Utilities Director

The role of Utilities Director is highly technical, supervisory position performing the administrative work directing the City’s public utility programs. This role is responsible for the oversight and management of the Water and Wastewater divisions to ensure that the water and wastewater facilities and systems are operated and maintained efficiently and in accordance with federal, state, and local standards and regulations, and in a manner which protects and preserves the surrounding environment and public health.

Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in performing assigned tasks and considerable tact and courtesy are required when interacting with employees, other department directors, city officials, and the public. Strong project management and supervisory skills are critical for this position. Normally scheduled work hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with attendance at day/evening board/committee meetings as required.

This position requires work beyond normal business hours including evenings and weekend and responding to customer needs.

Essential employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The City Manager makes the determination of who will be required to work in times of emergency. The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification.

Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Plans, assigns, coordinates, directs, and oversees the management and operation of the diverse and specialized operations of the Public Utilities department.
• Conduct studies and oversees the implementation of mandated environmental reports such as water audits, leak detection surveys, backflow cross/connection plan, and water quality reports.
• Prepares and coordinates the permitting and re-permitting of water and wastewater facilities.
• Ensures compliance with all permit conditions.
• Formulates general operating policies with respect to all phases of public utilities.
• Develops, recommends, implements, and updates standard operating procedures to economize operations in the repair and maintenance of facilities while increasing productivity.
• Directs the preparation of agenda items, attends meetings and workshops, and presents agenda items to the City Commission when appropriate.
• Participates in the review of major development and construction plansfrom a Utilities perspective, making recommendations as appropriate. As well as oversees, analyzes, and evaluates the City’s capital improvement projects and provides project management for construction projects.
• Prepare requests for proposals and participate in the selection of contractors for services.
• Coordinates and manages the technical bid process for projects involving public utilities including the preparation, reviewing, and processing of a bid proposal, as well as attends and participates in the bid openings, evaluating bids and providing recommendations as necessary.
• Advises and oversees personnel actions of the department including selecting new employees, recommending transfers and promotions, acting on employee problems and disciplinary actions, terminations, performance evaluations, and salary allocations.
• Directs the development, administration, and review of the departmental budget while exercising control over expenditures including new personnel, materials, and equipment.
• Oversees and manages department personnel to ensure that all water and wastewater facilities are operated, repaired, and maintained efficiently and effectively while maintaining compliance with all federal and state standards, permit conditions, and City rules and regulations.
• Analyzes and designs departmental work processes, operations, and construction project approaches to continuously address effective and efficient service delivery.
• Participates in grant application programs and directs administration of the permitting process and related regulations through the Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida…