Senior Planner; Public Utilities

Job Title

The purpose of this job is to research, prepare, and provide technical work for the Public Utilities Department of the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing administrative support, preparing reports, assisting the public, preparing and administering grants, preparing planning studies, administering planning ordinances and regulations, administering capital improvement programs and projects, presenting findings to groups, and performing additional tasks as assigned.

Bachelor degree in urban/regional planning, engineering, economics, public administration, or related field, with four years of strategic planning, master planning, capital planning, and/or community comprehensive planning required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Two years of supervisory experience. Must possess a valid driver's license. Master's Degree preferred.

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. Managerial and Administrative Oversees the Water Conservation Office and Compliance section. Supervises assigned staff, handles employee concerns, directs work assignments, counsels and disciplines employees, and completes employee performance appraisals. Prepares agenda items for the Department on pertinent matters;

coordinates their submission to the Government. Prepares, submits, and reviews the division's budget and assists with preparing the department's budget; monitors expenditures under the current budget. Acts on behalf of the Public Utilities Director when appropriate, including the preparation and delivery of public presentations on planning, water supply, drought, and conservation rates. Participates as a key person on PUD's executive management team.

Coordinates work, meetings, and issues with other departments. Long-range Planning Prepares twenty-year projections of demand for water and wastewater services based upon estimates of service area population and employment in the community. Prepares and maintains the Service Delivery Plan (SDP); assists in yearly updates of water and wastewater demand down to the details of use category, meter size, and peaking factors.

In responsible charge of update and overhaul of SDP on five-year intervals. Prepares and maintains two of the three SDP elements: infrastructure element and capital improvements element; duties include preparing special area studies, making recommendations, and preparing economic base, infrastructure, and utilities studies. Evaluates and analyzes water use and new connections; statistical data analysis; originates summary reports on important trends reflected in this analysis and its potential impact on the SDP.

Coordinates with the Planning Department on the ACCUG Comprehensive Plan; incorporates changes in the Comprehensive Plan into the SDP. Identifies important GIS maps and databases needed to support comprehensive planning efforts in cooperation with the GIS/Graphics Division. Assists in the development and maintenance of a thorough database of pertinent information to support the planning function, including the reviewing, classifying, and evaluation of data.

Capital Programs and Projects Serves as project team leader on assigned capital projects. Prepares special reports on capital endeavors and programs such as the nonpotable reuse utility and biosolids reuse. Prepares requests for proposals (RFP's); coordinates capital projects with consultants, including the creation and expansion of a nonpotable reuse utility, establishment of alternative energy sources (e.g., solar power) and biosolids treatment and reuse.

Create a water reuse system. Lead the reuse program and individual capital projects thereunder from source to tap; recruit reuse customers and coordinate reuse opportunities with Economic Development. Research and advise decision makers on nonpotable and potable reuse opportunities and challenges. Coordinates water supply development. Investigate means and methods to augment potable water supplies and make ACC more drought resilient.

This effort could include acquisition and development of a water storage facility. Lead PUD's efforts to establish a leak detection program spanning several divisions. Explore alternative energy generation at four facilities. Develop the next round of candidate energy conservation projects. Manage planning and design consulting contracts for reuse, alternative energy, and leak detection. Lead and Oversee PUD's Watershed Protection Program.

Participate as a steering committee member of the project teams for biosolids, AMI portal development, and water rate structure review. Coordinates projects with other departments of the…