Assistant Director of Utilities - Water/Wastewater

City of San Marcos, TX; San Marcos (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Marcos, TX is seeking an Assistant Director of Utilities – Water/Wastewater to provide strategic leadership, directing operations, planning, and asset management to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient service.

You will oversee water production, wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems, reclaimed water, lift stations, storage facilities, and related support functions, while coordinating with agencies and consultants to meet regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing water/wastewater utilities operations.
• Five (5) years in senior level management.
• Level B Water and/or Wastewater Certification required within two years.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

• Oversees water production, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, reclaimed water, lift stations, storage, and water quality functions.
• Develops departmental policies, procedures, and long-range plans for operational excellence and regulatory alignment.
• Administers asset management systems, SCADA, and other operational software.
• Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies, consultants, contractors, developers, and community members to ensure regulatory compliance and responsive service.
• Oversees programs and projects; reviews plans and specifications for infrastructure.
• Prepares reports and presentations to support informed decision-making.
• Conducts site inspections and monitors compliance with specifications and performance.
• Plans, prioritizes, and evaluates Division programs for regulatory standards.
• Interfaces with agencies on inspections, notices of violation, resilience planning, and regulatory matters.
• Serves as the Division’s primary contact for professional services contracts related to regulatory affairs.
• Provides testimony or participates in hearings before regulatory bodies.
• Assists Director with budgeting; monitors expenditures and reports.
• Supervises and develops personnel; fosters a safe, collaborative environment.
• Represents the division at meetings and prepares presentations.
• Monitors legislative developments and responds to emergencies affecting service delivery.
• Acts on behalf of the Director when designated.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Budgeting

Communication

Leadership

Project management

Regulatory interpretation

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science/engineering

Texas Level B water/wastewater certification

Texas Driver's License

Tools

SCADA

Job description

Become part of a team that thrives on Professionalism, Innovation, Customer Experience, Integrity, and Teamwork — the values that guide how we serve our community.

The Assistant Director of Utilities – Water/Wastewater provides strategic leadership for the City’s water and wastewater utilities, directing operations, system planning, and asset management to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient service delivery. This role oversees the maintenance, regulatory compliance, and performance of water production, wastewater treatment, distribution and collection systems, reclaimed water, lift stations, storage facilities, and related support functions. This role manages key programs and projects, ensures alignment with City standards and regulatory requirements, and liaisons with governmental agencies, consultants, contractors, and developers. By addressing operational challenges, customer needs, and business priorities, the position drives continuous improvement and supports organizational decision-making. The Assistant Director also serves as a key advisor to the Director of Utilities, contributing to policy development and division-wide strategy.

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.

Manages and Coordinates Water/Wastewater Division Operations

• Oversees daily operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and service delivery across water production, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, reclaimed water, lift stations, booster stations, storage facilities, warehouse operations, and water quality functions.
• Participates in developing and implementing departmental policies, procedures, and long-range plans to support operational excellence and regulatory alignment.
• Administers and oversees Division technology resources, including asset management systems, SCADA, and other operational software.
• Coordinates with federal, state, and local agencies, engineering and legal consultants, contractors, developers, and community members to ensure information flow, regulatory compliance, and responsive service.

Administers Departmental Programs and Projects

• Oversees assigned programs and projects, including review of plans and specifications for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water infrastructure.
• Prepares and reviews project proposals, reports, analyses, and presentations to support informed decision-making.
• Conducts site inspections and monitors project activities for compliance with specifications and performance expectations.
• Plans, prioritizes, and evaluates Division programs, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and regulatory standards.

Coordinates Regulatory and Compliance Activities

• Interfaces with federal and state agencies on inspections, notices of violation, resilience planning, water rights actions, TPDES filings, CCN amendments, and other regulatory matters.
• Serves as the Division’s primary contact for professional services contracts related to regulatory affairs, including legal and engineering support.
• Provides testimony or participates in hearings and proceedings before TCEQ, PUC, SOAH, and other regulatory bodies.

Supports Budgeting and Financial Oversight

• Assists the Director of Utilities in preparing and administering the departmental budget; monitors expenditures, compiles financial reports, and communicates budget information to Division staff.

Provides Leadership and Personnel Management

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned personnel; communicates policies and expectations to ensure consistent performance and regulatory compliance.
• Provides guidance and leadership to foster a safe, collaborative, and effective work environment.

Represents the Division and City

• Serves on boards and committees as assigned and represents the City at professional meetings, workshops, and regulatory proceedings.
• Prepares and delivers presentations in support of Division initiatives and citywide objectives.

Miscellaneous

• Monitors legislative developments affecting water and wastewater utility operations.
• Responds to emergency incidents and unplanned events to support continuous service delivery.
• Acts on behalf of the Director of Utilities when designated.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or related field. Commensurate combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience managing water/wastewater utilities operations with five (5) years in senior level management.
• Level B Water and/or Wastewater Certification issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is required within two (2) years of employment.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of State and Federal environmental regulations, municipal codes, and industry standards applicable to water and wastewater utility operations.
• Knowledge of technical drawings, specifications, maps, equipment manuals, and other operational documentation.
• Knowledge of potable and reclaimed water treatment, transmission, distribution, pumping, storage, wastewater collection, and centralized treatment systems.
• Skill in preparing and reviewing budgets, proposals, reports, and summaries to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication, including maintaining positive working relationships with City staff, external agencies, contractors, vendors, and the public.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating personnel to build a high-performing team.
• Skill in managing departmental projects, programs, and budget resources.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulatory requirements and technical materials accurately.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in operational decisions and resolve conflicts effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds rarely. Subject to vision constantly; sitting, handling, fine dexterity and hearing frequently; standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, balancing, talking and foot controls occasionally; kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting and climbing rarely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working conditions involve occasional exposure to maintenance machinery, vehicle/equipment hazards, exhaust fumes, and hazardous chemicals.