Public Utilities Maintenance & Operations Manager

City of Chesapeake VA

Chesapeake, VA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$100,964–$150,184 Per Year
SKILLS
Administrative Management, Asset Management, Budget Management, Budgeting, Capital Project, Civil Engineering, Communication Skills, Community Support, Construction Engineering, Construction Safety, Continuous Improvement, Customer Support/Service, Driver's License, Electricity, Emergency Management, Emergency Response, Establish Priorities, Explosives, Federal Laws and Regulations, Finance, Financial Management, Groundskeeping, Incident Response, Infectious Diseases, Investment Services, Leadership, Machine Tool, Maintain Compliance, Maintenance Services, Mechanical Engineering, Mentoring, Multitasking, OSHA, Operational Improvement, Operational Strategy, Operational Support, Operations Management, Operations Planning, Organizational Skills, Pumps, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality of Life, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Safety Compliance, Service Delivery, Staff Development, State Laws and Regulations, Stewardship, Strategic Planning, Systems Reliability, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Water Utility
LOCATION
Chesapeake, VA
POSTED
4 days ago

Position Details

Position Information

Working Title of Vacant Position Public Utilities Maintenance & Operations Manager Job Type Full Time Posting Type Public Number of Vacancies 1 Department PUBLIC UTILITIES Division PUB UTIL M&O ADMIN Requisition Number 2026302 Number of hours worked per week 40+ Work Schedule

Monday-Friday; 7am-4pm.

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Work Site Location Chesapeake, VA Position Driving Requirement R - Routine Pay Grade GE23 Pay Basis Semi-Monthly Advertised Salary

Starting Range: $100,964-$150,184

  • Actual starting salary depends on education and relevant experience.

Job Description

Public Utilities Maintenance and Operations Manager

Official Classification: Water/Wastewater Utility Administrator

This position is located at 906 Executive Blvd, Chesapeake, VA.

Lead Critical Infrastructure. Develop Great People. Serve a Growing Community.

Are you an experienced utility leader who thrives on solving complex operational challenges, developing high-performing teams, and making a lasting impact on the community?

The City of Chesapeake Department of Public Utilities is seeking an accomplished Public Utilities Maintenance and Operations Manager to lead the operations and maintenance of one of Virginia's largest municipal utility systems. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a progressive organization committed to operational excellence, employee development, innovation, and outstanding customer service.

As the Public Utilities Maintenance and Operations Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for more than 110 dedicated employees responsible for maintaining approximately 1,900 miles of water distribution and wastewater collection infrastructure, including over 280 sanitary sewer pump stations. As Chesapeake continues to grow, so does its utility system. This position offers the opportunity to lead today's operations while helping plan, expand, and strengthen the infrastructure that will serve our community for decades to come.

This highly visible leadership position combines strategic planning, operational excellence, emergency preparedness, fiscal stewardship, employee development, and collaboration with City leadership, regulatory agencies, developers, and the public.

What You'll Do

As the Public Utilities Maintenance and Operations Manager, you will lead the daily operation and long-term performance of the City's water distribution and wastewater collection systems. Working through a team of experienced section superintendents, you will oversee maintenance operations, establish strategic priorities, administer an annual operating budget of approximately $27.5 million, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

You will foster a culture built on safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement by developing employees, mentoring future leaders, and promoting exceptional customer service. As a key member of the Department's leadership team, you will coordinate emergency response activities, collaborate with engineering, construction, finance, customer service, and other City departments, and represent the Department before City leadership, regulatory agencies, contractors, developers, community organizations, and customers. You will also help identify and implement operational improvements that enhance system reliability, asset performance, and service delivery.

Why Join Our Team?

This position offers an opportunity to lead one of Virginia's largest municipal utility maintenance and operations programs while making a meaningful impact every day. As a member of the Department's leadership team, you will:

  • Lead a talented workforce responsible for maintaining critical infrastructure that supports a growing community.
  • Influence strategic operational decisions, infrastructure investments, and service improvements that will shape Chesapeake's future.
  • Develop future utility leaders while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Help ensure reliable, resilient, and sustainable utility services that enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is a collaborative and forward-thinking leader who inspires confidence through integrity, professionalism, and sound decision-making. They communicate effectively with employees, elected officials, customers, and community partners while building strong relationships across the organization. They understand the importance of balancing operational excellence, fiscal responsibility, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service, and they are committed to developing employees, embracing innovation, and leading confidently during both routine operations and emergency situations.

Join Our Team

At the City of Chesapeake, public service is more than a career-it's an opportunity to make a lasting difference. If you're ready to lead an exceptional team, strengthen critical infrastructure, and help shape the future of one of Virginia's premier public utilities, we encourage you to apply.

The City of Chesapeake offers an exceptional range of benefits. Please browse our Benefits Brochure, for a full list of benefits and employee perks.

Required Qualifications

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in civil or mechanical engineering, administration/management, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

In addition to satisfying the vocational/education standards, this class requires a minimum of six years of related, full-time equivalent experience. Experience in field maintenance and supervision is preferred.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

Requires a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City Driving Standards.

A Professional Engineer license is also preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Emergency operations support work and work locations may be outside of normal job duties.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

  • Municipal water and wastewater utility operations
  • Organizational leadership and employee development
  • Capital project and asset management
  • Emergency management and incident response
  • OSHA compliance and construction safety
  • Budget development and financial management
  • Virginia public procurement

Posting Detail Information

Job Open Date 07/08/2026 Job Close Date 07/22/2026 Open Continuous No Special Instructions to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in a career with the City of Chesapeake! We are an exceptional place to live, learn, work, farm and play.

Please specify whether employment was Part Time or Full Time for each job listed on your application and resume.

Medical Marijuana:

In accordance with City policy, this position is deemed safety-sensitive. As such, applicants for this position are subject to pre-employment drug/alcohol testing after receiving a conditional offer of employment and may also be subject to random testing. This drug test includes testing for marijuana. Possession of a medical marijuana card will not excuse an applicant from the testing process; however, a test will not be considered positive for marijuana if a valid medical marijuana certification is presented unless the position requires a commercial driver's license (CDL) or is a sworn law-enforcement officer/deputy.

ADA Checklist

Overall Physical Strength Demands

Overall Physical Strength Demands S=Sedentary - Exerting up to 10 lbs. occasionally or small weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Standing Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Sitting Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Walking Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Lifting Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Lifting Amount Exerting up to 10 lbs Carrying Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Carrying Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs Pushing/Pulling Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Pushing/Pulling Weight Exerting up to 10 lbs Reaching N = Never Handling N = Never Fine Dexterity Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Kneeling N = Never Crouching Never- Never occurs. Crawling Never- Never occurs. Bending Never- Never occurs. Twisting N = Never Climbing Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Balancing Never- Never occurs. Vision Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Hearing Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Talking Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Foot Controls Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. Machines, Tools, Equipment and Work Aids Used

typical office equipment such as comuter, phone, copier, etc.

City vehicle

Protective Equipment Required

Personal protective equipment such as hard hat, steel toe boots, safety glasses, reflective vest.

Health and Safety

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Mechanical Hazards N = Never Chemical Hazards N = Never Electrical Hazards N = Never Fire Hazards N = Never Explosives N = Never Communicable Diseases N = Never Physical Danger or Abuse N = Never Other If Other, Description

Environmental Factors

D = Daily W = Several Times Per Week M = Several Times Per Month S = Seasonally N = Never

Dirt and Dust S = Seasonally Extreme Temperatures S = Seasonally Noise and Vibration N = Never Fumes and Odors N = Never Wetness/Humidity S = Seasonally Darkness or Poor Lighting N = Never Primary Work Location Office Environment

Non-Physical Demands

C = Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. F = Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. O = Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. R = Rarely- Less than 1 hour per week. N = Never- Never occurs.

Time Pressures Continuously- 2/3 or more of the time. Emergency Situations Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Frequent Change of Tasks Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Irregular Work Schedule/Overtime Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Performing Multiple Tasks Simultaneously Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Working Closely with Others as Part of a Team Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Tedious or Exacting Work Frequently- From 1/3 to 2/3 of the time. Noisy/Distracting Environment Occasionally- Up to 1/3 of the time. Other If Other, Description Can anyone assist the employee in performing the primary tasks assigned to this position? If yes, identify the eligible task(s)

This position is assigned an Office Coordinator to assist with scheduling, hiring and written correspondence.

Professional References

Professional References

Please provide contact information for professional references.

Minimum Requests 0 Maximum Requests 4

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    • Do you possess a valid driver's license and a driving record that is in compliance with the City's Driving Standards? Please review link in posting for details.
  • Yes

  • No

    • Please elaborate on any present or past experience supervising staff. Type NA, if not applicable.

(Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Resume

Optional Documents

  • Cover Letter

About the Company

C

City of Chesapeake VA