Water & Sewer Director

American Water Works Association; Fayetteville (GA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Fayetteville seeks an experienced leader to serve as the inaugural Director of Water and Wastewater, a newly created role providing strategic direction and operational excellence for the city’s water and wastewater systems.

The Director will oversee treatment plants, distribution, and collection systems, while ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and other regulations. Collaboration with City leadership and regional groups will be key.

Qualifications

• Extensive technical expertise in water and wastewater systems (treatment, distribution, collection).
• Experience supervising staff and managing performance.
• Ability to evaluate delivery models and lead organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all water and wastewater operations, ensuring safety and compliance.
• Lead capital projects, budgets, and regulatory reporting.
• Engage with residents, officials, regulators, and professional groups.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Financial analysis

Capital program management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Education

Class 1 Wastewater Plant Operator License or Class 2 Water Plant Operator License

Job description

The City of Fayetteville is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to serve as its inaugural Director of Water and Wastewater, a newly created position designed to provide strategic leadership, operational excellence, and long-term vision for the City’s critical water and wastewater systems. This executive-level role will oversee all aspects of water treatment, distribution, wastewater collection, and treatment operations, ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and compliant utility services to the community.

Reporting to executive leadership, the Director will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Fayetteville’s utility infrastructure by developing and implementing operational strategies, guiding capital improvement programs, and ensuring regulatory compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements. This position offers a unique opportunity to build, lead, and enhance a comprehensive water and wastewater program within a growing, progressive community.

The Director of Water and Wastewater provides leadership, direction, and oversight of all utility operations, balancing strategic initiatives with day-to-day operational demands. The position is responsible for supervising staff, managing budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing capital improvement projects that support the City’s growth and sustainability.

This role leads the planning, coordination, and evaluation of water and wastewater operations, including treatment plants, distribution systems, and collection systems. The Director ensures that all systems operate efficiently and safely, and comply with environmental regulations, including the Safe Drinking Water Act and other governing standards. The position also oversees the preparation of required regulatory reports, permit applications, and compliance documentation, ensuring the City maintains a strong regulatory posture.

The Director serves as a key representative of the City, engaging with residents, elected officials, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations. This includes responding to citizen concerns, presenting information to City Council, and participating in regional and industry groups such as the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District and the Georgia Association of Water Professionals

The successful candidate will possess:

• Extensive technical expertise in water and wastewater systems, including treatment plant operations, distribution systems, and collection systems, with a deep understanding of maintenance and operational best practices
• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing utility operations, including supervising staff, managing performance, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
• Strong operational knowledge of both publicly managed and contracted service delivery models, with the ability to evaluate and implement the most effective approach for the City
• Experience managing organizational change, with the ability to lead restructuring efforts, build systems, and establish clear processes and expectations in a newly created leadership role
• Proven financial and analytical skills, including experience conducting or overseeing rate studies, budget development, and aligning financial strategies with infrastructure needs
• Capital project management experience, including planning, coordinating, and delivering infrastructure projects on time and within budget
• Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory compliance, including state and federal requirements governing water and wastewater systems
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage elected officials, City leadership, staff, contractors, and the public
• A collaborative leadership style, capable of working closely with City Administration to align departmental operations with broader organizational goals
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset, with the ability to make sound decisions, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively under pressure
• Commitment to safety and workforce development, ensuring staff are properly trained, certified, and operating in a safe and compliant environment
• Required certifications, including a Class 1 Wastewater Plant Operator License and/or a Class 2 Water Plant Operator License, or the ability to obtain within one year of hire

Hiring Range: $115,000 - $125,000

Application Process

The first round of resume reviews will take place on May 22, 2026.