Public Utilities Director
About The Position
The Public Utilities Director performs complex professional and administrative work in planning, organizing, and directing the County’s water distribution, water production and filtration, wastewater collection and treatment, and the construction, maintenance, and repair of water and sewer infrastructure. The position operates under the direction of the Director of Water Resources and is responsible for implementing departmental policies, goals, and regulatory requirements. Work includes overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with NCDEQ, EPA, and all applicable state and federal regulations, managing budgets and capital projects, and coordinating activities across multiple divisions. The Director provides leadership and supervision to all department personnel and must be able to operate effectively in a rural environment with aging infrastructure and evolving operational needs.
Requirements
- Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public water and wastewater utility management is required, including five (5) years in senior leadership or executive management.
- A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
- A valid North Carolina driver’s license is also required due to operational travel and the potential assignment of a County work truck.
- Demonstrated experience managing water, wastewater, or distribution system operations in a municipal or county setting.
- Strong working knowledge of NCDEQ, EPA, and applicable state and federal regulatory requirements.
- Experience supervising operational staff.
- Experience coordinating daily field activities.
- Experience maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing budgets and resources within aging infrastructure systems.
Nice To Haves
- North Carolina Water Treatment, Water Distribution, or Wastewater Operator certifications, or the ability to obtain within two years of hire.
- Experience in rural or resource-limited utility environments.
- Experience coordinating capital or system-improvement projects with engineers.
- Experience managing SCADA systems, pump stations, chemical feed systems, and other technical components of water and wastewater operations.
- Demonstrated experience responding to system failures, water quality issues, and weather-related emergencies.
- A master’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or a closely related field is desirable.
- A North Carolina Professional Engineer license is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates activities of all divisions and facilities involved in management of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems for the County.
- Recommends employee hiring, promotions, suspensions, terminations, and merit advances.
- Maintains positive public relations through press releases, annual water/wastewater customer reports, and civic group presentations; effectively resolves customer complaints.
- Oversees and administers the County’s delegated self-permitting program from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), enforcement of local ordinances and permits, and all legal activities of the department.
- Oversees and administers the County industrial pretreatment program and the land application of treatment plant residuals.
- Prepares and administers budgets, contracts, and monitors expenditures.
- Develops spending plans and revenue projections for water and wastewater sales and services; makes rate setting recommendations to management and Commissioners.
- Prepares cost estimates for capital project improvement plans.
- Oversees and administers regulatory programs, including compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Water Act, USEPA Process Safety, NCDEQ Dam Safety, and all other applicable State and Federal regulations.
- Prepares requests for proposals for engineering and other professional services.
- Prepares/reviews comprehensive short- and long-range plans for all aspects of the department including water/wastewater capital improvements, financing, and program development.
- Performs master planning for water supply distribution and wastewater collection/treatment.
- Performs related tasks as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
