Director of Utilities

City of Waxahachie; Waxahachie (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Waxahachie seeks an executive-level Director for the Utilities Department to plan, direct and oversee water and sewer operations, plant management, and capital projects. The role requires strategic policy development, budget planning, and collaboration with City Management and external agencies.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in engineering or a related field, with municipal utilities leadership and several years of progressive management experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible utilities management experience and administrative responsibility.
• Preference given to municipal experience as Director or Assistant Director of Utilities.

Responsibilities

• Direct department services and activities including water and sewer line maintenance and utility plant operations.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate work of subordinate staff and assign projects.
• Develop/oversee budget and forecast funds for staffing and equipment.
• Represent the Utilities department to city management and outside agencies.

Skills

Supervision

Budgeting

Engineering knowledge

Program administration

Water & wastewater operations

SCADA systems

Policy development

Communication

Staff development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, or related field

Tools

GIS

Excel

Budgeting software

Work order systems

Job description

Work collaboratively with Utilities staff to plan, direct, manage and oversee the activities and operations of the Utilities department. Responsibilities include administration, water and sewer line maintenance, and utility plant operations; coordinate departmental activities with other departments and outside agencies; and providing highly responsible and complex administrative support to City Management.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is an executive-level classification providing senior-level management. The employee performs his/her duties under minimal supervision.

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Direct department services and activities including water and sewer line maintenance and utility plant operations; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocate resources accordingly.
• Implementation and coordination of the department’s capital improvement program.
• Request and review engineering proposals and review construction plans.
• Oversee the development, implementing/updating the utility asset management program
• Recommend, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level employees, the Utilities Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Oversee and issue industrial pretreatment control documents; review and oversee monthly submittals of discharge reports to TCEQ and EPA; plan and coordinate improvements to the treatment facilities; perform hydraulic analysis on water distribution system.
• Collect and review flow data on the wastewater collection system; plan and coordinate daily maintenance of distribution and collection systems; prepare and administer wholesale water contracts.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate employee training; work with subordinate employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Lead strategic planning of some wastewater collection system maintenance activities.;
• Develop and implement a growth planning for the department.
• Develop, oversee, administer, and present the department budget; forecast funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Represent the Utilities department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to City Management, participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
• Stay abreast of current proposed state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the water and wastewater fields.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of utilities operations and maintenance.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Provide and/or oversee construction administration services such, but not limited to: project change orders; bidding procedures; contract negotiations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Development, operations, services and activities of a comprehensive utilities program.
• Principles and practices of engineering.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of water and sewer line maintenance and utility plant operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to utility plant operations.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment including, but not limited to, excel, word, power point, GIS, work order and budgeting software.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• SCADA systems.
• TCEQ regulations and Texas Water Code.
• Water and wastewater master planning
• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive utilities program.
• Principles and practices of engineering.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Methods and techniques of water and sewer line maintenance and utility plant operations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Recent developments, current literature, proposed regulatory changes and sources of information related to utility operations and maintenance including plant operations.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Methods and techniques of report preparation.
• Operations, services and activities of the city.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive utilities program.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures for providing effective and efficient public services which meet the needs of the community.
• Determine the feasibility of various municipal projects.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate employees.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate employees.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce departmental policies and procedures.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, business administration, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible utilities management experience and administrative responsibility.
• Preference will be given to candidates with municipal experience as a Director or Assistant Director of Utilities.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

• A valid State driver’s license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Valid Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) certification preferred.
• Professional Engineer License preferred.
• Professional Project Manager (PMP) Certification preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position requires regular in-person attendance including evenings and weekends as needed.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk and hear; use hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; and perform repetitive movements of hands or wrists.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment

The employee works in an office environment where the noise level is usually quiet. Certain positions within the classification may require availability to work flexible schedule.