Utility Director - Water​/Wastewater

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Description

Waggoner Engineering is seeking a highly skilled

Department: Water/Wastewater

Location: Meridian, MS

Description

Waggoner Engineering is seeking a highly skilled Water/Wastewater Utility Director to lead and oversee water and wastewater operations for the City of Meridian, MS. The Director will be responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and infrastructure management, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient services to the community. This leadership role demands technical expertise, strategic vision, operational management, and a commitment to public service.

Are you ready to inspire, engage and deliver? For almost 50 years Waggoner has delivered sound results through a culture of integrity, service and creativity to benefit our clients. Waggoner has more than doubled in size over the last five years and growth is expected to significantly increase through the addition of talented personnel.

What does that mean for you? Waggoner differentiates itself as a leader in growth strategy for water and disaster recovery, as well as providing full engineering services across 6 states. We need people who are inspired for future growth, engage as leaders in their respective fields, and deliver to both internal and external clients.

Your Primary Responsibilities will include

• Lead, manage, and oversee all operations of the City's water and wastewater systems, including treatment plants, distribution, and collection systems.
• Develop and implement operational plans, budgets, and capital improvement strategies aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations (EPA, MDEQ, MSDH) and reporting standards.
• Direct and mentor operations staff, including hiring, training, evaluation, and professional development.
• Coordinate closely with city leadership, regulatory agencies, engineering teams, and contractors to support infrastructure projects and system upgrades.
• Manage vendor and service contracts, ensuring quality performance and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor system performance, initiate process improvements, and integrate innovative technologies to optimize system reliability and efficiency.
• Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory inspections, audits, and emergency responses.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, fostering public confidence in the City's utility services.
• Prepare and deliver reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations to municipal leadership and governing boards.

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in water/wastewater utility management, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.
• In-depth knowledge of water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection system operations and maintenance.
• Expertise in regulatory compliance, environmental health and safety regulations, and emergency management.
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and capital project management.
• Proven leadership skills with a track record of successfully managing teams and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact effectively with public officials, engineers, regulatory agencies, and the community.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines efficiently.
• Proficiency with industry-related technology and asset management systems.
• Ability to develop, schedule, and implement a formal training program for all grades of employees of the utility division.

Why Join Our Team

We know work isn't only about what you do, it's also about who you work for and with! Waggoner Engineering provides a fun, family-friendly, and multicultural work…