Public Utilities Director

Franklin County•Louisburg, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Franklin County is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Public Utilities. Located in one of North Carolina's fastest-growing counties, Franklin County offers a unique opportunity for an experienced utility executive to lead a growing countywide water and sewer enterprise while helping shape the future of a rapidly expanding community within the Research Triangle Region. Reporting directly to the County Manager, the Director serves as the chief executive responsible for planning, directing, organizing, and administering all functions of the County's Public Utilities Department, including engineering, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, capital improvement planning, development review, customer service, utility billing, regulatory compliance, enterprise fund management, and organizational leadership. The Director provides strategic leadership for approximately 55 employees through three executive branches: Operations, Infrastructure Services, and Business Services. The current leadership structure includes the Chief of Operations, Assistant Public Utilities Director, and proposed Assistant Business Utilities Director/CFO. The Director may recommend and implement organizational changes necessary to strengthen accountability, technical performance, customer service, coordination, and succession planning across the Department. This position works closely with the County Manager, Assistant County Managers, Board of Commissioners, municipal partners, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and regional water providers to ensure reliable, financially sustainable, and customer-focused utility services that support Franklin County's continued growth.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or another closely related engineering discipline.
Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public utilities, water or wastewater systems, engineering, infrastructure management, or a closely related field.
At least five (5) years of senior supervisory, administrative, or executive leadership experience.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, complex capital programs, organizational change, risk management, and resource prioritization.
Experience with enterprise utility operations; operating and capital budgets; forecasting; rates and fees; debt and cash-flow planning; grants; financial analysis; capital improvement programs; and materials supporting executive and Board decisions.
Must possess a current Professional Engineer (PE) license in N.C. or another U.S. jurisdiction at the time of appointment and obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina within twelve (12) months of the date of hire.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.
County or municipal utility leadership experience.
Experience with regional water-supply initiatives and infrastructure planning.
Knowledge of GIS, CMMS, SCADA, and asset management software is preferred.

Responsibilities

Planning, directing, organizing, and administering all functions of the County's Public Utilities Department, including engineering, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, capital improvement planning, development review, customer service, utility billing, regulatory compliance, enterprise fund management, and organizational leadership.
Providing strategic leadership for approximately 55 employees through three executive branches: Operations, Infrastructure Services, and Business Services.
Recommending and implementing organizational changes necessary to strengthen accountability, technical performance, customer service, coordination, and succession planning across the Department.
Working closely with the County Manager, Assistant County Managers, Board of Commissioners, municipal partners, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and regional water providers to ensure reliable, financially sustainable, and customer-focused utility services that support Franklin County's continued growth.