Salary: $97,748.14 - $139,779.83 Annually
Application Deadline: Oct 9, 2024
IDEAL CANDIDATES
The ideal candidate should be an established leader with thorough knowledge of modern management principles, practices, and techniques of operations and maintenance, and administration of the departmental operating and capital budgets. The city desires an energetic leader with proven ability and passion to engage staff and help shape the culture of the department while integrating policies and best practices.
The ideal candidate should be an exceptional leader with at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in utility system leadership. This person should be a highly motivated, results-oriented individual to maintain and continuously improve the department’s high financial, customer service, and operational performance. The successful candidate will have a working knowledge in all areas of department services and operations; experience with funding and leading the implementation of a substantial capital improvement plan; and demonstrated success in collaborating and communicating with employees to grow the department’s current high-performing organizational culture. The successful candidate should also have a good understanding and knowledge of state and federal utility and environmental regulations and laws.
Qualified candidates will clearly exemplify the City’s organizational values of responsiveness, integrity, respect, collaboration, honesty, and diversity. To position the department to pursue opportunities and meet challenges, the City is looking for advanced skills in project management, planning, and formulating strategies and policies. Effective and supportive customer service remains a priority and the director is expected to lead the department in engaging and communicating with residents and businesses, merger towns, and stakeholders. The successful candidate should also have a proven record of embracing innovation and encouraging cross-functional/department partnerships to achieve results as well as supporting and developing equitable policies and services.
The new Director should have experience working collaboratively as a part of the City Management Team to enhance organization results. Working internally and externally to lead our utilities department and communication is a priority, and the ideal candidate should be approachable, open-minded, and willing to maintain a positive atmosphere for employees within the department and with our partners. Capacity and interest in being an effective mentor and leader for staff to inspire excellence are also desired.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
- Directs, oversees, and participates in the development and scheduling of the Department’s work plan and strategic plan; assigns and coordinates work activities, projects, and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates completed work, methods, and procedures.
- Assists and supports client connections, businesses, and customers to ensure quality services and projects.
- Advises the City Manager and elected officials on a wide variety of matters such as construction, improvement, capacity management, environmental compliance, and intergovernmental relations (including 6 client communities).
- Ensures the City is in compliance with all current raw water, potable water, and wastewater discharge requirements established by regional, State, and Federal regulatory agencies; interprets policies and procedures established by such groups.
- Openly communicates and collaborates with department employees to build a supportive, innovative, and team culture in Salisbury – Rowan Utilities.
- Participates/represents Salisbury – Rowan Utilities at community events and employee outings.
- Represents Salisbury-Rowan Utilities at meetings and functions within the community; participates and serves on various public committees pertaining to safety and/or water/wastewater rules and regulations and protecting water resources based on sound science and good public policy.
- Reviews and disseminates information regarding rules and/or compliance for water and wastewater treatment and the water distribution and wastewater collections systems.
- Supervises and participates in the development, adoption, and administration of the utility’s annual operating and capital budgets; monitors expenditures for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies and reviews requests for modifications to the approved budget in conjunction with the Finance Director and Division Managers.
- Initiates and/or monitors needed personnel transactions with the Division Managers including recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, evaluation, promotion, training, discipline, and termination of employees in accordance with City policies and procedures; ensures the implementation of safety programs; provides coaching for division heads on efficient and effective staff management to create high-performance work units.
- Plans, recommends, coordinates, reviews, and approves engineering reports and construction plans and specifications for treatment plant facilities, water distribution, and wastewater collection systems, and other capital facilities construction, upgrade, and maintenance.
- Evaluates and approves critical decisions in order to resolve emergency conditions resulting from malfunction or water/wastewater systems; disseminates information to City Administration and the appropriate news media and the public.
- Establishes, maintains, and analyzes a variety of reports as required and as needed for effective management decision-making; directs the acquisition and usage of electronic systems to enhance operations and record keeping.
- Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates complaints and takes corrective action when necessary.
- Participates in marketing the City’s utilities and in rate analysis and recommendations.
- Participates as part of the City’s leadership team in establishing and communicating organizational vision and values and working across departmental lines for the good of the City.
- Receives information about the oversight of the quality control and compliance with applicable standards of the City’s lease to Hotwire Communications (City’s leased fiber infrastructure).
- Leads strategically to position Salisbury – Rowan Utilities to effectively manage growth.
- Supports and plans training for employees to offer advancement opportunities and prioritize safety in the workplace.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Thorough knowledge of business management practices as applied to the operation of a utility.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of utilities administration.
- Thorough knowledge of the principles of water distribution, wastewater collection, water and wastewater treatment, and metering.
- Thorough knowledge of the equipment and materials used in the construction, maintenance, and repair of water and sewer lines, water and wastewater treatment plants, and appurtenances.
- Thorough knowledge of City policies and of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to the management of utilities services.
- Thorough knowledge of governmental budgeting, personnel, and purchasing practices and the City’s related policies and procedures.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering and the City’s engineering standards for the water and sewer utility.
- Considerable knowledge of the hazards of the work, safety precautions, and OSHA regulations.
- Considerable knowledge of and skill in modern and effective supervisory practices including leadership, motivation, communications, delegation, discipline, and performance review.
- Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to the work of the department.
- Advanced ability in capital project planning, funding, and construction.
- Ability to prepare, present, and interpret complex, technical, and detailed records and reports.
- Ability to analyze complex information and make effective decisions.
- Ability to present ideas effectively orally, in written form, and in presentations.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, other public officials, industry officials, regulatory officials, consultants, contractors, subordinates, other employees, and the general public.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from college with a degree in engineering, environmental science, public or business administration, or related field and extensive experience in public utilities engineering of an increasingly responsible nature; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
- Preferred registration as a Professional Engineer.
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