Public Utilities Director
Athens Clarke County
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Job summary
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, GA seeks a Director of Public Utilities, the chief executive of the water and wastewater utility, responsible for safe drinking water, regulatory compliance, and the financial health of the enterprise fund.
This leader guides 200+ employees, sets strategic direction, and advises the Manager, Mayor, and Commission on rates, capital investment, growth, and water policy, representing ACCGov with regulators and the community.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering required; seven years of water/wastewater design and operations experience; two years in senior management; or equivalent.
- Five years of supervisory experience required.
- Valid driver's license required.
- PE license preferred; reciprocity within 90 days acceptable.
- Master's degree preferred; Class I Water or Wastewater Certification preferred.
Responsibilities
- Executive Leadership and Strategy: set department vision, plan, and performance measures; lead managers and staff; develop succession plans.
- Operations and Compliance: ensure drinking water and wastewater operations meet all applicable laws and permit conditions; manage assets and preventive maintenance.
- Financial Management and Capital Planning: prepare budgets; develop rates; manage capital program financing; oversee Water Billing Office; implement bill pay assistance.
- Environmental Protection and Resilience: lead emergency response; promote energy efficiency and renewable energy integration; manage drought response and conservation.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
First review of applications begins on November 23, 2026
The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, GA seeks candidates for the position of Director of Public Utilities. The Director is the chief executive of Athens-Clarke County’s water and wastewater utility. The Director is accountable for safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater service, for regulatory compliance, and, for the financial health of a self-supporting enterprise fund. The Director leads a workforce of more than 200 employees, sets the department’s strategic direction, and advises the Manager, Mayor, and Commission on rates, capital investment, growth capacity, and water resource policy. The position represents the Unified Government with regional partners, regulators, and the community.
We hope you will take time to explore this opportunity to join a highly professional local government organization and a progressive, vibrant community in the heart of sunny Northeast Georgia just 65 miles from Atlanta. Home of the University of Georgia, Athens is nationally recognized for its high quality of life, state-of-the-art educational opportunities, endless outdoor recreation, and cultural amenities such as arts, entertainment, music, and food.
If this opportunity is for you, we invite you, or to pass on this information to others who might find this position of interest.
Reports to: Executive Director of Engineering and Infrastructure/Deputy Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Executive
CLASSIFICATION: Regular Non-Merit; Serves at the discretion of the Manager.
PAY GRADE: 135; $131,328 - $156,443 depending on qualifications
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No
The Public Utilities Director is the chief executive of Athens-Clarke County’s water and wastewater utility. The Director is accountable for safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater service, for regulatory compliance, and, for the financial health of a self-supporting enterprise fund. The Director leads a workforce of more than 200 employees, sets the department’s strategic direction, and advises the Manager, Mayor, and Commission on rates, capital investment, growth capacity, and water resource policy. The position represents the Unified Government with regional partners, regulators, and the community.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends.
May be required to work on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle, must abide by ACCGov's safe driving policy.
Emergency Position: This position responds to work during emergency events that may include inclement weather, utility failure, fire, forced evacuation, a state of emergency as declared by state or local authorities, or other emergency event as defined by the ACCGov Manager that closes ACCGov workstations.
Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related discipline, with seven years of experience involving water/wastewater design, operations and maintenance of a similar sized system, to include two years of experience involving senior level management responsibilities required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Five years of supervisory experience is required.
Valid driver's license required.
Certification as a Georgia registered Professional Engineer (PE) or ability to obtain reciprocity within 90 days of employment preferred.
Master's Degree preferred.
Class I Water Treatment or Wastewater Treatment Certification preferred.
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Sets the department’s vision, strategic plan, and performance measures in line with community and the Mayor and Commission’s priorities; reports progress to the Manager, to the Mayor and Commission, and to the public.
- Leads, develops, and holds accountable division managers and staff; addresses personnel matters in coordination with Human Resources; and maintains a culture of safety, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and customer service.
- Builds and maintains succession plans, training, and operator certification pathways to recruit and retain a skilled operations and maintenance workforce and leadership team.
- Ensures water treatment, distribution, wastewater collection, and water reclamation operations comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, Georgia Environmental Protection Division rules, and NPDES and other permit conditions.
- Plans, directs and coordinates departmental activities, goals and objectives, including conferring with subordinates, making recommendations concerning personnel matters, and reviewing weekly and monthly reports and records.
- Anticipates and prepares the utility for evolving requirements, including lead service line, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants, and nutrient discharge standards.
- Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handles all employee concerns, directs work assignments, counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, and completes employee performance appraisals.
- Directs asset management, condition assessment, and preventive maintenance programs using hydraulic modeling, GIS, SCADA, maintenance management systems, and metering technology to reduce I&I, main breaks, sewer overflows, and service interruptions.
- Prepares and manages the department’s operating and capital budgets; monitors expenditures under current budget.
- Develops water and sewer rate structures and multi-year rate forecasts that fund the operating and capital needs of the enterprise, meet reserve and debt coverage requirements, and account for customer affordability.
- Develops financing strategies for the capital program, including revenue bonds, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority loans, and state and federal grants; supports rating agency reviews and continuing disclosure.
- Oversees the operations of the Water Billing Office to ensure that excellent customer service is used in the timely and accurate implementation of monthly bills.
- Implements bill pay assistance programs to help low-income residents.
- Uses a Service Delivery Plan to master plan for water supply, treatment, distribution, collection, and reclamation capacity based on growth projections and asset condition, which are then used to regularly develop and maintain the short- and long-term capital improvement plan.
- Oversees planning, design, procurement, and construction of capital projects, including the management of consultants and contractors; ensures projects meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
- Directs the department’s response to main breaks, treatment disruptions, spills, severe weather, and other emergencies.
- Supports ACCGov’s clean energy goals by integrating energy conservation and renewable energy generation into the department’s operations.
- Develops and manages a water supply portfolio from a variety of sources, including the adaptive reuse of a publicly owned rock quarry; leads conservation and drought response planning.
- Maintains the utility’s risk and resilience assessment and emergency response plan; partners with Information Technology on cybersecurity for operational technology and SCADA systems.
- Implements, expands, and promotes the use of a recycled water system (purple pipe) to offset water needs from larger users in target areas.
- Oversees a Water Conservation Office that incentivizes efficient use through education, rate structures, and targeted intervention.
- Designs and constructs new infrastructure projects in a manner that balances legal compliance, environmental impact, reliability, and cost efficiency.
- Serves in the Emergency Operations Center during emergency events to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of water and sewer services.
- Represents the Unified Government on the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority and regional water planning bodies; manages raw water supply and interjurisdictional service agreements.
- Serves as primary liaison to Georgia EPD, U.S. EPA, GEFA, and other regulatory and funding agencies.
- Coordinates with Planning, Transportation and Public Works, Economic Development, and other related departments in long-range planning and developmental impacts on system capacity, extensions, and development standards.
- Prepares and presents recommendations, reports, ordinances, and resolutions to the Manager, Mayor, and Commission.
- Works with the department’s Water Conservation Office to serve as the department’s spokesperson to customers, media, and community groups on service, rates, projects, and incidents.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of ACCGov and the operations and functions of the Public Utilities Department.
Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, and reclamation operations and the federal and state regulations that govern them.
Knowledge of management, human resource management/personnel and financial practices, policies and procedures as are necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.
Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job.
Knowledge of and proficiency with computers.
Knowledge of local, state and federal codes, acts and policies concerning the operations of the water distribution and sewer collection system, water treatment and water reclamation facilities, water and wastewater reclamation system maintenance activities, water/sewer line construction and maintenance procedures, civil engineering, and land surveying principles and practices.
Knowledge of public administration, municipal accounting, and budget procedures, grant and bond requirements and availability, capital financing techniques, management and supervision.
Knowledge of changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc., as they pertain to departmental and personnel operations and activities.
Skill in public relations and in oral and written communications.
Skill in leading managers and building high-performing, accountable teams.
Skill in strategic and financial planning, and in analyzing technical, financial, and operational data.
Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans and activities and to monitor performance of subordinates against measured established goals.
Ability to develop and implement long-term goals for the department to promote effectiveness and efficiency.
Ability to negotiate agreements and build effective relationships with partner jurisdictions, regulators, contractors, and community stakeholders.
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of ACCGov as they relate to the Public Utilities Department.
Ability to make sound, independent decisions under pressure, including during emergencies.
Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.
Ability to employ good organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.
Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.
Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Ability to handle required mathematical calculations using statistical methods.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret personnel and financial reports and related materials.
Ability to operate various office equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, and telephone.
Ability to utilize various word processing, spreadsheet, and/or other software programs relevant to the position.
Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, and telephone. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for sedentary work.
Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants or supervisors.
Requires ability to read a variety of construction plans, informational documentation, directions, instructions, methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare letters, reports, forms, spreadsheets, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to individuals and/or groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgment in the absence of management.
Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical or professional languages including civil engineering, legal, financial and human resources terminology.
Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; interpret graphs; compute discount, interest, profit/loss, ratio/proportion, etc.; perform calculations involving variables/formulas/square roots/polynomials; and perform statistical calculations which include frequency distributions, reliability and validity of tests, correlation techniques, factor analysis, and econometrics.
Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, and telephone.
Requires the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using office equipment. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as automated office equipment, office supplies, computer supplies, and drafting equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.
Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.
ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or leah.jagatic@accgov.com.
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