Director of Operations and Maintenance

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Milwaukee (WI); Presencial; USD 140 000 - 190 000; Tempo integral

Resumo da oferta

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) seeks a Director of Operations and Maintenance to establish and lead a new division responsible for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major corrective maintenance with a private O&M contractor. You will build the division’s management team, set accountability, and align priorities with MMSD’s strategic goals.

You will oversee contractor performance, ensure reliable data through CMMS, and coordinate with Executive

Qualificações

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, science (water/wastewater/maintenance) or related field.
• Ten years of job-related experience; advanced degrees may count.
• Experience leading managers and technically diverse teams, establishing expectations and accountability.
• Knowledge of wastewater operations, asset management, and impact of outages/wet-weather events.

Responsabilidades

• Establish and lead the Operations and Maintenance Division with managers and staff.
• Direct transition from contract compliance to broader division responsibilities.
• Oversee the private O&M contractor, evaluate performance, and enforce contracts.
• Develop clear authority, performance expectations, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Oversee outages, wet-weather operations, energy use, and CSO decisions as required.
• Direct asset management integrating condition, maintenance, risk, and renewal needs.
• Guide CMMS implementation and data quality for asset and maintenance reporting.
• Evaluate contractor recommendations and retain operational knowledge through transitions.
• Coordinate with executives and other functions on risks, contracts, and priorities.
• Communicate performance and risks to executive leadership and initiate corrective actions.
• Complete special projects as assigned.

Conhecimentos

Leadership

Contract management

Communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Team development

Formação académica

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent

Ferramentas

CMMS

Descrição da oferta de emprego

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is a regional governmental agency that serves 1.1 million people in the greater Milwaukee area. MMSD provides water reclamation, flood management, and green infrastructure services for our community. Our mission is to protect public health and the environment through world-class, cost-effective water resource management, leadership, and partnership. Join our diverse team and support your community while protecting our environment.

MMSD is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of Operations and Maintenance in the Operations and Maintenance Division. Reporting to the Executive Director, you will establish and lead a new division responsible for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major corrective maintenance under a new agreement with a private operations and maintenance (O&M) contractor. You will build the division’s management team, integrate experienced staff, and establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and working relationships. This position offers the opportunity to shape how MMSD oversees critical wastewater infrastructure and develops the internal knowledge, systems, and capabilities needed for effective long-term stewardship.

• Establish and lead the Operations and Maintenance Division, including managers and staff responsible for operations oversight, maintenance oversight, asset management, and major corrective maintenance initiatives.
• Lead the transition from existing contract compliance functions to the broader responsibilities of the new division. Preserve institutional knowledge, support staff development, and establish accountability for new expectations and practices.
• Direct MMSD’s oversight of the private O&M contractor. Evaluate performance, address deficiencies, resolve issues, and maintain a productive working relationship while enforcing contractual requirements.
• Establish clear decision authority, performance expectations, and management practices. Develop managers’ technical judgment, leadership capabilities, and ability to work effectively across disciplines.
• Oversee decisions concerning facility outages, wet-weather operations, energy use/purchasing, and the necessity of combined sewer overflows in accordance with applicable requirements. Establish dependable coverage, delegation and escalation procedures, and respond to critical issues outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Direct asset management practices that integrate asset condition, maintenance requirements, operational risk, lifecycle cost, and renewal needs. Coordinate priorities with the Technical Services Division (TSD) and other MMSD functions.
• Guide the implementation and effective use of MMSD’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Establish expectations for reliable data, useful reporting, and staff proficiency in evaluating asset and maintenance information.
• Strengthen MMSD’s ability to independently evaluate contractor recommendations, assess performance, and retain operational and asset knowledge through staff and contractor transitions.
• Coordinate with executive leadership, TSD, legal counsel, and other functions to address operational risks, contractual matters, and competing organizational priorities.
• Communicate performance, risks, and recommendations clearly to executive leadership. Ensure that significant issues receive timely attention and that corrective actions address underlying causes.
• Complete special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, science (related to water, wastewater, or maintenance), or a related field.
• Ten years of job-related experience (advanced education degrees will be considered in lieu of experience).
• Demonstrated ability to lead managers and technically diverse teams, establish clear expectations, develop staff, and hold individuals accountable for results.
• Experience leading organizational change while maintaining effective operations and working relationships.
• Knowledge of wastewater operations, maintenance, infrastructure asset management, and the operational consequences of facility outages and wet‑weather events.
• Ability to administer complex service agreements, evaluate contractor performance, and resolve technical and contractual issues.
• Ability to evaluate competing technical recommendations, assess risk, and make timely decisions with incomplete information.
• Understanding of CMMS and asset management systems, data quality, and the use of operational information to support maintenance and investment decisions.
• Ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries and integrate operational, maintenance, and capital priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain consequential technical and operational matters to executive leadership.
• Ability to fulfill the position’s after-hours operational responsibilities and establish effective coverage and readiness within the division.
• Previous supervisory/management experience.
• Valid driver's license required and a good driving record at time of application, during the selection process, and throughout employment.
• At least one certification or license related to operations and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility. Examples include but are not limited to: Wisconsin Professional Engineer (PE) License, Wisconsin Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification, Power Plant Operating Engineer License, Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP), IAM Diploma in Asset Management, Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM), Certified Asset Management Professional (CAMP), and/or Project Management Professional (PMP).

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with MMSD policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints; and resolving problems.

Physical Requirements:

• This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 lbs. of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 lbs. of force.
• Work occasionally requires sitting, walking, standing, speaking, hearing, smelling, and repetitive motions.

Sensory Requirements:

• Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data.

Environmental Exposures:

• Work occasionally requires exposure to working near moving mechanical parts, in high/precarious places, and in outdoor weather conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location.

Requires the use of a hard hat, safety glasses, and steel-toed shoes as dictated by the location and type of work being performed.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

MMSD is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to being equitable and fair in providing access to opportunities for all!

MMSD is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.