Executive Director - Polk Regional Water Cooperative

Polk County • Bartow, FL

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Polk Regional Water Cooperative is an independent special district created by Polk County and fifteen Polk County municipalities to develop and deliver a regional public water supply. It is building a capital program of approximately $800 million, with the Southeast Wellfield Project in construction and the West Polk Wellfield Project in design. The Cooperative is transitioning from a small, contracted organization into a fully operating regional water utility, and the Executive Director will lead this transition. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer, appointed by and reporting to the Board of Directors. Key responsibilities include overseeing the delivery of the capital program on schedule and within budget, managing financing, budgets, rates, and cost allocation among Member Governments, handling permitting and regulatory affairs, building the Cooperative's staff, and maintaining relationships with Member Governments, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and state and federal agencies. The position is based in Polk County and requires regular regional travel and evening meetings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in public administration, engineering, environmental science, business or finance, or licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida.
• Ten years of management experience in water resource management or public water supply.
• Five years of experience in the administration of a utility system, department or agency.
• Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• Experience reporting to a governing board.
• Experience delivering a capital program of comparable scale.
• Experience with state and federal infrastructure loans and grants.
• Familiarity with Florida water supply planning and Southwest Florida Water Management District programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the transition of the Cooperative from a contracted organization to a fully operating regional water utility.
• Oversee the delivery of the capital program on schedule and within budget.
• Manage financing, budgets, rates, and cost allocation among Member Governments.
• Handle permitting and regulatory affairs.
• Build the Cooperative's staff.
• Maintain relationships with Member Governments, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and state and federal agencies.

Benefits

• Monthly allowance in lieu of insurance (Year One).
• Vehicle allowance and expenses (Year One).
• Paid time off (Year One).
• Health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage (Beginning Year Two).
• Employer deferred-compensation contribution (Beginning Year Two).
• Leave under the Cooperative's personnel policies (Beginning Year Two).
• Florida Retirement System membership in the Senior Management Service Class (Beginning Year Two).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive