Operations Manager - Utilities

Pinellas County Government; Palm Harbor (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinellas County Government in Largo, Florida seeks an Operations Manager for the Repair & Maintenance Section of the Utilities Department, overseeing water, sewer, and reclaim services. The role emphasizes budgeting, planning, and staff supervision with regulatory compliance across agencies.

The position involves coordinating with staff, contractors, and regulators, developing annual budgets, and guiding asset maintenance and safety programs in a public utility setting.

Qualifications

• Experience implementing a major utilities water, sewer, and reclaim program in Florida with supervisory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid Florida CDL A with tanker endorsement.
• Valid Florida Water Distribution System Operator License or ability to obtain.
• Ability to lead, train, and supervise diverse staff.

Responsibilities

• Draft and execute an annual budget and provide recommendations to the section manager and director.
• Implement work management plans for a fleet of vehicles and equipment.
• Develop maintenance plans for designated assets and facilities.
• Ensure compliance with environmental laws, permits, and regulations.
• Prepare presentations, contract specs, and cost estimates for the division.
• Coordinate meetings with county staff, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Supervise staff and provide guidance to subordinates.
• Act as liaison with municipal, state, and federal agencies and handle public relations.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Budgeting

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Public communication

Vendor coordination

Education

Natural science

Business administration

Public administration

Bachelor’s degree

Associate degree

Master’s degree

High school diploma or GED

Commercial Driver's License A with tanker endorsement

Water Distribution System Operator License (Florida)

Tools

OPUS/Oracle

Cityworks

ESRI GIS

Job description

6730 142nd Ave N., Largo, 33771

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Apply to be a proud member of the Repair & Maintenance Section of the Utilities Department that includes water, sewer, and reclaimed services.

The Repair & Maintenance Operations Manager performs highly independent supervisory and administrative work managing programs and operations within the department. The Operations Manager is responsible for organizing, planning, and coordinating activities of the specific area and supervises various staff elements or a unit that can include technical, professional, and operational personnel including, for example, technical operations activities, support functions, technical services, as well as public works, utilities, or parks infrastructure, projects, and programs. Responsibility also entails implementing short-term and long-range strategic and tactical planning for the incumbent's area of assignment and inter/intra consultations regarding issues such as complying with new laws, rules, regulations, environment, safety, documentation, preparing work plans, recordkeeping, verifying employee certifications, public contact, and training. Administratively under the direct supervision of the section manager, employees will have wide latitude for independent judgment, initiative, and discretion in carrying out assignments and programs to obtain the maximum degree of efficiency and effectiveness.

What Will You Do

• Draft and execute an annual budget and make procedural and operational recommendations to the section manager and director.
• Implement work management plans covering a fleet of vehicles and equipment specific to the operations.
• Implement maintenance management plans for assigned assets.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes governing environmental law and health and permit conditions.
• Provide guidance and direction in the preparation of presentations, contract specifications, and cost estimates for the division.
• Develop, modify, and maintain procedures required by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
• Coordinate meetings of and between county staff, contractors, and regulatory agencies on operational requirements and issues.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state statutes and various codes governing asset-specific maintenance.
• Interview, select, plan, organize, and review the work of subordinates; provides managerial and technical guidance to supervisory, operational, and administrative staff.
• Act in a liaison capacity with municipal, state, and federal government agencies and conduct public relations activities.
• Make procedural and operational recommendations to the Section Manager.
• Implement work management plans in designated assignment areas.
• Investigate and respond to citizen complaints and inquiries regarding the maintenance of County-owned water, sewer, and reclaim lines.
• Monitor and track program expenditures and cost estimates for designated assignment areas within the division.
• Manage personnel needs by conducting interviews, delegating work of subordinates, reviewing work performed, and administering discipline.
• Maintain and monitor comprehensive records of work.
• Perform other office and related administrative assignments, including computer functions.
• Effectively communicate directives and instructions with staff.
• Promote and maintain professional links with all levels of staff, the public, and other organizations.
• Direct and provide leadership in relation to long-range planning for programs and activities in line with approved levels of service and target.
• Prepare specifications for vehicles, equipment, and operational supplies.
• Perform related work as assigned or required.

What Do You Need

Experience: Implementing a major utilities water, sewer, and reclaim management program within the State of Florida, including two years of supervisory experience or supervisory training.

Education: Natural science, business administration, public administration, or related field.

• 5 years of experience as described above.
• High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED) and 5 years of experience as described above.
• Associate degree and three years of experience as described above.
• Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience as described above.
• Master’s or higher-level degree as described above.
• An equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience.
• Possession and maintenance of a valid State of Florida Commercial Driver's License Level A with a tanker endorsement.
• Possession and maintenance of a State of Florida Level 1 Water Distribution System Operator License obtained in accordance with Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-602, Drinking Water and Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators.
• Assignment to work a variety of work schedules, including compulsory work periods in special, emergency, and/or disaster situations.
• Required to be on Standby Rotations.

Highly Desirable

• Knowledge of rules and regulations for the Department of Environmental Protection of Chapter 62-602, Drinking Water and Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators.
• Skilled in utilizing asset and data management system software, including OPUS/Oracle, Cityworks, ESRI GIS, and /or Mapping of County Assets.
• Possess job-related license(s) or qualifications.