Utility Operations & Maintenance Division Director

American Water Works Association; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a collaborative leader for its Utility Operations & Maintenance Division Director position. This role oversees a division of 95 professionals and technicians who operate and maintain SPU’s drinking water pipes, pump stations, storage reservoirs and elevated tanks, plus drainage and wastewater facilities and SCADA systems.

The Division reports to the Chief Operating Officer, Water Line of Business, and focuses on reliable service, regulatory compliance,

Qualifications

• Eight years of professional-level experience in a medium to large utility.
• Two years of supervisory experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in business/public administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies or related field; if no degree, two additional years of qualifying experience.
• Washington State Distribution Manager IV or related certifications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Oversee efficient operations and maintenance of SPU drinking water pipes, pump stations, reservoirs, tanks; drainage and wastewater systems.
• Ensure reliable SCADA monitoring and control across water and wastewater systems.
• Monitor real-time system performance and resolve issues promptly.
• Provide data analysis, reporting, and technical guidance for operations and planning.
• Manage emergency responses to protect public health and safety.
• Oversee apprenticeship programs within the division.
• Lead workforce development and promote equity, inclusion, and social justice initiatives.

Skills

Empowerment culture

Leadership in O&M

KPIs/metrics

Continuous improvement

Race & Social Justice

Oral & written communication

Change management

Collaborative leadership

Stakeholder consensus

Customer service orientation

Education

Bachelor's in business/public administration

Civil Engineering

Environmental Studies

Job description

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a collaborative leader for its Utility Operations & Maintenance Division Director position. This position is responsible for a division of 95 professional and technical staff. The division operates and maintains much of SPU's infrastructure, including but not limited to drinking water pipes, pump stations, storage reservoirs and elevated tanks; drainage and wastewater pump stations and combined sewer overflow facilities; and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for drinking water and drainage and wastewater. The work is 24/7, including both around-the-clock system operations as well as emergency maintenance response. The division also includes the apprentice program, a two-year program that results in apprentices becoming Water Pipe Workers and Drainage and Wastewater Collection System Workers as part of SPU's workforce development program.

The Division is a multi-disciplinary team consisting of mechanics, electricians, machinists, pump station workers, storage maintenance crews, system operators, SCADA technicians, SCADA analysts, SCADA engineers, planner-schedulers, workforce development advisors, and administrators. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer, Water Line of Business and Utility O&M Branch.

About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:

• SPU Website
• SPU Workplace Expectations
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.

Why join our team?

We know work isn't only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• The efficient and forward-looking operations and maintenance of SPU's drinking water pipes, pump stations, storage reservoirs and elevated tanks; drainage and wastewater pump stations; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for drinking water and drainage and wastewater.
• Optimizing the delivery of drinking water from watersheds to 1.5 million people, ensuring adequate water quantity and pressure.
• Monitoring the drainage and wastewater system and identifying and resolving real-time issues that require attention.
• Providing reliable and efficient SCADA monitoring and control of the drinking water and drainage and wastewater systems.
• Producing accurate and timely analysis, data, reporting and technical guidance regarding the drinking water and drainage and wastewater systems to support efficient operations, regulatory compliance and system planning.
• Managing emergency responses to mitigate and quickly resolve public health and public safety protection issues and property impacts.
• Supporting Solid Waste with maintenance of the North and South Transfer Stations.
• Overseeing the apprenticeship program for Water Pipe Workers and Drainage and Wastewater Collection System Workers.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to create and foster a culture of empowerment and engagement through shared leadership (building a division leadership team where direct reports help co-lead the division).
• Experience managing a large operations and maintenance function with a diverse workforce in a unionized environment.
• Demonstrated success utilizing key performance indicators/metrics to assess performance and drive organizational improvements.
• Experience leading continuous performance improvement initiatives.
• Commitment to the City’s Race and Social Justice initiative as well as our values of access, opportunity, and sustainability.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong leadership skills in change management, team development, and service delivery excellence.
• Known for collaborative leadership, effective communication, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Strong customer service orientation and advanced critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Qualifications:

Experience: Eight (8) years increasingly responsible professional-level experience in a medium to large sized utility. Two (2) years supervisory experience is required.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies or a related field. If no degree, two (2) additional years of qualifying experience is required.

Certification/License:

Washington State Distribution Manager IV certificate is desirable. A Washington State Wastewater Operator Certification is also desirable. Individuals eligible for certification through reciprocity will be considered.

Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, professional and/or lived experience(s) will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.