Director of Water

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester invites applications for :

Director of Water

RPU, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota. RPU serves over 57,000 electric customers and 41,000 water customers in a 60 square mile service area and has revenues nearing $161 million annually.

Vision- "We Will Set the Standard for Service"www.rpu.orgThe City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging.

We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together Nature of Work

The Director of Water is an executive-level supervisory role which contributes to the daily and long-term operation and goals of the utility.

This individual has the responsibilities of strategic leadership and management of the division which includes forecasting service requirements.

To meet these requirements, the Director plans, organizes, and directs assigned resources of the water utility section within the division.

Work includes developing and administering the divisional budget as well as overseeing the daily engineering, operation, construction, maintenance and improvement of all water transmission and distribution infrastructure.

As a Director, this individual serves on the RPU Executive Team and is accountable for not only operating results which are consistent with established policies and objectives, but also for operating procedures which ensure compliance with regulations intended to protect human life, the natural environment, and the utilities' investment in plant property.

This position reports to the General Manager of Rochester Public Utilities and requires considerable independent judgment, discretion, and initiative in carrying out the responsibilities of the utility and organization's short- and long-term vision and goals, objectives and plans.

Pay The 2024 starting salary range is 131,110 to $154,240, with advancement to $187,299.

Work Environment This position is primarily in-person, with limited opportunity for occasional remote work. RPU currently has Tuesday and Friday as optional remote days depending on the requirements of the role.

To have your application considered for the first review of applications, please submit your application before September 16th, 2024.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification.

• Strategic Leadership and Direction
• Provide executive level strategic direction, guidance, management and coordination to the Utility as a member of the leadership team to fulfill the utility’s strategic plans and objectives.
• Participate in the organizational strategic planning process including development and implementation of short- and long-term goals and communication of the plan.
• Apply organizational and leadership practices to the periodic analysis and evaluation of work programs, procedures, policies, and operational needs of Department functions.
• Provide general guidance to assist section managers in carrying out and coordinating their assigned responsibilities.
• Provide cross functional collaboration with other RPU Divisions Directors to ensure fulfillment of RPU strategic objective, mission, and priorities.
• Division Management
• Establish documented practices, procedures and standards for the division, as well as set the priorities within the Division, to accomplish the objectives and implement the policies established by the General Manager and the Utility Board.
• Prepare annual personnel, capital and operating budgets; exercise effective management control to adhere to adopted budgets and recommend budget adjustments when required.
• Recommend changes where needed to improve the performance of existing areas and / or to accomplish additional objectives.
• Design and implement programs, initiatives, and policies that promote RPU culture.
• Exercise a leadership style that fosters teamwork, promotes team initiative, and provides professional growth opportunities for Department employees.
• Foster a collaborative leadership style that encourages teamwork, promotes staff initiative, and provides professional growth opportunities for all departmental employees.
• Develop and implement effective employee coaching and performance management strategies to ensure the achievement of organizational priorities and to create an environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, employee engagement, fiscal responsibility, and high-quality work.
• Create expectations and outcomes for employees to work collaboratively with other City department staff, public agencies, customers, and the community.
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and orientation processes for new employees and ensure strategies are implemented to obtain and maintain a diverse workforce.
• Partner with the Human Resources professionals to resolve employment / labor relations issues and participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations when requested.
• Encourage and inspire employees to do their best work while demonstrating positive leadership, positive communication, and a commitment to our Foundational Principles.
• RPU Representation
• Represent the General Manager when required, with such authority and responsibility as may be assigned, to develop strategic relationships with a broad spectrum of external organizations, including other City departments, state and federal regulatory agencies, trade and professional associations, neighboring utilities, consumers and public interest groups as directed.
• Represent RPU on external committees or groups related to state rulemaking or other regulatory activities related to water supply or water resources.

Future Needs Assessment / Action

Identify information requirements of the division and develop reports, which clearly identify key indicators of performance.

Analyze potential problem areas and implement or recommend corrective measures, where needed, to achieve performance objectives.

Assist in the preparation and negotiation of contracts and agreements with Employee Bargaining Units and parties external to the utility.

Establish guideline provisions to be included in contracts entered into.

• Review periodically the adequacy of the organizational structure, staffing, and succession plan of the Water division to effectively discharge department responsibilities essential to fulfillment of the total utility business purpose.
• Develop forecasts of future commodity requirements and develop coordinated plans for the operation, expansion and upgrading of facilities to ensure reliable and economic delivery of services to customers.
• Ensure that employee job training and safety programs are developed and carried out. Provide a working environment, which promotes safety, high levels of productivity and individual commitment to the objectives of RPU.

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Business Administration or closely related field from an accredited four-year college or university AND 10 years of progressively responsible full-time employment experience in water system planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance, with at least three (3) years of supervisory / management experience.

Licenses and / or Certifications

Minnesota Class D driver's license

If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.

Desirable Qualifications

Certification as a Professional Engineer (PE) from the state of Minnesota

Currently hold or willing to obtain a Class A or B Water Supply System Operator certification.

Municipal water utility experience

POSITION COMPETENCIES

Manages Complexity : Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems

Strategic Mindset : Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies

Ensures Accountability : Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments

Builds Networks : Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization

Drives Vision and Purpose : Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action

Instills Trust : Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of : the utility industry; operations, services, and activities of a municipal engineering program; the construction, operation and maintenance of a utility infrastructure;
• five-year capital improvement budget preparation and monitoring policies and procedures; principles and practices of complex project management and administration;
• methods and techniques of complex contract negotiations and administration; methods, materials, and techniques used in utility infrastructure projects;
• vertical turbine pump and motor design, operation, and maintenance; the Minnesota Department of Health rules and regulations relating to potable water systems;
• elevated storage tanks and coatings; methods and techniques of engineering plan review and analysis; engineering maps and records;
• recent developments, current literature, and sources of information related to innovations and trends in utility infrastructure design and development;
• principles and practices of business correspondence and technical report preparation; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases;

graphic software; principles of training; occupational health and safety standards; pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations..

Skill in : computer based accounting systems; MS Office; SAP; managing diverse projects and priorities simultaneously.

• Ability to : lead, organize, and review the work of staff; interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures;
• prepare engineering computations; prepare and review engineering plans, specifications, and estimates for projects; perform highly complex technical research and solve engineering problems;
• conduct comprehensive engineering studies and prepare reports and recommendations; coordinate and monitor the work of contractors performing utility infrastructure maintenance and construction activities;
• serve as the project manager on one or more complex projects; prepare and manage complex project budgets; maintain detailed project management records and documentation;
• interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; manage the work of outside consultants;
• respond to questions and inquiries from a variety of sources regarding engineering and development projects; coordinate activities with internal and external agencies and committees;
• operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems;
• prepare and present clear, concise and accurate oral and written technical and narrative reports; deal tactfully and effectively with the general public;

communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position.

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly 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.

However, there are times when this position will need to lift plans and / or construction documents and navigate the terrain of a construction site.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2 / 3 or more of the time), frequently (1 / 3 to 2 / 3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1 / 3 of the time) are noted below : Continuous demands : Standing, Sitting, Walking, Fine Dexterity

Frequent demands : Lifting, Handling, Reaching, Carrying

Occasional demands : Pushing / Pulling, Kneeling, Crouching, Bending

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include : sight, hearing and touch.