Policy Advisor - Compliance

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) seeks a Policy Advisor for Compliance to manage DPU’s water, wastewater, and stormwater compliance program, a mission critical operation. DPU is a City of Richmond department that oversees the operation, maintenance, and continued improvement of the City of Richmond’s public water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, stormwater conveyance and flood protection, and gas distribution infrastructure.

• Compliance tracking and reporting, including tracking of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Coordination and oversight of the operational and engineering groups as their work pertains to meeting requirements of DPU operating permits. Development of standard operating procedures and tracking dashboards to assist operational groups in meeting compliance requirements and periodic internal audits.
• Identifying deficiencies and opportunities for synergistic collaboration across utilities. Formulates and recommends strategies for advancing projects and solving complex issues. Provides leadership and vision to support recommended strategies.
• Development of technical material, including reports and public outreach material, to satisfy compliance requirements.
• Organizing, reviewing, researching, managing, and directing initiatives, rules, regulations, plans, programs, agency items, etc. Drafting, implementing, reviewing, and responding to various documents, ordinances, emails, etc.
• Management of consultants (scope, fee, task orders, procurement) supporting investigations, monitoring, and other compliance-related services.
• Networking, communicating, and meeting with various organizations and businesses.
• As needed, attending, preparing for, organizing, conducting, and serving on various settings, such as VAMSA and VAMWA. Representing the executive at meetings and hearings. Serving as a liaison with attorneys, consultants, executives, municipal representatives, community boards and professional associations.

The following is a partial list of operational permits:

• Stormwater and sewer integrated permit
• Drinking water distribution main design and construction
• Drinking water treatment operating permit

This position may supervise other employees.

This position reports to the Director for Water and Administration.

• Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, or field directly related to assignment.
• A Master's Degree in a field directly related to assignment is preferred.
• Six years of progressively responsible related experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

• None required.

Typical knowledge, skills, and abilities:
These are a representative sample; position assignments may vary.

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

• Agencies, support staff, companies, products, and requirements in area of focus
• Analytical testing procedures
• Business development
• Constituent service
• Cross-system and interagency collaboration
• Budget management
• Management practices
• Federal, state, and local laws and procedures related to area of focus
• Legal concepts
• Legislative processes particularly for the City
• Logistics in area of focus such as multi-modal transportation
• Policy development and implementation
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Project management
• Rules, regulations, procedures, and policies in area of focus

Skills (some combination of the following):

• Advancing complex planning and project initiatives
• Communicating technical and complex information easily and concisely
• Communicating with various internal and external departments at all levels
• Developing annual capital and operating budgets
• Developing programs and services in area of focus including scope, schedule, and budget
• Strategic negotiating
• Drafting and creating documents, correspondences, presentations, and memos
• Evaluating program measures and outcomes
• Leading and motivating people and teams
• Managing federal grants and…