Utilities Director

City of Dade CityDade City, FL
Onsite

About The Position

The role of Utilities Director is a highly technical, supervisory position performing administrative work directing the City’s public utility programs. This role is responsible for the oversight and management of the Water and Wastewater divisions to ensure that the water and wastewater facilities and systems are operated and maintained efficiently and in accordance with federal, state, and local standards and regulations, and in a manner which protects and preserves the surrounding environment and public health. Considerable independent judgment and initiative are required in performing assigned tasks and considerable tact and courtesy are required when interacting with employees, other department directors, city officials, and the public. Strong project management and supervisory skills are critical for this position. Normally scheduled work hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with attendance at day/evening board/committee meetings as required. This position requires work beyond normal business hours including evenings and weekend and responding to customer needs. This is a mission critical position: Essential employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The City Manager makes the determination of who will be required to work in times of emergency.

Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution, required.
  • Five to ten years of progressively responsible experience in public utilities, project management and operations; required.
  • Three to five years in a leadership or supervisory role; required.
  • Experience in the maintenance, repair, and operation of a water and wastewater utility system; required.
  • Valid Florida driver’s license; required.
  • Class “C” water certification and Class “B” wastewater certification; required.
  • Obtains the National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-700 within 30 days of employment and the ICS-100 and ICS-200 within 90 days of employment.
  • Knowledge of all phases of managing water production, storage treatment, and transmission; and wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal to include expansion of systems, permitting, repair, maintenance, and operations.
  • Knowledge of state and federal regulatory standards and rules and regulations pertaining to permitting, operating, and maintaining water and wastewater facilities.
  • Knowledge of the principles and practices of maintenance, construction, and repair as applied to public utilities.
  • Knowledge of City comprehensive plans, development, and administration.
  • Knowledge of administrative practices and procedures.
  • Skilled in management techniques, budgeting, and technical knowledge to work with contractors, planners and engineers.
  • Ability to read, understand, and comprehend complex engineering drawings, plans, and specifications.
  • Managerial skills with the abilities to supervise multiple employees effectively encourage professional growth, maintain a healthy work environment, as well as preventing and resolving conflicts are essential for this position.
  • Ability to formulate comprehensive operational policies and procedures, draft ordinances and regulations, and prepare technical reports.
  • Ability to assess long range City development requirements and formulate proposals or alternatives and prepare written reports communicating such.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with government officials, city employees, department heads, contractors, and the general public.
  • Ability to accurately prepare, report, and make presentations to City Commission.
  • Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to identify equipment and personnel issues and to implement appropriate corrective action quickly and efficiently.
  • Driving and the operation of a City vehicle is a requirement.

Nice To Haves

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution majoring in Civil Engineering, Sanitary or Environmental Engineering, Business or Public Administration, or a related field; highly preferred.
  • Experience in the public sector; preferred.
  • There may be additional NIMS required, which would be scheduled at that time.

Responsibilities

  • Plans, assigns, coordinates, directs, and oversees the management and operation of the diverse and specialized operations of the Public Utilities department.
  • Conduct studies and oversees the implementation of mandated environmental reports such as water audits, leak detection surveys, backflow cross/connection plan, and water quality reports.
  • Prepares and coordinates the permitting and re-permitting of water and wastewater facilities.
  • Ensures compliance with all permit conditions.
  • Formulates general operating policies with respect to all phases of public utilities.
  • Develops, recommends, implements, and updates standard operating procedures to economize operations in the repair and maintenance of facilities while increasing productivity.
  • Directs the preparation of agenda items, attends meetings and workshops, and presents agenda items to the City Commission when appropriate.
  • Participates in the review of major development and construction plans from a Utilities perspective, making recommendations as appropriate.
  • Oversees, analyzes, and evaluates the City’s capital improvement projects and provides project management for construction projects.
  • Prepare requests for proposals and participate in the selection of contractors for services.
  • Coordinates and manages the technical bid process for projects involving public utilities including the preparation, reviewing, and processing of a bid proposal, as well as attends and participates in the bid openings, evaluating bids and providing recommendations as necessary.
  • Advises and oversees personnel actions of the department including selecting new employees, recommending transfers and promotions, acting on employee problems and disciplinary actions, terminations, performance evaluations, and salary allocations.
  • Directs the development, administration, and review of the departmental budget while exercising control over expenditures including new personnel, materials, and equipment.
  • Oversees and manages department personnel to ensure that all water and wastewater facilities are operated, repaired, and maintained efficiently and effectively while maintaining compliance with all federal and state standards, permit conditions, and City rules and regulations.
  • Analyzes and designs departmental work processes, operations, and construction project approaches to continuously address effective and efficient service delivery.
  • Participates in grant application programs and directs administration of the permitting process and related regulations through the Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District, and other related agencies pertaining to public utilities.
  • Responds to emergencies and critical incidents, taking responsibility for assessing the situation, determining appropriate resolutions, and implementing necessary mitigation measures in compliance with applicable regulatory and safety standards.
  • Any additional duties as assigned by the City Manager.

Benefits

  • ADA STATEMENT A qualified employee or applicant with a disability may be afforded reasonable accommodation to perform the essential job functions of a position in compliance with American Disabilities Act.
  • DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE The City of Dade City is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.
  • EEO Statement "The City of Dade City is an Equal Opportunity Employer."
  • In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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