Utilities Director

City-of-Montros; Montrose (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Montrose seeks an experienced Utilities Director to lead Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment operations. You will oversee installation, maintenance, and expansion of infrastructure, manage the wastewater treatment plant, and develop budgets and master plans for future community needs.

You will supervise division leaders, ensure regulatory compliance, and engage with residents, developers, and consultants.

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight (8) years related experience and five (5) years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage utility operations and oversee the installation and repair of water and sewer infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant operations and oversee the industrial pretreatment program, the treatment, processing, and disposal of wastewater, biosolids, and related waste material.
• Ensure City of Montrose compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and requirements for the proper operation of systems related to water distribution, sewer collection and wastewater treatment.
• Identify and address problems associated with maintaining existing and installing new utility infrastructure by consulting plan specifications and conferring with various consultants, engineers and vendors.
• Develop and implement Citywide, Public Works, and division policies, procedures, goals, objectives, SOPs, field guides, service levels, and annual work plans for the three utility divisions.
• Analyze trends of the area being served to forecast future facility needs and develop maintenance and capital improvement master plans.

Skills

Budget management

People management

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Public works coordination

Education

Engineering degree or related field

Job description

Basic Purpose of the Job:

Under general direction, manages and coordinates activities of the City's three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment) including the installation, maintenance, repair, expansion, and or relocation of water distribution, sewage collection, and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Manages and coordinates activities of the wastewater treatment plant to treat, process, and dispose of wastewater, bio solids, and related waste material. Provides oversight and guidance to utility team leaders to effectively organize, plan and direct daily and long term work crew activities in each division. With the assistance of the utility team leaders, prepares budget and master plans for future needs of the community. Ensures compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, and with all City safety standards. Responds to citizen inquiries related to any of the three utility divisions in an appropriate, professional and timely manner. Requires a strong understanding of hydraulic principles, budget management, and personnel management.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

The Utilities Director is expected to work collaboratively with all divisions within the City organization and Public Works Department, ensuring the effective and efficient use of vehicles, equipment, facilities, and personnel. This position also requires flexibility and a team-oriented approach - Directors are expected to be available and willing to assist with projects, tasks, or events outside their primary areas of responsibility as needed to support overall departmental goals.

Essential Functions:

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Manage utility operations and oversee the installation and repair of water and sewer infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant operations and oversee the industrial pretreatment program, the treatment, processing, and disposal of wastewater, biosolids, and related waste material.
• Ensure City of Montrose compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and requirements for the proper operation of systems related to water distribution, sewer collection and wastewater treatment.
• Identify and address problems associated with maintaining existing and installing new utility infrastructure by consulting plan specifications and conferring with various consultants, engineers and vendors.
• Develop and implement Citywide, Public Works, and division policies, procedures, goals, objectives, SOPs, field guides, service levels, and annual work plans for the three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and WasteWater Treatment).
• Analyze trends of the area being served, such as population and industrial growth, usage demands or other impacts to the system to determine adequacy of current facilities and to forecast future facility needs. Develop utility maintenance and capital improvement master plans to serve the expanding community needs.
• Evaluates materials, tools, equipment, technology, work methods, and operational processes. Recommends and implements improvements that enhance safety, efficiency, service delivery, standardization, and long-term cost effectiveness.
• Responds to and engages with residents, contractors, developers, and internal customers regarding service requests, Utilities concerns, permits, inquiries, and complaints in a professional and positive manner. Coordinates public notifications and supports community engagement related to maintenance activities, construction impacts, and division programs.
• Ensure that records, reports, etc. for regulatory agencies regarding plans and operations are properly prepared, submitted, and maintained in accordance with standards to ensure City compliance at all times.
• Provides leadership in project management, budget administration, personnel supervision, team development, morale, safety, accountability, and succession planning. Supports Team Leaders and staff by setting clear expectations, developing achievable goals, providing feedback, and building a positive and capable division culture.
• Manages the division’s annual budget, including developing, monitoring, projecting the annual budget as well as forecasting future operational and capital needs.

Department Head Additional Essential Functions:

Business Acumen Understand business implications of decisions, demonstrate knowledge of market and aligns work with strategic goals.

Change Management Communicate change effectively, prepare and support those affected by change, monitor transition and evaluates results.

Communications Express ideas and thoughts orally and in writing. Exhibit good listening & comprehension; select & use appropriate communication methods.

Managing Customer Focus Establish, promote, and monitor customer service standards to assure the best outcomes.

Fiscal Responsibility Prepare annual budget and assure that assigned areas of responsibility are performed effectively & efficiently within approved budget; perform cost control activities & cost saving measures; monitor applicable revenues and/or expenditures; manage resources such as personnel, materials, facilities and time effectively.

Managing People Provide direction and gain compliance, include workers in planning, and take responsibility for their activities; provide regular and specific performance feedback.

Supervision:

Feedback: Establish goals and expectations for workers. Write and conduct employee evaluations.

Staffing: Ensure position descriptions are accurate and assist in interviewing and selecting candidates appropriate to the work.

Scheduling: Ensure schedules are set to get the work done in accordance with HR guidelines.

Training: Assure implementation of job specific training to ensure employee success.

Coaching: Set and discuss expectations for employee success. Conduct a formal mid-cycle progress review in addition to regular meetings with each subordinate.

Problem Resolution: Handles or gets assistance with employee issues in a timely manner to prevent escalation of problems and disruption to the department.

Employee Management: In accordance with HR polices, use established procedures to manage employee behavior. Actions are consistent and provide opportunity for the employee to improve.

Core Beliefs:

Core beliefs are deeply held values and assumptions that guide individuals in the workplace. Core beliefs define how we do things. By establishing core beliefs, the City of Montrose is creating a common culture that shapes employee behavior in a positive and predictable manner. When these beliefs are shared, they create cohesiveness and mutual commitment in the organization and flexibility to changes as they occur.

Our core beliefs are centered on exceptional service and are based around treating our customers and fellow team members with dignity and respect. We value teamwork and recognize that we must continually strive to improve the customer experience. Every team member, regardless of job title, plays a part in creating a service environment and each are empowered to respond to the needs of our customers and teammates. We have six Core Beliefs: Respect, Ethics, Leadership, Accountability, Transparency, Excellence in Service (RELATE).

Job Requirements:

• Two (2) or four (4) year degree in engineering, Construction Management or related field from an accredited college.
• Minimum of Eight (8) years related experience and Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• The City will consider an appropriate combination of education, training and experience that results in comparable knowledge and skills.
• Extensive knowledge of equipment used in the operations of the division.
• Knowledge and skill in wastewater treatment plant operation and project management.
• This position is subject to non-standard working hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Licensures & Certificates (must be active and current.)

• OCPO Class IV Water Distribution certification
• OCPO Class IV Sanitary Sewer Collection certification
• OCPO Class A Wastewater Treatment operators certification
• Current Colorado driver’s license with acceptable record.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

Must possess ability to attend meetings at various sites within and away from the City with some evening and/or weekend hours required; strength to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and operate a computer screen and prepare written reports and documents; and hearing and speech to communicate with employees and the public; frequent speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with employees and citizens.Works primarily in clean, comfortable office environment, visits work sites with varying terrain and hazardous conditions and in all types of weather; subject to many interruptions and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. Requires driving and walking during inclement weather. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration, or to work high above ground level. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

Late applications will not be accepted. All candidates are subject to a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

The City of Montrose is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired.