Utilities Infrastructure Program Manager (Program Manager)

Anne Arundel County; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Anne Arundel County seeks a seasoned program manager to direct infrastructure programs, including water distribution, wastewater, and related construction and procurement activities. You will lead planning, implementation, and evaluation, coordinating with internal teams and external partners to meet county goals.

The role requires a four-year degree and 4+ years of leadership in water infrastructure programs; degree substitutions are allowed under policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, project management, environmental science, or related field.
• Four+ years of experience directing water distribution and wastewater programs; degree/substitution rules apply.

Responsibilities

• Assimilates, analyzes, and disseminates information pertaining to program issues.
• Formulates recommendations for higher-level management.
• Supervises personnel functions including evaluations, timesheet approval, and staff development.
• Develops and administers procurement processes, bids, contracts, and contractor oversight.
• Plans and writes grant applications and manages grant-funded projects.
• Maintains liaison with contractors and funding sources for project planning and fiscal management.
• Manages operating budgets and monitors expenditures across programs.
• Inspects Public Works Agreements and Department Programs/Projects for adherence to standards.

Skills

Program management

Contract management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Budget oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

This is professional work directing one or more Infrastructure operations, maintenance, repair, design and construction programs/projects.

NATURE AND VARIETY OF WORK

The occupational field of program management involves directing or carrying out assignments for one or more programs; or providing staff support to a higher-level manager directing a line program or function. Responsibility for contract administration is frequently included. The programs generally relate directly to a department's/agency's mission of providing services to County residents. Program management constitutes a higher-level professional function focused on directing mission-critical programs, setting it apart from administrative management-support functions (such as personnel or budgeting) designed only to facilitate the activities of direct-service employees. Most contacts are with employees in the same or other departments and agencies of the County government, State and Federal agencies, and non-profit and private sector organizations. The purposes of the contacts, which normally are cooperative with both parties working toward mutual goals, are for coordinating or resolving program operating problems. An employee in this class utilizes knowledge of a wide range of program management and subject matter-program principles, techniques, functions, regulations, and procedures in planning, organizing, directing and evaluating programs and/or contracts. Assignments may also require knowledge of and skill in using computer and automated office technology. The employee independently plans and carries out all aspects of program development, implementation, and evaluation advising higher-level management of program status and achievements. Completed work is reviewed in terms of a program's effectiveness in meeting stated goals and objectives. The employee adapts standard program practices and procedures to meet situations or cases not fully covered by existing guidelines and recommends modification of current guides. Work outputs affect the social, physical, or economic well-being of program participants or recipients of services. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in an office environment, and presents no significant hazards. Most employees in this class exercise supervisory responsibilities.

(May not include all duties performed)

• Assimilates, analyzes, and disseminates information and data pertaining to issues affecting the program, program recipients, and the general public.

• Formulates recommendations and prepares comments to present to higher-level management, employees in the same or other departments and agencies of the County government, State and Federal agencies, and non-profit and private sector organizations.

• Supervises overall personnel functions and operations, including annual evaluations, staff meetings, assignment of work, review of completed assignments, timesheet approval, leave request approval, and timely resolution of personnel issues; and supervises lower-level, union represented professionals and other employees by furnishing advice and instructions.

• Develops and administers procurement processes, including preparing requests for proposals (RFP's), advertising, review, and evaluation of bids and proposals, contract preparation and processing, and notification of contract award; provides contractor performance oversight.

• Plans and writes grant applications and manages grant-funded projects.

• Maintains liaison with contractors, funding sources (e.g., State or Federal), and other government agencies to plan and design utility projects; reviews plans or changes and amendments to plans, and develops and implements systems for fiscal management of funds.

• Initiates action to authorize, revise, continue, or discontinue assistance and services based on the results of reviews of circumstances of clients. Analyzes, adapts, and/or implements departmental or agency operating and administrative practices and procedures related to records management, forms used, reports generated, and various other phases of program organization and administration.

• Maintains contacts with individuals, families, or groups to develop up-to-date information to help them explore solutions to their utility problems, and/or initiate appropriate and timely action.

• Facilitates or expedites recommendations and innovative strategies to address and correct County problems and issues by providing background information and data to appropriate public and private groups.

• Initiates, coordinates, or contributes to such special events as workshops, professional conferences, seminars, and public hearings.

• Works with the Utility Administrator to compile and present the proposed operating budget; monitors the yearly budget.

• Performs and/or coordinates inspections of Public Works Agreements and Department Programs/Projects to ensure adherence to specifications and standards.

• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations that apply to provisions and limitations of the program to which assigned.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of program development, implementation, management, and evaluation; and the laws, rules, and regulations that apply to the program to which assigned.
• Knowledge of the general principles of procurement, contract management, and personnel administration, as required.
• Knowledge of Federal and/or State grant funding requirements and regulations.
• Skill in leading assigned employees, providing instruction, mentorship, and reviewing their work.
• Skill in managing work flow and provide assistance with personnel issues.
• Skill in explaining and defending ideas and positions, both orally and in writing, and in persuading individuals and groups to support assigned program activities or decisions.
• Ability to conduct analytical studies and make recommendations concerning effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of assigned program(s).
• Ability to deal tactfully, effectively and equitably with people.
• Ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office if necessary.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and four (4) or more years of experience directing or carrying out assignments for water distribution system and wastewater collection system programs.

Note: The graduation from an accredited four-year college or university may be substituted on a year-for-year basis with four (4) years of experience directing or carrying out assignments for water distribution system and wastewater collection system programs, for a combined total of up to eight (8) or more years of experience directing or carrying out assignments for water distribution system and wastewater collection system programs.

Note: An accredited university or College is the recognition from an accrediting agency that an institution maintains a certain level of educational standards. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of accrediting agencies it recognizes for schools within the United States. For a University or College outside the United States, the applicant must provide documentation of accreditation and educational equivalency, which can be accomplished through a credential evaluation service. Applicants with a foreign degree must provide this documentation upon the close of the announcement.

• 1) Two (2) years of Supervisory Experience
• 2) Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Environmental Science, or Related Field
• 3) Certification in Maryland's Waterworks and Waste System Operator or a related state certification