Bessemer Utilities Assistant Operations Manager

pbjcal; United States; On-site; USD 79,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Pension plan

Generous paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

The City of Bessemer is seeking a Utilities Assistant Operations Manager to support the Utilities Operations Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the Utilities Department, which provides water and electric services to more than 40,000 customers.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating projects, promoting workplace safety, and collaborating with internal departments to maintain reliable and efficient utility services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited university or college.
• Experience supervising employees, including performance appraisals and disciplinary actions.
• Experience in a utility setting following safety and regulatory guidelines.
• Experience managing distribution projects and coordinating with engineers.
• Experience planning safety and training sessions.
• Experience monitoring an annual budget and preparing bidding specs.

Responsibilities

• Provides operational leadership across electric and water utility functions, ensuring high service standards and compliance.
• Assists in budget preparation, monitoring expenditures, and aligning spending with goals.
• Directs planning, execution, and evaluation of utility projects and system upgrades.
• Oversees staff; assigns work, coaches, and ensures policy adherence.
• Leads staff training programs on equipment, safety, and service standards.
• Develops policies and goals to improve efficiency, safety, and preparedness.
• Collaborates with departments, stakeholders, and regulators to resolve issues and drive projects.
• Assesses tools and resources to maintain safety and efficiency in field operations.
• Keeps abreast of industry best practices and regulations to guide improvements.
• Represents the department in industry and community meetings.

Skills

Experience supervising employees

Performance appraisals

Hiring recommendations

Disciplinary action

Budget monitoring

Safety and training planning

Project coordination

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field

Job description

TARGET CLOSE DATE

10/09/2026

PAY GRADE

Grade 32

TYPE

Full time

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Bessemer is seeking a Utilities Assistant Operations Manager. This role supports the Utilities Operations Manager in overseeing the daily operations of the Utilities Department, which provides water and electric services to more than 40,000 customers. Responsibilities include supporting infrastructure planning, ensuring regulatory compliance, supervising staff, coordinating projects, promoting workplace safety, collaborating with internal departments, and helping maintain reliable and efficient utility services.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The City of Bessemer provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:

$79,331 - $123,073

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, or a related field from an accredited university or college.
• Experience supervising employees, to include conducting performance appraisals, correcting employee deficiencies, recommending disciplinary action, and making hiring recommendations.
• Experience working in a private or public utility following state rules for safety, National Safety Codes, OSHA guidelines, and/or ADEM guidelines.
• Experience managing and/or designing distribution construction projects to include consulting with engineers to determine project specifications for newly installed power or water distribution systems.
• Experience planning and implementing safety and training sessions.
• Experience monitoring an annual budget to include reviewing and approving purchases of supplies, materials, equipment, and preparing bidding specifications.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES

• Provides operational support and strategic leadership across electric and water utility functions, ensuring high service standards and regulatory compliance.
• Assists in the preparation, monitoring, and administration of the departmental budget. Reviews expenditure reports, tracks spending, and ensures budget alignment with operational goals.
• Directs the planning, execution, and evaluation of electrical and water utility projects, including infrastructure improvements, maintenance schedules, and system upgrades.
• Oversees staff by assigning work duties, monitoring performance, providing coaching and feedback, and ensuring adherence to departmental policies and procedures.
• Leads the development and implementation of staff training programs related to utility equipment, safety protocols, and service standards.
• Develops and recommends policies, procedures, and goals to enhance operational efficiency, emergency preparedness, and organizational development.
• Collaborates with internal departments, external stakeholders, and regulatory agencies to resolve service issues, manage projects, and ensure customer satisfaction.
• Evaluates tools, equipment, and resource needs to maintain safety and efficiency across field operations.
• Stays informed of industry best practices, local/state/federal regulations, and emerging technologies to guide continuous improvement efforts.
• Engages in professional development and represents the department at relevant industry and community meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Job involves occasional moderate physical exertion required for occasional prolonged periods of stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, balancing, and climbing. May involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is conducted mostly indoors in office setting using standard office equipment, such as a computer and phone. This work is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods. Some duties are conducted during field visits to outdoor worksites such as near roadways and power distribution sites. The employee may be exposed to weather conditions, such as extreme hot or cold temperatures, or other potentially hazardous conditions such as near roadway traffic or near animal or wildlife such as snakes, rodents, etc.

EEO STATEMENT

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, le