Water Resources Director

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs complex professional, technical, and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing a large public utilities operation with significant regulatory, environmental, and economic impact and scope.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class serves as the department head of the City’s Water Resources Department, providing strategic direction and oversight for water and wastewater utilities. The employee is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of essential public services that protect public health, support environmental stewardship, and promote sustainable community growth. Employee will lead and direct the work of crews in water distribution and wastewater collection systems and treatment facilities. The employee leads departmental operations through strategic planning, budgeting, personnel management, and performance oversight. Emphasis of the work is placed on regulatory compliance, operational excellence, infrastructure planning, and workforce development. The employee is a key member of the City’s leaderships team and reports to the Assistant City Manager. Work is evaluated on the basis of service delivery, regulatory and safety compliance, fiscal management, achievement of individual and departmental goals, and organizational leadership.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, organizes, and manages the functions of the Water Resources Department including water and sewer maintenance and treatment; ensures coordination and collaboration with other departments; oversees special projects and on-going activities.
• Directs and oversees departmental personnel including selection, training, coaching, team building, performance management, and succession planning in collaboration with subordinate supervisors and Human Resources; meets frequently with supervisors to solve more complex problems; sets priorities and deadlines, provides guidance and direction.
• Monitors daily operations to enhance and maintain a high degree of public trust; identifies and influences the implementation of best practices to improve productivity, safety, public image, and to reduce operating costs.
• Coordinates with City leadership, elected officials, and external stakeholders for long-range planning for infrastructure development, expansion, replacement, service delivery, and environmental compliance.
• Holds staff meetings to keep staff informed, goal-oriented, and customer-focused, and to solve problems and issues that broadly affect the department and staff.
• Ensures all work in assigned area is completed within scope, schedule, cost, and on time, while providing quality service and adhering to safety and regulatory compliance.
• Provides proactive and responsive customer service, thoroughly addressing customers’ requests and questions and ensuring complaints are handled as quickly and professionally as possible.
• Conducts field inspections of public utilities projects to monitor project progress and operational effectiveness.
• Attends meetings of various boards, commissions, groups, and associations to respond to questions and provide technical information and advice as may be required.
• Prepares and monitors departmental operating budget; submits recommendations to the Assistant City Manager for capital improvements for water and sewer maintenance, and water and wastewater treatment plants; estimates project and program related fees; monitors and approves expenditures.
• Plans, organizes, and monitors a variety of contracted work; coordinates with design professionals and contractors; participates in technical plan review.
• Prepares specifications for the purchase of specialized public utilities equipment; authorizes routine purchase orders
• Reviews and manages consulting engineering services for the City, including plans and specifications for new construction, repairs, and modifications of public utilities facilities; makes recommendations regarding contracted consultants as required
• Supervises the creation and retention of necessary records and preparation of required reports.
• Reviews all plans and specifications regarding utility systems; reviews and approves subdivision and land development plans for compliance with regulations and sound utility practices related to design of water and wastewater infrastructure and apparatus as required as part of the Technical Review Committee.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including environmental and safety standards.
• Coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies to achieve departmental goals and improve overall business results.
• Performs other duties, as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public utilities administration applied to development and construction of public utilities projects, specifically associated with water and wastewater.
• Knowledge of general principles of water and wastewater transmission and distribution systems and related equipment and methodologies for operations.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public utilities layout and design, construction, and maintenance of water and wastewater utility distribution and collection systems and water treatment and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws including OSHA regulations pertaining to public utilities functions.
• Knowledge of governmental bidding and procurement laws and practices.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Skill and ability to effectively and efficiently manage a department including all related administrative and supervisory functions involving personnel and budget administration.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and direct public utilities personnel and programs in achieving maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage various engineering consulting, utility, and maintenance functions.
• Ability to perform technical cost computations and provide comprehensive recommendations to resolve issues related to public utilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, government officials, City employees, contractors, and community groups.
• Ability to prepare and deliver clear and concise written and oral presentations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in engineering, construction management, business management, or a related field; bachelor's degree highly preferred.
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in the management and supervision of public utilities is required; an equivalent combination of education, training and experience in public sector utility construction, installation and maintenance providing the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to adequately perform the essential duties may be considered.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises Water Resources personnel.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is generally performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions in which the employee is subject to workplace hazards including exposure to operating mechanical equipment creating fumes, odors, and dusts and atmospheric conditions with extreme cold and heat for extended periods of time. Employee is subject to a level of noise requiring workers to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. In addition, the employee is subject to a chance of injury from walking or standing in a construction site. Work involves emergency call-back service.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess visual acuity to necessary to inspect schematic drawings, prepare and analyze figures and data, perform extensive reading, and operate a computer terminal. 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License.
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain and maintain, the highest levels of certification for water and wastewater treatment and/or collection or distribution systems operations by the State of North Carolina.
• Completion of, or the ability to complete, FEMA National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) coursework applicable with position.

HIRING RANGE

$138,000-143,000

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Open until filled, apply by April 13, 2026, for first consideration.