Public Utilities Director

Published on by for AWWA - American Water Works Association

Public Utilities Director

General Purpose
The Public Utilities Director shall work under the direct supervision of the City Manager. This is a highly independent and responsible executive level position that supervises and directs the day-to-day operations of various Public Utilities that includes water and sewer utilities, fleet maintenance, building maintenance, environmental services. Provides construction information, recommendations, technical assistance to City management, attends all meetings related to City Management and Public Utilities. Prioritizes order of construction projects and lays out daily work schedules; oversees construction projects including CIP projects, including supervising contractors and consultants. Administers department budget and authorizes related expenditures.


Typical Duties
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of the Water, Wastewater, Sanitation and environmental services.
• Maintains liaison with appropriate County, State, and Federal agencies.
• Establishes standards, plans, schedules, and procedures for expanding, operating, and maintaining the City's Public Utility Infrastructure.
• Assesses the need for consultant services and recommends accordingly; represents the City's interests in overseeing and evaluating consultant recommendations.
• Appraises adequacy of facilities and develops plans and priorities for modification and extensions; evaluates soundness and efficiency of operations; supervises the installation of improvements; and develops work programs and budgetary estimates.
• Recruits, selects and supervises employees within the Departments.
• Attends City Council Meetings and advisory board meetings as needed and responds to questions and complaints from General Public.
• Develop the annual budgets and capital improvement needs in support of long-range planning of City capital improvement plans or initiatives for each department with assistance from the various departments, and collectively monitor the progress of the budget throughout each fiscal
year.
• Lead and monitor the delivery of any Public Utility Infrastructure and Capital Improvement Programs.
• Works with City Management on maintenance of contract for the Municipal Landfill.

• Oversee the activities of Keep Alpine Beautiful and the Recycling Center.
• Continuously update the defined stakeholders for all projects, update service delivery types, and work to serve their needs as well as protect their interests.
• Hire, assign, supervise, and evaluate department heads, managers and staff. Assist with hiring and evaluation of other City personnel and ensures that his/her and all employees under his/her direction, comply with the City’s Personnel and Policy Rules and Regulations, safety and security standards.
• Serve as liaison to other City departments and outside organizations; respond to information requests, general citizen inquiries, and ensure positive public relations and excellent customer service.
• Ensures all regulator reports and deadlines are adhered to and department activities comply with regulating entities’ rules and regulations for all departments; immediately notifies the City Manager of any known regulatory violations, inspections, notices, investigations or enforcement
activities.
• Assists with city functions and special events and works on-call to handle emergency works as required or necessary.
• Performs other duties as required or necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Application of good knowledge of planning and drafting techniques.
• Application of good knowledge of geographical information systems.
• Application of good knowledge of mapping, drafting, graphics and illustration methods and materials.
• Application of some knowledge of public relations methods.
• Application of good knowledge of city, state, or federal regulations and City ordinances, rules, regulations and standards.
• Application of good knowledge of research methods.
• Knowledge in planning, operations, construction practices and materials used in design, engineering and configuration of water, wastewater, sanitation and landfill systems or services.
• Knowledge and understanding of pumps, meters, valves, lift stations as well as all testing and reporting required by regulatory bodies necessary for effective and efficient systems.
• Proven experience in developing and leading teams of people to accomplish public utility tasks, setting goals and objectives, work organization, delegation and employee supervision.
• Knowledge of municipal financial planning, budgeting and management.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a clear and professional manner.
• Prepare a variety of reports related to Public Utilities activities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, officials, customers, other city departments, and the general public.
• Knowledge of proper safety practices, procedures, and regulations applicable to work being performed.
• Skill in resolving problems or situations requiring the exercise of good judgment.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy and administrative guidelines.

• Skill in creating a professional department that is progressive, proactive and result driven and lead staff to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.


Other Job Characteristics
• Lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to rough adverse terrain, construction sites, heavy equipment, inclement weather, and extended periods of close detailed work.
• Exposure to hazardous environmental conditions, uneven or unstable terrain, climbing ladders, hazardous materials, chemicals, air and/or water borne pathogens.
• Occasionally work flexible hours, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.
• Occasional exposure to irate members of the public.
• Operation of a motor vehicle through City traffic.


 

Requirements

Education and Experience:  A minimum of a High School diploma or GED is required. Experience in utilities and maintenance experience at the management level; or an equivalent combination of training, education, and experience; including office support experience, cartographic or technical planning, or permitting, or licensing support experience preferred. A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Public Administration, or related field is preferred. Possession of Certification as a Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas highly desirable.

Licenses and Certificates:  This position requires a Texas Class “C” Driver’s License. Requires a “C” license in water treatment and requires a “C” license in waste water. Also a “B” license in wastewater treatment, preferred.
 

Information

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Years of experience: 5 to 10 years

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