Operations Deputy Water Services Director

About This Position

The City of Phoenix is the fifth largest city, operating one of the largest water utilities, in the United States. Phoenix treats and delivers safe, reliable drinking water to 1.7 million customers across approximately 540 square miles and manages the sewer collection system and treats wastewater for 2.5 million residents in metropolitan Phoenix. The utility, a rate‑supported municipal enterprise fund with AAA Standard & Poor's and Fitch, and Aa2 Moody's bond ratings, currently operates with a $370 M annual budget and $3.7 B, five‑year capital program and is committed to maintaining financial viability in balance with affordability, excellent customer service, and sustainable infrastructure.

The City of Phoenix is seeking three results‑oriented, experienced and high‑performing Deputy Water Services Directors in the Water Meter Division, Water Distribution Division, and Wastewater Collection Division. The Deputy Water Services Director of the Water Meter Division oversees 140 employees and an annual budget of $23 M. The Deputy Water Services Director is responsible for the Department's meter asset inventory, the maintenance and reading of over 445,000 meters, installation of new meters, water theft investigations, and implementation of the meter replacement and automatic meter reading program.

The Deputy Water Services Director of the Water Distribution Division is a 24‑hour, 7‑day/week operation responsible for the maintenance and repair of over 7,000 miles of water distribution main lines, 403,700 water service connections, over 169,000 valves and 57,000 fire hydrants. The division includes a staff of over 200 employees with an annual budget of $85 M. The Deputy Water Services Director of the Wastewater Collection Division is responsible for the maintenance, repair and operation of 5,000 miles of piping infrastructure, over 28 lift stations and odor control facilities, and 120,000 manholes and cleanouts in a service territory covering 540 square miles.

The division includes a staff of over 110 employees with an annual budget of $25 M. Each Deputy Water Services Director is responsible for the overall management and leadership of their Division including work assignments, budgeting, and resolving personnel issues. The position requires the use of independent judgment and initiative in making technical decisions and policy recommendations of considerable difficulty. Work is performed under the general direction of an Assistant Water Services Director and performance is evaluated on the basis of results achieved.

Learn more about the Water Services Department.

• Communicate effectively across all organizational levels and with external stakeholders using strong oral, written, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrate innovative leadership with strategic thinking, problem‑solving abilities, and a talent for identifying alternative solutions.
• Apply analytical skills and data‑driven decision‑making to inform strategies and communicate insights clearly.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally on diverse projects, fostering strong relationships to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
• Cultivate a positive, supportive atmosphere within the department and the broader organization.
• Stay current with leading‑edge industry trends, standards, and technologies, applying them to enhance operations and performance.

Hiring Range: $ – $ annually. Pay Range: $ – $ annually.

• Pay range is the entire compensation range for the position classification.
• Hiring range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• The City contributes 9% of salary into 457/401(a) plans with no matching required. $4,200/annual car allowance and $1,440/annual cell phone allowance.
• Promotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade increase.
• Demotions occur when the last two digits of the pay grade decrease.
• Lateral transfers occur when there is no change to the last two digits of the pay grade.
• When there is a change…