Senior Program Manager, Operations Engineering

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference-in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Manages process control, operational hydraulic support and planning for maintenance and construction projects, and for day-to-day operations within wastewater facilities and collection systems and water facilities, distribution and transmission systems. Provides complete technical support on all operations, troubleshooting, regulatory and process control matters. Acts as a back-up to and assists the managers of water and wastewater operations during emergencies and as needed.

Posting Period: 7/7/2026 to 7/20/2026

Location: Chelsea, MA

Salary: $121,302.32 - $169,829.82 Annually $2,332.74 - $3,265.96 Weekly

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Key Responsibilities

• Provides technical support and develops/manages project work plans to support operations, maintenance and construction activities to ensure minimal impact on operations and MWRA customers.
• Works with Engineering and Construction Department staff to ensure that operations related design requirements are incorporated into capital improvement projects.
• Manages the development and use of facility and system data to monitor, track and report on water and wastewater facility equipment and process performance and for hydraulic investigations of the water distribution and wastewater collections systems to support system reconfigurations and improvements.
• Develops, updates and manages control strategies to ensure clear documentation of manual and automated facility controls and alarming functions.
• Works to implement and improve upon instrumentation and automated facility controls to reduce energy consumption, reduce maintenance requirements, and improve facility/equipment performance and reliability.
• Manages the performance of facility audits to ensure automation, alarming functions, and emergency safeguards are functioning as designed and documented.
• Develops consultant engineering scope of services, participates in consultant procurement efforts and manages consultant teams as necessary.
• Manages the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), facility manuals and emergency contingency plans for water and wastewater facilities and associated systems.
• Oversees staff productivity monitoring and continual improvement through staff skill development, strategic planning, SOP improvements, and research and implementation of technology advances.
• Manages and oversees process control and operational engineering issues during construction and start-up of new and rehabilitated facilities to ensure new equipment and automation meet MWRA operational requirements.
• Manages and monitors system performance during wet weather events and system reconfigurations to support construction and maintenance activities. Participates in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staffing as required. Acts as a back-up to and assists the Managers of Water and Wastewater Operations during emergencies and as needed.
• Assists as directed with maintenance service contracts to support various MWRA needs.

• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor of Science degree in civil, environmental, chemical or mechanical engineering or related field; and
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering, design, equipment, methods and practices related to the operations of large water and/ or wastewater facilities and systems as acquired by at least eight (8) years of experience in the field of water resources; and
• Three (3) years of experience managing employees, consultants, projects, or programs;
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• This position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather and other emergencies. Must be available to respond to emergencies as needed. Required to be part of an on-call rotation with other Operations Engineering staff twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Required to provide support during planned off-hour operational events, including wet weather events.
• May be eligible for telework up to 50% of the work week; a waiting period may apply.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License.
• A valid Grade 6 Wastewater Operator's license or 4D Drinking Water Supply Facilities Operators license preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineer license preferred.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to supervise technical staff
• Demonstrated understanding of process design, system hydraulics and mechanical equipment integral to pumping and treatment systems typically found in water and wastewater facilities.
• Demonstrated abilities to work productively and maintain working relationships with external parties.
• Proficient in the use of personal computers and associated Microsoft Office Suite and use of software used to store, manipulate and analyze historical data (such as OSISoft PI System).
• Experience with GIS, Arcmap, Telog, SCADA, and hydraulic modeling software is preferred.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office equipment normally associated with the use of telephone and personal computer.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment or controls and reaches with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. The employee will also be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes and airborne particles.

The noise level in the work environment is a moderately quiet setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Waterworks.

Exercises close supervision of assigned technical and engineering staff and supervises water, wastewater operations, and maintenance staff as needed.

Other Position Information

PCR: 5811036

Division: Operations

Department: Engineering Union/Grade: MOSES (Unit 9)/Grade 30

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.