Manager - Utilities

City-of-Raleigh-N; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Raleigh’s Water Treatment Division seeks an experienced Utilities Manager to oversee two treatment plants and related facilities. You will ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations while supervising staff and directing budgeting and asset management.

You will act as ORC, liaise with regulatory bodies, engineers, and consultants, and drive continuous improvement across operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science or related field.
• 7 to 9 years of supervisory level water/wastewater infrastructure experience.
• Ability to interpret regulatory requirements and manage budgets and training.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of two water treatment plants and related infrastructure.
• Serve as Operator Responsible in Charge (ORC) and liaison with agencies and consultants.
• Plan and direct division operations, regulatory compliance, and asset management.
• Develop and monitor operating budget; authorize expenditures and resource allocation.
• Supervise staff, assign workloads, and provide training and development.
• Prepare reports and communicate plant data to executive management.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Facilitating group discussions

Staff supervision

Prioritizing processes

Project management

Budget administration

Data interpretation and reporting

Training and development

Communication with staff and public

Leadership and decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

Raleigh Water is the City of Raleigh’s publicly owned water utility, providing clean, award-winning drinking water and reliable wastewater services to more than 650,000 residents across Raleigh and its merger communities. The department operates multiple treatment facilities and manages thousands of miles of water and sewer infrastructure, delivering essential public health and environmental protection services. Raleigh Water is recognized for operational excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainability and dependable service.

The Utilities Manager over the Water Treatment Division is responsible for the operation and administration of the City’s two water treatment plants and related infrastructure, including ensuring that operations are in conformance with applicable laws and regulations, that subordinate staff are appropriately trained, and that facilities and equipment are properly operated and maintained. The position is responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the City’s water treatment plants. The position serves as the system Operator Responsible in Charge (ORC), specialist, liaison, and advocate for the City of Raleigh, with regular contact and interactions with staff and consultants; other public agencies; public and private community organizations; regulatory and governmental agencies, and members of the public.

About You:

You are a detail-oriented and proactive professional who enjoys supporting a team through a blend of administrative and technical responsibilities. You are comfortable working with spreadsheets, databases, and are familiar with applicable federal and state drinking water regulations, and you communicate clearly with staff at all levels. You manage multiple tasks with ease, maintain accuracy in your work, and thrive in an environment where priorities may shift quickly.

About Us:

The Water Treatment Division manages, and directs the operations maintenance, regulatory compliance, and assets of the City’s water treatment division, which includes multiple facilities and programs. Develops, executes, and evaluates strategic short-range and long-range plans and criteria for a variety of projects, programs, and division activities. Coordinates facility, process, and project activities within the division, between other Utility divisions and City departments, and with outside consultants. Supervises service unit/divisions programs through subordinate second-level supervisors.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises, manages, and evaluates assigned employees and makes decisions about hiring, discipline and/or termination of employees; prioritizes and assigns work; develops and oversees employee work schedules and approves time away from work; provides and/or facilitates employee training and development; addresses employee concerns and/or problems; counsels and/or disciplines as appropriate; completes employee performance appraisals; determines or makes recommendations regarding new hire salaries and salary changes; and acts as liaison between employees and management
• Plans, organizes, and provides divisional direction and oversight of operations of assigned renewable, resource recovery utility treatment facilities
• Collects and organizes plant operational and laboratory data for reporting to state regulatory agencies. Prepares monthly monitoring reports and develops and produces computerized reports/forms for communication of plant data to executive management
• Reviews and monitors reports, performance data, trends and processes. Provides solutions to technical issues; researches and reviews regulatory issues and determines program impact. Ensures reporting and compliance with applicable regulations, processes, plans and policies
• Reviews and monitors construction projects and design proposals for facility upgrades, modifications and expansions. Provides project and service provider recommendations, and monitors contract compliance
• Prepares, manages and oversees compliance with the division operating budget. Reviews and approves expenditures and resource allocation; prepares forecasts and budget projections
• Performs related work as required

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree or 4 Years of College in Environmental Science or related field; 7 to 9 years’ experience in supervisory level water/wastewater infrastructure system maintenance and repair, project scheduling, or related work

OR

Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record, or the ability to obtain within 60 days of hire
• North Carolina Grade A Surface Water Operator License

Knowledge of:

• Water treatment methods
• Principles and practices of program management
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research
• Principles and practices of business process analysis and documentation
• Principles and methods of continual improvement
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations
• Principles of project management
• Principles of budget administration
• Principles of asset management
• Principles of customer service
• Best practices, trends, and emerging technologies
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations
• Filing and record-keeping principles
• Specialized equipment relevant to the area of assignment
• Occupational hazards and applicable safety principles and practice
• Standard practices, methods and materials of assigned work
• Uses and properties of supplies and equipment
• Modern office practices and procedures including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications such as word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications
• Specialized software programs and systems relevant to area of assignment
• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques

Skill in:

• Analytical and critical thinking
• Facilitating group discussions and building consensus using persuasive reasoning
• Identifying program-related deficiencies and implementing solutions
• Supervising and evaluating staff performance
• Prioritizing and managing processes and project activities
• Authoring and preparing original reports, technical documents, and resource materials
• Developing and providing training and supporting educational materials
• Interpreting, monitoring, and reporting data and statistics
• Providing direction to others to meet standards
• Interacting with coworkers, leadership, the general public, and others to exchange or convey information and influence change

Ability to:

• Make interpretive decisions on behalf of the organization regarding the means for executing goals and initiatives.
• Provide context for the work to be accomplished by subordinates supervised within the units managed
• Serve in lieu of Assistant Directors as needed
• Supervise professional, paraprofessional and support staff
• Exercise political acumen, tact and diplomacy
• Provide analysis of processes and systems and define business requirements
• Utilize a computer and relevant software applications
• Lead and train others, trouble shoot issues, and make sound judgement calls

ADA and Other Requirements:

Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment. Employees may occasionally work in a street environment (near moving traffic), vehicle, warehouse environment, or shop environment. Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures. Employees may occasionally be exposed to individuals who are hostile or irate.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.