PROGRAM MANAGER - UTILITY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY *

City of Fort Smith; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Fort Smith is seeking a Program Manager to lead the Environmental Quality Program within Water Resources. You will oversee laboratory operations, watershed management, FOG and pretreatment programs, and related budgets.

Responsibilities include strategic planning, regulatory compliance, staff supervision, and coordinating with public and stakeholder groups to advance environmental quality initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or higher in environmental field and relevant experience in lab and watershed management.
• Minimum five years combined experience in laboratory, watershed management, and pretreatment programs.
• Minimum five years supervisory experience and three years of management experience.
• Licenses: Grade IV Water Treatment, Grade IV Water Distribution, Class IV Wastewater or equivalent within specified timelines.

Responsibilities

• Direct program direction, priorities, budgets, and initiatives for Environmental Quality Program.
• Manage laboratory operations, watershed management, FOG and pretreatment programs.
• Provide leadership, training, and evaluation of staff; supervise supervisors and other employees.
• Communicate with stakeholders and prepare reports and presentations on program objectives and results.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for water and sewer systems.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor in Environmental Management or related field

Environmental Engineering

Biology or Chemistry

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Regulatory databases

Job description

PROGRAM MANAGER - UTILITY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY *

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent, under the guidance and direction of the Deputy Director of Water Resources, this position is responsible for the effective and efficient management and administration of the Environmental Quality Program, including the analytical laboratory, Lee Creek and Frog Bayou (Lake Fort Smith) watershed management, industrial pretreatment and FOG programs; and for providing subject matter guidance in developing long-term and short-term goals, strategic objectives and initiatives, operating and capital budgets, and financial plans.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Note: All City of Fort Smith positions require the employee to provide good customer service to both internal and external customers, maintain positive and effective working relationships with other City employees, and have regular and reliable attendance that is non-disruptive. Must show cooperation and respect to fellow employees and supervisors at all times. All other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or department director.

• Assists in program direction, priorities, goals, objectives, budgets, and initiatives to fulfill the mission of the City and Water Resources Department.
• Effectively manage the Water Resources Department’s environmental projects, laboratory, watersheds, FOG and industrial pretreatment programs, and organizational structure; and effectively resolve escalated personnel and other sensitive matters.
• Develop resources for a successfully Environmental Quality Program, including records and data, inventories, computer and information systems, FOG program, mitigation program, and an engaged and effective staff.
• Provide research, analysis, reports, presentations, and recommendations on Water Resources Department laboratory, watersheds, mitigation project, and FOG and industrial pretreatment programs; and reports for treatment plants and systems based on sample analysis data.
• Communicate verbally and in writing within and outside the Water Resources Department for planning and coordination, assisting with presentations to a wide variety of public and stakeholder groups, and tactfully handling sensitive matters with discretion.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and manage goals and objectives, capital budgets, environmental projects, and human resources.
• Thorough knowledge of laboratory methods, watershed management and source water protection techniques and practices, and industrial pretreatment and FOG regulations.
• Thorough understanding and ability to provide leadership, motivation, supervision, training, and evaluation of the workforce through supervisory staff.
• Familiar with regulatory requirements for water and sewer systems.
• Familiar with development techniques of new programs.
• Participates in classes and/or attend conferences that are deemed necessary by the Deputy Director of Water Resources and/or Director of Water Resources.
• Follows City, Water Resources Department, and Wastewater Treatment Program safety practices and guidelines at all times, including wearing proper personal protective/safety equipment.
• Regular attendance and timeliness is required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises one (1) Laboratory Supervisors, one (1) Watershed Supervisor, and one (1) Environmental Monitoring Supervisors. Indirectly supervises up to twenty-one (21) other employees within the program. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems, both internal and citizen related.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Environmental Management, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field; or experience equivalent to a listed degree in addition to the following described experiences may be considered.
• Five (5) years combined experience in laboratory, watershed management, environmental laboratory, and/or FOG and industrial pretreatment.
• Five (5) years supervisory experience is required.
• Three (3) years management experience or confirmation of related management coursework is required.
• Must possess a Grade IV Water Treatment Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, or obtain said license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must possess a Grade IV Water Distribution Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Health, or obtain said license within three (3) years from date of employment.
• Must possess a Class IV Wastewater Operators License as issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality or be able to obtain the license within six (6) years from date of employment.
• Thorough understanding and ability to provide leadership, motivation, supervision, training, and evaluation of the workforce through supervisory staff.
• Familiar with regulatory requirements for water and sewer systems.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must be knowledgeable of all regulatory requirements.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Perferred experience in driving boats, hauling boats, and backing boat trailers.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to read and interpret complex documents such as federal regulations, policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write complex reports and correspondence.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are also required.
• Ability to effectively communicate with industry representatives, employees, federal or state regulators.
• Ability to verbally communicate and provide excellent customer service.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, percent, area, circumference, volume, and interpret graphs.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to use math to compute needed statistics for compliance determination.
• Ability to understand in written, oral, or diagram form complex variables and analyze them and explain results to others.
• The incumbent should possess knowledge of the use of tools and equipment in the department.
• The employee should also have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment.
• Knowledge in the use of computers using Windows based word-processing, spreadsheet, and database application software.
• Availability for emergency afterhours, holiday, and weekend callout work is required.
• Working overtime may be required.

POSITION DESIGNATIONS

This position isdesignated as essential during inclement weather events. City services will be maintained during inclement weather, such as heavy snow or ice storms and all essential employees are expected to report to work due to the critical functions of the position. This position is not able to work remote. This position does have the potential to drive as part of their regular job duties. This position isdesignated as a safety/security sensitive position and is subject to random DOT drug and alcohol screenings and/or non-DOT drug and alcohol screenings (a safety/security sensitive position is one in which a momentary lapse in attention may result in injury or death of another person).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand, walk, talk and hear. Occasionally sit, use hands to handle objects, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, color, distance and peripheral vision. Depth perception and the ability to adjust focus are also required. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic and poisonous chemicals, caustic and corrosive chemicals, bio hazardous material, explosive and flammable chemicals, and outdoor weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is at risk of electrical shock, radiation and vibration, and in high precarious places. The incumbent is also exposed to non-weather related wet, humid conditions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is occasionally will work outside in the elements including cold weather, sunny weather, snow or rain, or extreme heat. The employee may also be required to be on lakes in boats or walking in uneven terrain such as woodland areas. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS

• Criminal History Background Check
• Post Offer Drug Screen in accordance with the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment
• Motor Vehicle Record Check

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Notice of Consent Decree Posting

The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas (“City”) has entered into a Consent Decree in litigation with the United States of America and the State of Arkansas (“Consent Decree”). The Consent Decree was filed on April 6, 2015, in civil action 14-cv-02266-PKH, pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas Fort Smith Division. The Consent Decree and Consent Decree Modification are available for review or copying on the City’s website where it may be found at https://www.fortsmithar.gov/government/departments/water-utilities/consent-decree

**This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee and/or applicant. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice**