Head of Operations Management (m/w/d)

At Apex, we’re building more than a consulting and engineering firm—we’re creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you’ll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work.

Fueled by high quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. As we continue to grow, we’re focused on building a team of high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, and push what’s possible. At Apex, you don’t just join a company, you help shape what comes next.

Your Responsibilities as a Water/Wastewater Operations Manager:
The Water/Wastewater Operations Manager will provide day-to-day leadership, technical guidance, and compliance-focused oversight for Apex’s water and wastewater operations and maintenance services. This role will supervise certified and non-certified operations staff serving as circuit riders for municipal, commercial, and private treatment systems, while collaborating with project managers, engineers, clients, and regulatory agencies to support safe, compliant, and efficient system operations.

Supervise, schedule, coach, and support water and wastewater operations and maintenance staff performing circuit-rider services at multiple client facilities.

Oversee daily and weekly staffing assignments to ensure proper operator coverage, site visits, sampling, maintenance activities, and emergency response support.

Travel to client facilities to review water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, lift stations, and related infrastructure.

Review treatment operations, maintenance activities, process controls, field observations, and operating data with Apex operators, project managers, and engineering staff.

Serve as, or coordinate with, the assigned operator-in-responsible-chargewhererequiredand where properly licensed/certified.

Direct and review procedures for collecting water and wastewater samples, field measurements, operational readings, and related compliance data.

Review laboratory analytical data, sampling results, maintenance logs, operator reports, and facility records for completeness, accuracy, and operational significance.

Support regulatory reporting,permitcompliance, and client communication related to water and wastewater system operations.

Identify, troubleshoot, and help resolve operational, mechanical, process, maintenance, and compliance-related issues at client facilities.

Recommend operational, maintenance, process-control, and compliance improvements to improve system performance, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance.

Support project managers at the local, state, and regional level on water and wastewater projects requiring operations, maintenance, startup, commissioning, or compliance input.

Collaborate with project managers and engineers to support proposal development, scope definition, project delivery, client meetings, change management, and account coordination.

Assistwith startup and commissioning planning for new or modified water and wastewater treatment facilities, including coordination with contractors, engineers, clients, and operations staff.

Participate in startup and commissioning activities to help confirm that new equipment, processes, and systems function properly before turnover to operations staff.

Conduct formal and informal training for Apex staff and client personnel on treatment operations, maintenance practices, sampling, safety, documentation, and troubleshooting.

Monitor field work for compliance with Apex safety policies, regulatory requirements, client expectations, and standard operating procedures.

Lead or support safety meetings, tailgate discussions, and field coaching to reinforce safe work practices and continuous improvement.

Evaluate employee performance,identifytraining needs, counsel staff on work-related issues, and help employees correct job-skill deficiencies.

Mentor and develop operators byidentifyingskill gaps, supporting certification progress, and helping employees improve their technical and professional capabilities.

Maintain constructive working relationships with operators, project managers, engineers, clients, subcontractors, laboratories, vendors, and regulatory representatives.

Provide technical consultation and practical operations advice to management, clients, project teams, and field staff on treatment systems, process performance, maintenance needs, and compliance concerns.

Perform administrative duties related to staff supervision, scheduling, documentation, reporting, training, performance management, and project support.

Support delivery of operations and maintenance projects for municipal, commercial, and private clients, including client coordination, regulatory reporting support, personnel coordination, subcontractor coordination, and maintenance planning.

Prior experience supervising water or wastewater operators, field staff, maintenance staff, or circuit-rider teams preferred.

Strong working knowledge of water and/or wastewater treatment operations, including treatment processes, pump stations, lift stations, sampling, maintenance, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance.

Current high-level water and/or wastewater operator certification with relevant subclasses preferred. Experience serving as an operator-in-responsible-charge, lead operator, chief operator, operations supervisor, compliance lead, or similar technical operations role preferred.

Ability to lead field staff while also providing practical technical direction on treatment operations, process controls, sampling, maintenance, and compliance issues.

Ability to interpret permits, operating requirements, engineering plans, specifications, process data, laboratory results, maintenance logs, and regulatory correspondence.

Familiarity with DEP reporting, sampling requirements, compliance documentation, and regulatory expectations for water and wastewater systems.

Practical knowledge of water sampling, wastewater sampling, pump operation, pump repair, plumbing systems, electrical troubleshooting, controls, mechanical systems, and facility maintenance.

Ability to recognize system deficiencies, maintenance needs, process issues, safety concerns, and potential compliance risks.

Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues clearly to operators, project managers, engineers, clients, contractors, and regulatory stakeholders.

Ability to coach, mentor, and develop operations staff, including certified operators, non-certified operators, and employees working toward certification.

Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage schedules, documentation, reporting deadlines, staff assignments, client needs, and multiple facilities at the same time.

Ability to work collaboratively with project managers and engineering staff while maintaining appropriate technical and compliance standards.

Comfort working on a variety of treatment technologies across multiple water and wastewater facilities.

Strong commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, client service, operational reliability, and practical problem-solving.

Ability to travel to client sites as needed.

Company-subsidized medical and dental.

Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.

401k match, tuition assistance, and more.

Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.

Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.

We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity and differences of our employees, customers, and communities. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io, feel free to reach out to us if you would like to view or discuss Apex policy related to equal employment opportunity or have any related concerns.