, electrical, or civil engineer.

Verification Requirement

Please attach an electronic copy of your professional mechanical, electrical, or civil engineer license (Hawaii or out-of-state) to your application; Or mail a photocopy of your license to the following address: Department of Human Resources, 650 South King Street, 10th Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813. Copies will not be returned.

License Information

In which state(s) are you registered as a professional engineer? Include your License No(s), expiration date(s), and date(s) first licensed.

Work Experience

Water System Engineering Experience

Describe in detail your registered professional experience in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering that involved the operation and evaluation of water or related systems and pumping or industrial plant machinery and equipment.

• Indicate which position from the Work Experience section of your application where you had such experience and include the following:
• a) the kind of water or related plant system you operated and managed
• b) the components that made up the system you operated and managed (e.g. service capacity of system; number of wells, reservoirs, linear miles of pipe; etc)
• c) the kind of pumping or industrial plant machinery and equipment you used while operating and managing the system
• d) your duties and responsibilities in regards to evaluating the effectiveness of such systems, machinery and equipment
• e) your duties and responsibilities in regards to conducting research and proposing improvements or changes to such systems, machinery, and equipment

Administrative Experience

For each position where you had ADMINISTRATIVE experience (i.e., work experience that conclusively demonstrates the scope and level of experience comparable to a branch chief or higher), provide a description of the department or organization in which you worked.

• Indicate which position from the Work Experience section of your application where you had such experience and include the following:
• a) the type (private sector, government, etc) and size of the overall department/organization
• b) the numbers and kinds of divisions, identify the divisions, and major functions of the division
• c) the relative level of your position within the department/division
• d) the title(s) and number of employees you supervised
• e) the title of your immediate supervisor

Administrative Duties and Responsibilities

Describe your administrative duties and responsibilities in the following areas:

• PLANNING and GOAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT: Formulate and execute policies and programs to accomplish basic objectives of the department/agency, formulate and integrate long range objectives and goals, and develop, implement and/or enforce laws, rules, guidelines and procedures.
• Include the kinds of policies/programs you established and implemented and the percentage of time you spent performing these activities relative to your overall duties and responsibilities.
• MANAGEMENT and ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS: Review and analyze program proposals, objectives, functions, etc. to establish the basic functions of the organization/unit and type of work to be performed by each unit, and continuously make decisions and embody them into specific policies, general instructions, and rules and regulations affecting the operations of the entire organization/unit.
• BUDGET ADMINISTRATION: Develop, review and monitor the budget process, prepare operating budgets, and fiscal planning and control for an operating unit within the organization.
• Include the type and amount of the budget and the percentage of time you spent performing these activities relative to your overall duties and responsibilities.
• STAFFING: Determine personnel needs to carry out the functions of the organization, conduct the overall human resources program including the selection, termination, and training of staff, deal with labor relations matters, and determine effective utilization of the personnel within the organization.
• Indicate the percentage of time you spent performing these activities relative to your overall duties and responsibilities.
• SUPERVISION: Oversee and direct subordinates, make and follow up on assignments, evaluate employee performance, and discipline unsatisfactory performance.
• REPORTING: Have the final responsibility for making recommendations/decisions, and prepare reports of these actions to higher management.
• Include typical reports you have prepared and the impact of your recommendations and/or decisions.

Employer Information

City and County of Honolulu Address: 650 South King Street, 10th Floor Honolulu, Hawaii, 96813 Phone: (808) 768-8536 Website: https://www.honolulu.gov/dhr/