Assistant Deputy Director of E&ES

Durham County Government; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Government seeks an experienced executive to lead its Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) and engineering and environmental services teams. The role provides executive-level guidance to County leadership, managers, and regulators, directing operation, maintenance, budgeting, and long-range utility planning for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems.

The position requires a PE license in NC, extensive supervisory experience, and a proven ability to align utility goals with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible utility engineering, public works, or utility management experience.
• At least three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience.
• Current registration as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of North Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, and distribution systems.
• Provide executive-level technical and strategic guidance to County Administration and Board of County Commissioners.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and long-range utility planning.
• Develop budgets, forecast funding, and authorize expenditures within delegated authority.
• Lead CIP planning and coordination with engineers, inspectors, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Prepare technical reports and present to BOCC and stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering

Tools

Engineering software (AutoCAD, Civil 3D)

Job description

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE

This position assists the Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) Director/Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services in managing the County's enterprise utility systems, including the Triangle Wastewater Treatment Plant (TWWTP), wastewater collection, water distribution, reclaimed water systems, pump stations, and associated utility infrastructure. The position may also assist the Director of Engineering & Environmental Services (E&ES) and Deputy Directors of E&ES with various other duties and assignments within the broader portfolio of the Engineering Department. The position provides executive leadership for planning, operation, maintenance, regulatory compliance, financial sustainability, and strategic expansion of the County's utility systems to support industrial customers, economic development initiatives, and reliable utility services for County residents.

Work is performed under the general supervision of the Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services (E&ES).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Manages, leads, and oversees the operation and maintenance of collection, water, and distribution systems, while directing project management activities for development services and capital improvement projects.
• Works with the Director-E&ES and Deputy Director-E&ES to provide executive-level technical and strategic guidance to County Administration, and Board of County Commissioners regarding utility operations, infrastructure investments, regulatory compliance, economic development initiatives, and long-range utility planning.
• Monitors and implements federal and state regulatory requirements and legislative proposals; develops draft legislative amendments for review by the County Manager, Deputy County Manager (DCM), Director of Engineering and Environmental Services (E&ES), and other stakeholders.
• Ensures compliance with applicable safety standards and promotes a culture of workplace safety throughout the organization.
• Leads, supervises, and manages assigned staff, including approving personnel actions, timesheets, and leave requests.
• Develops performance metrics, conducts performance evaluations, updates work plans, and assigns tasks to effectively allocate staff resources and achieve organizational goals.
• Fosters a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Monitors required staff training and develops workforce development and succession planning strategies to ensure organizational readiness.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and enforcement of sewer and water ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Serves as Acting POTW Director and Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services (EES) in the absence of the POTW Director/Deputy Director of EES, ensuring continuity of operations and leadership.
• Participates in the development and administration of the utility budget, including forecasting funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; prepares cost estimates and budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; and authorizes expenditures within delegated authority.
• Reviews, prepares, and recommends approval of contractor and consultant invoices; verifies project completion percentages and authorizes payment in accordance with contract terms and County procedures.
• Identifies and implements cost-control measures and operational efficiencies to optimize resource utilization and improve service delivery.
• Leads and/or participate in utility rate studies, financial modeling, long-range revenue forecasting, and enterprise fund planning to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Collaborates with the POTW Director/Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services (E&ES) to develop division goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives that align with departmental and County priorities.
• Administers professional service and construction contracts by preparing specifications and bid documents, participating in procurement activities, evaluating bids and proposals, recommending contract awards, and assessing contract renewals and consultant performance.
• Ensures the timely, efficient, and accurate review of engineering plans and construction documents by subordinate staff, including Development Services and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Senior Project Managers, to verify feasibility and compliance with applicable specifications, standards, regulations, and contract requirements.
• Prioritizes utility infrastructure projects using risk assessments, asset condition evaluations, regulatory requirements, operational needs, and projected community growth.
• Supports long-term utility master planning and asset management strategies to enhance system reliability, resiliency, and sustainability.
• Leads capital improvement project (CIP) plan development and implementation by directing project planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout activities; coordinating with engineers, inspectors, contractors, and regulatory agencies; and conducting field inspections to ensure quality, schedule, budget, and performance objectives are achieved.
• Develops agenda items, briefing materials, and technical reports for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), County leadership, advisory boards, regulatory agencies, municipalities, developers, and other key stakeholders; delivers presentations, provides technical recommendations, and responds to inquiries regarding utility operations, capital improvement projects, infrastructure development, regulatory compliance, financial planning, and strategic initiatives.
• Provides final approval of sewer and water system extension designs and installations and verifies substantial project completion through final inspections to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, permits, and contract requirements.
• Participates in emergency preparedness, disaster response, and recovery operations to ensure continuity of critical utility services.
• Oversees the development, revision, and implementation of Utility Standard Specifications, design criteria, and technical requirements to promote system reliability, redundancy, maintainability, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Supports economic development initiatives by collaborating with developers, regulatory agencies, municipalities, and County leadership to provide strategic utility planning and infrastructure recommendations that facilitate new development and ensure the availability of utility services to meet current and future growth needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in using computers and office equipment, including printers, scanners, and telephones.
• Skilled in software applications and digital tools, including project management systems, spreadsheets, email platforms, and data dashboards.
• Experienced in reviewing, interpreting, and applying engineering, construction, and technical documents, including plans, specifications, reports, as-built drawings, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle to conduct field inspections, site visits, and project oversight.
• General knowledge of construction practices related to water and wastewater infrastructure installation.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment processes and the operation of process equipment, including pumps, valves, oxidation ditches, filters, and related systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and verify engineering calculations, including pump curves, drawdown analyses, and pipe flow calculations.
• Knowledge of financial management principles, including budget development, administration, and cost control.
• Understanding of local, state, and federal laws, codes, regulations, and policies governing water, wastewater, stormwater, drainage, solid waste, and electrical systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively address technical, regulatory, operational, and interpersonal matters.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related field from an appropriately accredited college or university.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible utility engineering, public works, or utility management experience.
• At least three (3) to five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience.
• Current registration as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of North Carolina.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS

• NC Professional Engineer Credentials.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina and an acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS

• Grade II Biological Operator Certification
• Grade II Collection System Certification