Utilities Director

Under general direction, manages and coordinates activities of the City's three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment) including the installation, maintenance, repair, expansion, and/or relocation of water distribution, sewage collection, and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Manages and coordinates activities of the wastewater treatment plant to treat, process, and dispose of wastewater, bio solids, and related waste material. Provides oversight and guidance to utility team leaders to effectively organize, plan and direct daily and long term work crew activities in each division.

With the assistance of the utility team leaders, prepares budget and master plans for future needs of the community. Ensures compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, and with all City safety standards. Responds to citizen inquiries related to any of the three utility divisions in an appropriate, professional and timely manner. Requires a strong understanding of hydraulic principles, budget management, and personnel management.

• Manage utility operations and oversee the installation and repair of water and sewer infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant operations and oversee the industrial pretreatment program, the treatment, processing, and disposal of wastewater, biosolids, and related waste material.
• Ensure City of Montrose compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and requirements for the proper operation of systems related to water distribution, sewer collection and wastewater treatment.
• Identify and address problems associated with maintaining existing and installing new utility infrastructure by consulting plan specifications and conferring with various consultants, engineers and vendors.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures, goals, objectives and annual budget for the three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment).
• Analyze trends of the area being served, such as population and industrial growth, usage demands or other impacts to the system to determine adequacy of current facilities and to forecast future facility needs. Develop utility maintenance and capital improvement master plans to serve the expanding community needs.
• Evaluate new developments in materials, tools, equipment, and processes. Implement and manage change among utility divisions to reduce operating costs, and to provide for more efficient and effective service delivery.
• Respond to customer inquiries and complaints and work to resolve concerns in a professional, timely and positive manner. Communicate with customers in a proactive fashion regarding utility outages and service interruptions to mitigate the negative impact resulting from these issues.
• Ensure that records, reports, etc. for regulatory agencies regarding plans and operations are properly prepared, submitted, and maintained in accordance with standards to ensure City compliance at all times.
• Department Head Additional Essential Functions.
  • Business Acumen:
    Understand business implications of decisions, demonstrate knowledge of market and aligns work with strategic goals.
  • Change Management:
    Communicate change effectively, prepare and support those affected by change, monitor transition and evaluates results.
  • Communications:
    Express ideas and thoughts orally and in writing. Exhibit good listening & comprehension; select & use appropriate communication methods.
  • Managing Customer Focus:
    Establish, promote, and monitor customer service standards to assure the best outcomes.
• Supervision
  • Feedback:
    Establish goals and expectations for workers. Write and conduct employee evaluations.
  • Staffing:
    Ensure position descriptions are accurate and assist in interviewing and selecting candidates appropriate to the work.
  • Scheduling:
    Ensure schedules are set to get the work done in accordance with HR guidelines.
  • Training:
    Assure implementation of job specific training to ensure employee success.

Core beliefs are deeply held values and assumptions that guide individuals in the workplace. Core beliefs define how we do things. By establishing core beliefs, the City of Montrose is creating a common culture that shapes employee behavior in a positive and predictable manner. When these beliefs are shared, they create cohesiveness and mutual commitment in the organization and flexibility to changes as they occur.

Our core beliefs are centered on exceptional…