Director of Utilities

The City of Newberry•Newberry, FL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Newberry is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader to oversee its electric, water, and wastewater utilities. As a key member of the City's leadership team, this role provides strategic leadership for utility operations, regulatory compliance, capital improvement planning, infrastructure expansion, emergency response, and the reliable delivery of essential utility services. The position requires a leader who leads by example, can think strategically, build strong relationships, and is willing to engage in field work when necessary. The role involves leading a Five-Year, $120.1 Million Utility Capital Improvement Program, with major initiatives including an Advanced Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, Secondary Electric Feeder, SR 26 Twin Way Pair Relocations and Upsizing, Septic-to-Sewer Conversion Program, SAHMG Water Resilience Projects, and additional water, wastewater, and electric infrastructure improvements. This is an opportunity to help build the future of Newberry's utility infrastructure.

Requirements

Valid Florida Driver License.
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in electric, water, and/or wastewater utility operations, public utilities, infrastructure maintenance, engineering, construction management, or a closely related field.
At least three (3) years in a supervisory or management role.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
FEMA/NIMS training may be required within a specified period after hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Utility Management, Construction Management, or a related field.
Experience in a municipal government or public utility environment.
Extensive experience managing both water and wastewater operations.
Experience managing electric distribution systems.
Extensive experience with utility construction project development and delivery.
Florida Water Treatment Plant Operator License and/or Florida Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator License.
Experience with FDEP compliance, utility permitting, consent orders or corrective action plans, capital improvement planning, utility capacity planning, and development review.
Experience with SCADA systems, asset management, preventive maintenance programs, and emergency response.
Florida public sector experience.
Additional certifications related to water distribution, wastewater collection, backflow prevention, utility management, project management, safety, or emergency management are preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead the City's electric, water, and wastewater utility operations while ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient service delivery.
Ensure regulatory compliance while promoting operational excellence through system reliability, asset management, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement.
Oversee capital improvement projects, infrastructure expansion, utility construction, permitting, contractor management, and long-range planning.
Develop and administer budgets, contracts, utility rates, policies, capital improvement plans, and operational priorities.
Collaborate with City leadership, residents, developers, engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support responsible growth and exceptional customer service.
Lead utility response and recovery efforts during storms, outages, infrastructure failures, and other emergency situations.
Foster a positive, collaborative workplace by leading with integrity, developing employees, promoting accountability, and demonstrating the City's core values of Teamwork, Respect, Accountability, Innovation, Leadership, and Superior Service (TRAILS).