Utility Operations and Compliance Manager

City of Cedar Park; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cedar Park seeks a senior Utilities Engineer to supervise water and wastewater divisions, manage budgets and CIP projects, and coordinate regulatory reporting. You will lead operations across treatment, distribution, and collection, while ensuring compliance with TCEQ/EPA requirements.

Responsibilities include evaluating treatment processes, improving system reliability, and serving as liaison with regulatory agencies. Requires PE license in Texas and strong leadership abilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, industrial, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Four (4) or more years of experience working for a water and wastewater utility or consulting engineer, including one (1) year as a supervisor.
• OR any approved equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Supervises assigned Utility Divisions and staff, including assigning work, establishing performance objectives, conducting evaluations, and making recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and termination.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of Utility budgets and capital improvement programs to support effective allocation of resources and reliable utility services.
• Coordinates daily operations among water treatment, water reclamation, water distribution, and wastewater collection functions to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable utility services.
• Provides advanced engineering and operational support for water and wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, storage, pumping, and related utility facilities.
• Coordinates, prepares, reviews, and ensures timely submission of required regulatory reports, certifications, notices, and other compliance documentation.
• Serves as the Utility Department’s principal regulatory liaison with TCEQ, EPA, and other federal, state, regional, and local regulatory agencies.
• Develops, implements, and maintains regulatory compliance policies, procedures, plans, standard operating procedures, records, and internal controls to support ongoing compliance and operational continuity.
• Coordinates responses to water-quality, regulatory, and compliance inquiries and supports required public notices and consumer information.
• Evaluates and recommends treatment processes, operational improvements, and facility modifications to improve water and wastewater system efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluates utility safety systems and processes and recommends improvements to reduce risks associated with water and wastewater operations.
• Oversees the development, implementation, testing, commissioning, and documentation of process control logic and SCADA applications, including operator training and system configuration.
• Performs hydraulic analyses, field inspections, and technical reviews of utility systems, projects, plans, specifications, and designs to identify operational risks and ensure compatibility with existing systems and City requirements.
• Manages utility capital improvement projects and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders on project planning, design, construction, development services, and Public Works matters.
• Evaluates utility system needs and recommends capital improvements and other projects that support efficient, reliable, and sustainable utility operations.

Skills

Technical standards

Water/wastewater design

CIP administration

Policy development

Data analysis

Communication

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Engineering degree (Civil/Environmental/Industrial/Electrical/Mechanical)

Professional Engineer license (Texas)

Job description

As the third largest city in the Austin metropolitan area, Cedar Park is an integral part of the rapid growth and burgeoning prosperity of Central Texas and Williamson County. Cedar Park is widely known for its excellent schools and a pro-business environment. We are consistently named by multiple outlets one of the top places in the U.S. to raise a family – due to our abundance of amenities, relaxed lifestyle, and our commitment to community and effective government. Just 17 miles from downtown Austin and on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, Cedar Park offers the best of both worlds: the energy of an innovative and booming metropolis, yet the best of small community life with parks, nature trails, and comfortable neighborhoods. It all adds up to a great place for families and businesses to call home.

• Supervises assigned Utility Divisions and staff, including assigning work, establishing performance objectives, conducting evaluations, and making recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and termination.
• Assists with the development and monitoring of Utility budgets and capital improvement programs to support effective allocation of resources and reliable utility services.
• Coordinates daily operations among water treatment, water reclamation, water distribution, and wastewater collection functions to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable utility services.
• Provides advanced engineering and operational support for water and wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, storage, pumping, and related utility facilities.
• Coordinates, prepares, reviews, and ensures timely submission of required regulatory reports, certifications, notices, and other compliance documentation.
• Serves as the Utility Department’s principal regulatory liaison with TCEQ, EPA, and other federal, state, regional, and local regulatory agencies.
• Develops, implements, and maintains regulatory compliance policies, procedures, plans, standard operating procedures, records, and internal controls to support ongoing compliance and operational continuity.
• Coordinates responses to water-quality, regulatory, and compliance inquiries and supports required public notices and consumer information.
• Evaluates and recommends treatment processes, operational improvements, and facility modifications to improve water and wastewater system efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluates utility safety systems and processes and recommends improvements to reduce risks associated with water and wastewater operations.
• Oversees the development, implementation, testing, commissioning, and documentation of process control logic and SCADA applications, including operator training and system configuration.
• Performs hydraulic analyses, field inspections, and technical reviews of utility systems, projects, plans, specifications, and designs to identify operational risks and ensure compatibility with existing systems and City requirements.
• Manages utility capital improvement projects and coordinates with internal and external stakeholders on project planning, design, construction, development services, and Public Works matters.
• Evaluates utility system needs and recommends capital improvements and other projects that support efficient, reliable, and sustainable utility operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, industrial, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or related field.
• Four (4) or more years of experience working for a water and wastewater utility or consulting engineer, including one (1) year as a supervisor.
• OR any approved equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certifications & Licensure

• Valid Texas Driver's License with acceptable driving record.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (or ability to obtain registration within one year of employment) required.

Knowledge of:

• City ordinances, construction standards, and applicable laws, regulations, resolutions, and public works requirements.
• Federal and state regulations governing water and wastewater systems, including requirements of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• Water and wastewater process engineering principles and the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems.
• Plant engineering, risk management principles, and utility infrastructure systems.
• Capital improvement program (CIP) project administration and practices.
• Policies, procedures, technical standards, and practices applicable to water and wastewater utility operations.

Skill in:

• Developing and maintaining technical standards, procedures, policies, and operational practices.
• Providing technical guidance related to the selection, design, and construction of water and wastewater systems.
• Evaluating water and wastewater plant processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Using standard word processing, spreadsheet, and other computer applications applicable to the position.
• Gathering, compiling, analyzing, and evaluating technical and operational data.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations ordinances, policies, and procedures.
• Analyze technical and operational information and make sound decisions based on available data.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local and state government officials, engineers, utility professionals, and the general public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain certifications required for the position.

Physical Demands

• Repetitive use of a keyboard and laptop at a workstation.
• Routine travel to and from City of Cedar Park work locations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, or sit (often for extended periods of time); bend, stoop, kneel and squat.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally.
• Ability to climb ladders or stairs to access elevated or below-grade infrastructure.
• Requires visual acuity to read printed materials, computer screens, and detailed documents.
• Hearing and speech to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and over radios in noisy environments.

Environmental Demands

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting with frequent visits to field sites, treatment plants, and construction zones.
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions, loud noise, odors, and potentially hazardous environments.
• This position requires work to be performed onsite, in-person.