Chief Executive Officer

Kennett Board of Public Works; Kennett (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennett Board of Public Works (KBPW) in Kennett, MO, seeks an experienced executive to manage and plan all activities of the utility system, with oversight by the Board of Public Works. The role includes safety-sensitive engineering leadership, strategic planning, and public relations responsibilities.

The position requires a bachelor’s or higher in engineering with extensive management experience, and the candidate must be prepared to be on-call for emergencies and to adhere to residency

Qualifications

• Residency requirement for employment within the policy.
• Minimum of five years of management or executive leadership experience.
• Direct responsibility for overseeing engineering, construction, capital projects, or infrastructure.
• Experience managing an organization’s budget and strategic planning.
• Experience with contract negotiation and regulatory compliance.
• Proven ability to act as the organization’s main public representative and foster stakeholder relations.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to be on call for utility emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all activities of the utility system for the City of Kennett as reviewed by the Board of Public Works.
• Lead short- and long-range strategic planning for the organization; provide leadership and complex professional engineering work.
• Administer environmental programs, public information initiatives, and community affairs.
• Manage engineering/construction programs and departmental facilities design and construction.
• Direct financial resources and human resources programs; oversee recruitment, compensation, and training.
• Coordinate information processing services and improve departmental activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Skills

Executive leadership

Engineering management

Budget management

Contract negotiation

Public relations

Residency compliance

On-call availability

Driver’s license

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Mechanical Engineering preferred

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

KBPW requires employee to work 40 hours per week during prescribed business hours. Vacation and sick leave benefits are provided to be used for any hours not worked during the work week. Additional compensation may be provided to Exempt employees for hours worked above the requirement at the discretion of the Board and/or CEO.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Employee is responsible for managing, planning, coordinating, and administering all activities of the utility system for the City of Kennett subject to review by the Board of Public Works. Responsible for the short- and long-range strategy of the organization subject to review by the Board of Public Works. Provides leadership and performs a variety of complex and advanced professional level engineering work. This position qualifies as safety sensitive under PSC guidelines.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by the Board of Directors, subject to reasonable accommodations.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs a variety of complex and advanced professional level engineering work involving both office and field activities.
• Responsible for the public affairs function, which includes the areas of media relations; conservation; intergovernmental relations; environmental coordination, and community affairs.
• Plans, supervises, directs, and evaluates the effectiveness of environmental programs.
• Analyzes data to develop recommendations for compliance with environmental legislation, and to minimize negative impact of departmental operations on the environment.
• Plans, develops, and administers a comprehensive public information program, including a variety of programs for the community, public and departmental work force.
• Responsible for administering all engineering/construction programs, including special projects and the design and construction of departmental facilities.
• Responsible for the management of the financial resources for the utility company.
• Responsible for the administration of all human resource programs including recruitment, selection and employment, compensation, benefits, training, and relations.
• Provides liaison with authorized users of information processing services and develops techniques and methods for improving departmental activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors.

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

Employee typically has a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and preferably Mechanical Engineering with appropriate industry experience. Proven experience in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures. Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgments. A negotiator who is experienced in contracts. Ability to maintain good public relation practices and an appropriate professional image. Ability to develop high performance teams being a strong team player. Commitment to company values. Conflict resolution and/or mediation skills. Strong interpersonal skills. Ability to work well with others and motivate people. Ability to foster a cooperative work environment. Excellent oral and written communications skill required. Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND OR WORKING ENVIRONMENTS:

Employee is subject to being on call twenty-four hours a day in case of emergencies. Employee must be able to traverse job site terrain with or without accommodation.

LICENSING CERTIFICATIONS:

Driver’s License

Residency Policy:

As of May 1, 2022, employees of City Light Gas and Water are required to live within a 10-mile radius, from 303 S. Anthony Street, Kennett, Missouri and are bound to the west by the St. Francis River located approximately 4.4 miles west, and to the east by Little River Floodway Ditch located approximately 3.85 miles east.

All new hires are required to adhere by this policy and must meet the residency requirements within six months of their hire date.

All employees shall have a telephone at their place of residence, landline or cellular service is acceptable. Unlisted telephone numbers will be permitted providing the number be made available to all departments of CLGW. If a cellular service is chosen, signal reliability is required. This is the responsibility of the employee.

General and Administrative employees must have a reliable internet connection furnished in the event remote work is forced. This is the responsibility of the employee.

Any employee violating the residency requirements may be suspended, demoted, or terminated by the Superintendent of Utilities.

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference checks, and/or job-related tests may be required. As a condition of employment, the successful applicant will be required to pass a standard physical and drug test.

The duties listed under each job description are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Basic Qualifications

• Must meet the residency requirement laid out in the job description
• Minimum of five years of management or executive leadership experience
• History of direct responsibility for overseeing engineering, construction, capital improvement, or other infrastructure projects
• History of responsibility for managing an organization's budget, financial resources, and strategic planning efforts
• Experience with contract negotiation and regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to serve as an organization's main public representative, maintain positive stakeholder relationships, and foster a cooperative work environment among partners
• Valid driver's license and willingness to be on call 24 hours a day for utility emergencies as required by this position

Additional Information

Salary is negotiable - based on experience and education.