Utility Operations & Maintenance Division Director (Exec 3)

Seattle Public Utilities; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Public Utilities seeks a Division Director for Utility Operations & Maintenance to lead 95 staff across water, drainage, and SCADA operations. You will drive reliability, regulatory compliance, and system planning while coordinating emergency response and workforce development programs.

The role emphasizes collaborative leadership, strong communication, and commitment to race and social justice within a 24/7 operations environment.

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of professional-level experience in a medium to large utility.
• Two (2) years supervisory experience required.
• Bachelor's degree as listed; if no degree, two more years of qualifying experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the division's operations and maintenance for water, drainage, and SCADA systems.
• Oversee 95 staff across multiple disciplines and union roles.
• Drive reliability, regulatory compliance, and system planning with data-driven guidance.
• Lead emergency response and 24/7 operations as needed.
• Support apprenticeship programs and workforce development.
• Collaborate with City leadership to advance equity and justice goals.

Skills

Empowerment culture

Unionized environment experience

KPIs & metrics

Continuous improvement

Race & Social Justice

Communication

Change management

Collaborative leadership

Customer service orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration/Civil Engineering/Environmental Studies or related field

Job description

Position 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.

Interview Process

Candidates who advance to the interview phase will be required to deliver a 10-minute presentation as part of their interview. The presentation topic will be provided to candidates in advance, allowing adequate time to prepare.

Workplace Environment

This position is fully in person, 5-days a week, as well as requirements to respond to 24/7 emergencies as needed. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Who may apply:

The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The full salary range for this position is: $164,868.48 - $272,087.28 Annually

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Dat Nguyen at [e-mail].

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits