Utilities Director                                                  FLSA Status:  Exempt

General Definition of Work

Performs complex professional work planning, directing, coordinating and supervising public utilities planning, construction, operations, maintenance and staff, overseeing engineering design and inspections programs, supervising the preparation and maintenance of files and records, preparing reports, and related work as apparent or assigned.  Work involves setting policies and goals under the direction of the City Manager.  Departmental supervision is exercised over all personnel within the department.

 

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required and are not necessarily actual functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

Essential Functions

Performs duties in accordance with the City's keys to excellent customer service; acts as team or group leader in the implementation of adopted City outcomes and goals.

Develops, organizes, implements, manages and reviews goals and objectives for the utility including those City Council goals assigned to the utility group by City Management.

Coordinates activities with various City Departments, citizens, other governmental units, outside agencies and organizations.

Directs, oversees and participates in the development and scheduling of the Department’s work plan; assigns and coordinates work activities, projects and programs; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluate completed work, methods and procedures.

Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates complaints and takes corrective action when necessary.

Initiates and/or monitors needed personnel transactions with Division Managers including recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, evaluation, promotion, disciplining and termination of employees in conjunction with Human Resources Office and in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the City.

Plans, recommends, coordinates, reviews and approves construction for treatment plant facilities, water/sewer distribution system construction and other capital improvement projects.

Represents the department at City Council meetings, civic events and clients communities.

Ensures that 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.

Supervises and participates in the development, adoption and administration of the utility’s annual budget; monitors expenditures authorized in the annual budget for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies, reviews requests for modifications to the approved budget in conjunction with the Finance Director and Division Managers.

Approves critical decisions in order to resolve emergency conditions resulting from malfunction or water/wastewater systems.

Serves as a member of the City’s Management Team; provides staff assistance, information and recommendations to the City Management related to all facets of the water/sewer utility; prepares and present staff reports and other correspondence, as needed.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering; comprehensive knowledge of public utility operation, planning and design; thorough knowledge of business management practices as applied to the operation of the utility; ability to review and analyze plans and specifications for the construction and operation of treatment facilities and collection and distribution systems; ability to communicate ideas effectively in both oral and written formats; ability to formulate comprehensive operational policies and procedures; ability to supervise the work of a large staff; ability to maintain effective working relationships with Board members, other public officials, associates, contractors and the general public.

 

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree with coursework in civil engineering, environmental sciences, public or business administration, or related field and extensive experience in public utilities engineering of an increasingly responsible nature, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting and speaking or hearing and occasionally requires standing and walking; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data; work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

 

Special Requirements

Possession of registration as a Professional Engineer.

Valid driver's license in the State of North Carolina.