General Manager

City of Spring Hill; Spring Hill (AL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Spring Hill is seeking an experienced General Manager for Spring Hill Water to lead the water and wastewater utility, ensure safe and reliable service, and drive strategic priorities. This executive role oversees operations, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and capital projects while working closely with City leadership and regulators.

Ideal candidates will have a strong track record in municipal utility management, budget administration, and stakeholder engagement, with the ability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field (civil/environmental/public administration or closely related).
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible water/wastewater utility management experience.
• At least three years in a managerial position.
• Municipal/public-sector utility management experience strongly preferred.
• PE license preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and overall management of Spring Hill Water and its water and wastewater operations.
• Represent the utility before City leadership, elected officials, regulatory agencies, community organizations, customers, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of all utility divisions, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of services.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, permits, and requirements (TDEC, EPA, OSHA, etc.).
• Develop, recommend, administer, and monitor the annual operating budget, SPARTAN budget, and long-term financial plans.
• Direct the SPARTAN Program and oversee major infrastructure projects; manage capital improvements and asset management.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, public administration, business administration, water resources, environmental science, or related field

PE license preferred

Job description

Summary

Under the general direction of the Assistant City Administrator, the General Manager of Spring Hill Water is responsible for the overall leadership, management, administration, and strategic direction of the City’s water and wastewater utility operations.
The General Manager provides executive oversight of all utility functions, including water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, infrastructure planning, capital improvements, regulatory compliance, financial management, customer service, personnel, and operational performance.
The General Manager is responsible for ensuring that Spring Hill Water provides safe, reliable, efficient, and financially sustainable utility services while maintaining compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, permits, and industry standards.
This is a full-time, exempt executive position. The ideal candidate will be an experienced utility leader with a demonstrated record of managing complex water and wastewater systems, developing and administering budgets, overseeing capital improvement programs, maintaining regulatory compliance, leading personnel, and working effectively with elected officials, City leadership, employees, customers, regulatory agencies, contractors, and the community.

Examples of duties

Executive Leadership & Utility Management

• Provide executive leadership and overall management of Spring Hill Water and its water and wastewater operations.
• Serve as the primary administrative and operational leader for Spring Hill Water and represent the utility before City leadership, elected officials, regulatory agencies, community organizations, customers, contractors, consultants, and other stakeholders.
• Serve as the City’s principal utility management representative in matters involving water and wastewater operations.
• Develop and implement the utility’s strategic goals, operational policies, performance objectives, and long-term service delivery plans.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, customer service, financial performance, employee development, and long-term utility sustainability.

Operations

• Direct and oversee the day-to-day operations of all utility divisions, ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of services.
• Monitor utility performance, operational metrics, service levels, regulatory requirements, financial indicators, and infrastructure conditions, and take corrective action when necessary.
• Ensure that Spring Hill Water facilities, equipment, and operations are maintained in a manner that protects public health, employee safety, environmental quality, and the long-term reliability of the utility.
• Establish and maintain operational procedures consistent with industry best practices and applicable regulatory requirements.

Regulatory Compliance, Safety & Environmental Stewardship

• Ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, permits, and requirements, including those administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and other regulatory agencies.
• Oversee programs and operations necessary to maintain compliance with water and wastewater regulations, permits, and standards.
• Ensure facilities, equipment, and operations support employee safety, environmental quality, and protection of public health.

Financial Management, Budget & Rates

• Develop, recommend, administer, and monitor the utility’s annual operating budget, SPARTAN budget, financial plans, and long-term financial objectives.
• Oversee utility rate analysis, financial sustainability, revenue requirements, expenditure controls, and long-term capital funding strategies.
• Monitor financial indicators and take corrective action when necessary.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial performance and long-term utility sustainability.

Capital Improvement & Infrastructure Management

• Direct the development, implementation, and monitoring of the utility’s SPARTAN Program, including planning, prioritization, funding, design, construction, and completion of major infrastructure projects.
• Oversee the planning, maintenance, replacement, and expansion of water and wastewater infrastructure and assets.
• Establish and maintain effective asset management and preventative maintenance programs.
• Monitor infrastructure conditions and prioritize investments to maintain system reliability and support long‑term service needs.

Procurement, Contracts & External Partnerships

• Oversee procurement activities and contract administration for engineering, construction, equipment, maintenance, professional services, and other utility-related contracts.
• Direct and coordinate relationships with engineering firms, contractors, consultants, vendors, governmental agencies, and regional utility partners.
• Ensure effective contract performance, project delivery, and accountability among external service providers and partners.

Technology, Innovation & Performance Management

• Ensure appropriate utilization and advancement of technology, including SCADA, GIS, asset management systems, utility management software, and other operational technologies.
• Monitor operational and financial performance through appropriate metrics, reporting systems, and performance indicators.
• Maintain current knowledge of emerging utility technologies, industry practices, funding opportunities, and water and wastewater management trends.
• Identify and implement opportunities for innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

Emergency Management & Business Continuity

• Develop and maintain comprehensive emergency preparedness, continuity of operations, and response plans for water and wastewater systems.
• Establish emergency response procedures and ensure organizational readiness for system failures, service interruptions, regulatory events, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
• Lead or coordinate the utility’s response to significant operational issues and emergencies.

Community Relations, Customer Service & Communication

• Oversee public communication, customer service, community outreach, and response to significant utility issues, service interruptions, emergencies, and customer concerns.
• Prepare and present reports, recommendations, budgets, capital plans, operational updates, and other information to City leadership, elected officials, boards, commissions, and other stakeholders as required.
• Represent Spring Hill Water in public, governmental, community, and stakeholder forums and communicate complex utility matters clearly and effectively.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, public administration, business administration, water resources, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in water and/or wastewater utility management, including at least three (3) years in a managerial position.
• Demonstrated experience managing utility operations, personnel, budgets, regulatory compliance, capital improvement programs, and infrastructure projects.
• Municipal or public-sector utility management experience strongly preferred.
• Equivalent combinations of education and/or training, and experience that demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities may be considered.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Water and/or Wastewater Operator Certification preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
• AWWA, WEF, or comparable utility management and leadership training or certification desirable.
• Other professional certifications related to water, wastewater, utility management, asset management, emergency management, or public administration are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities for Successful Job Performance:

• Comprehensive knowledge of water and wastewater utility operations, including treatment processes, distribution and collection systems, infrastructure, maintenance, asset management, and utility technologies such as SCADA and GIS.
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, permits, and industry standards applicable to public water and wastewater utilities, including TDEC, EPA, OSHA, and AWWA requirements.
• Knowledge of public utility financial management, including operating and capital budgeting, rate structures, revenue requirements, financial forecasting, capital planning, and long‑term financial strategies.
• Knowledge of capital improvement planning and infrastructure management, including engineering principles, infrastructure financing, construction management, procurement, contract administration, and project delivery.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations and public utility administration, including organizational development, personnel management, employee relations, workplace safety, risk management, emergency management, and business continuity.
• Ability to provide executive leadership and establish strategic direction for a complex municipal water and wastewater utility while supporting and emulating the values, vision, and priorities established by the City Administrator and Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
• Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and hold accountable a diverse workforce across multiple operational and administrative functions while fostering a safe, productive, and professional work environment.
• Ability to analyze complex operational, financial, regulatory, personnel, and infrastructure issues and make sound, timely decisions that result in practical, sustainable, and cost‑effective solutions.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple complex projects and organizational priorities, including capital improvements, budgets, contracts, consultants, contractors, vendors, and other external partners.
• Ability to communicate effectively and build productive relationships with employees, elected officials, City leadership, customers, residents, regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, vendors, and the general public; respond to customers and stakeholders promptly, accurately, and professionally; and prepare and present financial, technical, operational, and strategic information.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Successful completion of a background investigation.

Working Conditions

• Work is performed in both office and field environments and may require visits to water and wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, reservoirs, construction sites, and other utility locations.
• Position may require attendance at evening meetings, public meetings, emergency response activities, or other events outside normal working hours.
• The General Manager must be available to respond to significant operational emergencies, regulatory matters, and critical utility issues as necessary.
• Work may involve exposure to weather conditions, construction environments, treatment facilities, mechanical equipment, chemicals, and other conditions associated with water and wastewater utility operations.

Supplemental information

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Spring Hill is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Reasonable Accommodation

The City is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at [e-mail].

Job Description Disclaimer

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. The City reserves the right to assign, modify, or remove duties and responsibilities as operational needs require. Nothing in this job description creates an express or implied contract of employment. Employment with the City remains at will unless otherwise provided by applicable law or written agreement.