Utilities Manager
Assists in the planning, directing, and controlling the daily operations of the Utilities Department which includes water and wastewater treatment plants, water distribution system, and sanitary sewer collection system to ensure drinking water meets designated specifications and effluent water from wastewater plants meet state and federal regulations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities :
- Oversees all services divisions including water distribution, wastewater collection, SCADA & instrumentation, and meter infrastructure. Directs supervisors and superintendents to ensure field tasks, repairs, inspections, and service orders are completed efficiently and in compliance with standards.
- Assist in managing the capital improvements for the Utilities Department providing for ongoing annual evaluation of water infrastructure condition reports and new facility needs for current facility and projected growth demands in the future.
- Develop and manage the capital improvement plan; this duty includes the development through use of consulting services, staff participation in the development of water and sewer master plans.
- Assists in directing and managing the administrative functions of the division inclusive of the development and enforcement of policies and procedures for the annual current budget. As well as directing the preparation steps necessary for the new budget, including critical expense trend analysis along with the Business Manager to determine an accurate need for proper operational budgets and capital investment needs. Prepares a final recommended budget for the Directors review and approval.
- Assists in directing the annual preparation and submission for Director approval an integrated Work Plan for all Operations Divisions (Water Distribution and Construction, Water Treatment, Water Pollution Control, Wastewater Collection and Treatment, and Asset Management) Engineering Division, and Administrative Divisions; and evaluates the implementation of the work plan, assignments, employee training and established work schedules.
- Responsibilities include job performance evaluations of Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Business Manager and other personnel for his / her responsibility.
- Assists in providing direction to the superintendents' daily conditions within the City water distribution system, wastewater collection system, water treatment system and wastewater treatment systems to ensure compliance with all regulatory (local, State, Federal) requirements. Efforts to include management of main break repairs, wastewater overflows and cleanup, solids dewatering and disposal operations, odor control, pump operations, street cut approvals and repair, spoils removal, temporary service connections, testing and chlorination of newly installed mains, Construction crew activities and traffic control device management where required. Recommend corrective actions in a timely manner for necessary recycle projects.
- Assists in the evaluation and analysis of water and wastewater system status and directs and manages the implementation strategic measures to monitor, rehabilitate and / or replace aged infrastructure in order to minimize customer service interruptions and / or pollution of the receiving waters.
- Assists in managing the Emergency Management Response and Coordination procedures for the department by evaluating and recommending changes to response procedures, equipment and materials necessary to comply with emergency events and federal requirements.
- Assists in managing the Master Planning process by providing direction to professional services consultants of changing directions as well as plan amendments when growth changes occur.
- Assists in preparing a $60,000,000.00 size budget.
- Provides customer service regarding the high-water bills, Fire hydrant meter, and new commercial meter.
- Will be required to drive a City vehicle for city business use.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies for Successful Performance of Job Duties :
Knowledge of the principles and practices of water and wastewater treatment distribution and collection systems.Knowledge of the financial and budgetary process requirements in the administration of a water and sewer system.Knowledge of the environmental and operational state and federal compliance requirements in water and wastewater systems.Knowledge of the appropriate communication procedures under municipal government.Knowledge of contractual documents and their interpretation.Knowledge of necessary employment needs for operation of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection facilities.Knowledge of Asset Management and the effective administration of such project.Skilled in the use of a personal computer and its software to produce usable documents.Skilled in the management and supervisory techniques of working with management staff and labor personnel.Skilled in the communication with media and members of the news community in delivery of critical information during emergency incidences as well as progress reporting.Skilled in communicating project status to Director, City Managers, and members of the City Council.Skilled in the coordination and cooperation with staff members of all city departments for the efficient of city business.Skilled in training and teaching of management techniques to subordinates.Ability to administer a project for its planning stages to final completion.Ability to negotiate terms of a contract for the benefit of the city.Ability to review and understand levels of performance in water and wastewater system benchmarking.Ability to discuss and communicate in technical capacity with consulting professional services personnel.Ability to communicate technical information to subordinates and lay personnel.Ability to motivate and lead a group of personnel to the effective completion of a project.Ability to train and improve qualifications and skills of subordinate personnel.Ability to positively negotiate win-win solutions within groups.Ability to effectively work with consulting firms in completion of projects.Ability to establish cooperation within different departments.Ability to prepare, review, and interpret environmental plans and engineering specifications.Ability to plan and supervise the work of designated subordinates engaged in the Utilities Department.Ability to interpret repair and replacement schedules for infrastructure needs and provide change recommendations.Ability to develop repair to replacement calculations for infrastructure improvement strategies.Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language.Ability to comply and make independent decisions in accordance with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.Work Environment / Conditions and Physical Demands :
Physical Effort Requirements :
Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and / or hazards. Occasional outside work.Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and / or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and / or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.Work Environment Locations :
Seldom : Confined space, Warehouse environmentSometimes : Outdoor environment, Street environment (near moving traffic), Construction siteFrequently : VehiclesOften : Office or similar indoor environmentExposures :
Seldom : Individuals who are hostile or irate, Individuals with known violent backgrounds, Extreme cold (below 32 degrees), Communicable diseases, Moving mechanical parts, Fumes or airborne particles, Toxic or caustic chemicals or substancesSometimes : Extreme heat (above 100 degrees), Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)Travel :
Sometimes : Regional travel, National travelSeldom : International travelMinimum Qualifications :
Bachelor's Degree from an accreditedcollege or university in Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, or Geology, or related field.At least seven (7) years of experience in the field of water and wastewater systems management.At least three (3) years of managerial level experience.Council of Higher Education AccreditationRequired Licenses or Certifications :
Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.