Assistant Water Department General Manager

City of Compton; Compton (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Compton seeks an experienced leader to assist the Water Department General Manager in planning, organizing, coordinating and evaluating staff and operations. The role covers water utility maintenance, operations, and customer service, plus capital improvement planning and project oversight.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or Civil Engineering and five years in water distribution, including two years in a supervisory role, with CA licensing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Civil Engineering or related field.
• Five years progressively responsible water distribution operations experience, including two years supervisory/ managerial experience.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Assists with planning, organizing, coordinating and evaluating Water Department operations and personnel.
• Oversees water transmission and distribution system projects and customer service functions.
• Develops and monitors department goals, budgets and long-term plans.
• Represents the department to City officials and outside agencies; manages regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Supervising

Project management

Communication

Civil engineering

Water utility operations

Education

Business Administration degree

Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Under administrative direction of the Water Department General Manager assists the General Manager with planning, organizing, coordinating and evaluating the work of personnel engaged activities and operations of the Water Department including water utility maintenance, operations and customer service, capital improvement programs; planning, designing, constructing and maintaining water transmission and distribution systems; assists with the oversight of the City’s solid waste collection solid waste collection and recycling programs and related grant fund programs; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and performs other related duties.

Works under the administrative direction of the Water Department General Manager, serves as Acting General Manager in his/her absence, and exercises supervision over subordinate professional, supervisory, technical, paraprofessional and support personnel.

The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Assumes command of the department in the absence of the General Manager with full management responsibility for all Water Department personnel and activities including planning, designing, constructing and maintaining water utility maintenance, operations and customer service, capital improvement programs; planning, designing, constructing and maintaining water transmission and distribution systems; and emergency repairs.
• Assists with development and implementation of the Water Department goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area; establishes appropriate service and staffing levels within City policy; allocates resources accordingly.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and directs the implementation of changes.
• Reviews operations to ensure compliance with federal, state and county environmental guidelines; assists with regulatory compliance reporting as assigned.
• Assists with developing and presenting the departmental budget and grant applications, monitors expenditures; reviews and approves requisitions for supplies and materials; assists with developing and implementing long term plans, goals and objectives focused on supporting the City’s mission, City Council’s objectives, and/or requirements of the grantor.
• Coordinates the development and administration of specifications and contracts for capital improvement projects; reviews and approves the analysis of bids, recommends approval and develops procedures to monitor contract compliance.
  • Assists with developing and implementing long range maintenance and preventative maintenance schedules for water transmission and distribution facilities, infrastructure, vehicles and equipment.
  • Represents the Department to other City departments, elected officials and state or federal environmental protection agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies and activities; investigates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues including customer service complaints.
  • Provides leadership and works with supervisors to develop and retain highly competent staff through selection, compensation, training and management practices that support the City’s mission and values.
  • Prepares, reviews and approves the formal performance evaluation of department staff, and coaches staff for improvement and development; initiates disciplinary action up to and including dismissal as required to correct behavior.
  • Provides staff assistance to the General Manager; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; prepares and presents oral and written reports to the City Council, City Manager and other groups.
  • Coordinates department activities with those other departments, outside agencies and organizations; provides technical assistance as necessary.
  • Composes, reviews, edits and approves all reports including requests for Council action and weekly or monthly reports of departmental activity.
  • As called upon, attends various civic events as City representative; participates on a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of civil engineering and public works.
  • Assists with the oversight of the City’s solid waste and trash collection and recycling programs, waste reduction, and related grant funded programs to ensure environmental compliance and that contractual requirements and customer service/community needs are satisfied.
  • Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education and Experience

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Business Administration, Civil Engineering or a related field; AND five (5) years progressively responsible experience in the water distribution field operations including two (2) years supervisory/ managerial experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.
• Possession of Water Distribution Grade IVCertification in the state of California at time of appointment.

Required Knowledge of

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Principles and practices of water utility construction, operation, maintenance, repair and safety practices.
• State and federal construction administration and environmental protection codes and regulations, Health Department and Cal OSHA regulations.

• City Code, City Ordinances, Standard Operating Manual, personnel policies and procedures, and applicable Memoranda of Understanding.
• Project and contract management and cost estimation.
• Organizational and management practices applicable to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Utility economics and financing.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration and personnel management.
• Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.

Required Skill in

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with staff, City departments, elected officials, regulatory agencies, contractors, community groups, local businesses, and the general public.
• Understanding and negotiating complex technical agreements with other agencies.
• Developing and administering budgets and monitoring expenditures.
• Supervising, leading, and delegating tasks and authority.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Effective verbal and written communication.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment.
• Work may be performed outdoors with time spent in moderate to high temperatures (above 90 degrees).
• Work requires light lifting, carrying, driving and on occasion climbing (up to 4 feet).
• Moderate finger dexterity and near vision is required.
• Work may involve exposure to wet surfaces, uneven terrain, hazardous chemicals, dangerous machinery, occasional loud noise and dust when performing field inspections.

All applicants MUST meet the minimum qualifications for the position and submit ALL required documents -such as licenses, certifications, and proof of education- outlined in the job posting. Incomplete applications, including those missing any required documentation, will NOT be considered.

EXAMINATION

The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.

Phase one (1) is an oral examination (weighted 100%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. The oral examination may include graded simulation exercises, writing exercises, and oral presentations. A passing score for the oral exam is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via mail or e-mail.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS

The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS

Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE

All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE

A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

EXAMINATION RECORDS

All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.