Utility Site & Process Control Manager

City of Kent, Washington•Manchester, NH

About The Position

Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike! The City of Kent is accepting applications for Utility Site and Process Control Manager to lead the operations and maintenance of our water system. In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee water system supply, treatment, and distribution; manage critical infrastructure; and serve as the city water system’s primary representative to the Washington State Department of Health. This position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact by planning for future water needs, managing capital improvement projects, and guiding a dedicated team to deliver exceptional service. If people-first leadership is your calling, and your expertise and credentials detail a hands-on, skilled water treatment professional who has a solid understanding of the intricacies of pump stations and regulatory compliance and reporting, then you are who we are waiting for. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor's degree in business administration, environmental or water technology, civil engineering, or a related field, along with six (6) years of increasingly responsible relevant work experience. One (1) year of managerial experience and two (2) years of supervisory experience are also required. This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. A cover letter and resume are required with your online application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. Please note that you cannot attach documents to your application after it has been submitted. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your online application, please call our office at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you. The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for March 5. Those applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the interview process. SALARY: $9,979.00- $12,158.00 monthly, depending on qualifications For a listing of benefits, please use the following link: Employee Benefits | City of Kent (kentwa.gov) GENERAL PURPOSE: Under the direction of the Deputy Director, or designee, the incumbent is one of the certified operators in responsible charge for the city’s water system and is responsible for managing, supervising, planning, and directing the operations and maintenance activities at City-owned utility facilities. Facilities include water sources, treatment/filtration plants, storage reservoirs, lift and pump stations (water, sanitary sewer, and drainage), radios, communication sites, and SCADA systems. The incumbent in this position works closely with the Water/Sewer and Storm Drainage Managers. Serves as a primary representative to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) on behalf of the city’s water system. Work is characterized by a substantial volume of managerial, supervisory, and administrative functions. The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, planning, directing, coordinating, communicating, and evaluating the programs and activities in the construction, maintenance, and operations of the Section; short- and long-range planning for infrastructure improvements; budgeting and managing capital improvement projects for assigned area; developing goals and objectives of annual business plans. The incumbent is also responsible for annual budget preparation and expenditure tracking and preparing and establishing level of service (LOS) and costs of services provided by the Section. Work is performed under managerial direction. The supervisor provides the incumbent with assignments in terms of broad practices, precedents, policies, and goals. Work is performed independently; incumbent makes decisions regarding the methods of improving work practices and staff efficiency, while improving the reliability and quality of services provided by the Section staff. Work may be reviewed for fulfillment of program objectives and conformance with departmental policy, practices and/or objectives.

Requirements

HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF: Modern management and supervisory principles and practices Water system supply, treatment/filtration, and storage and distribution techniques Sewer and storm lift station operation and maintenance; pumps and pumping system and controls Development and administration of operating and maintenance budget City organization, operations, policies, and objectives Principles and practices of administration, supervision, and training Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary as it pertains to the job Computer software usage, including radio, telemetry and maintenance management programs Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures Technical aspects of field of specialty Record-keeping techniques Health and safety regulations, including Workmen’s Compensation Program and commercial drivers license requirements Work hazards and related safety techniques Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy Modern research and analytical methods and practices Principles and practices of governmental budgeting, cost accounting, and purchasing Methods, principles, and practices of effective conflict resolution
BE SKILLED IN: Managing the maintenance, repair, and operations of the water supply, treatment, storage, and sewer and storm lift stations Applying principles and practices of training, supervising, and motivating staff including, but not limited to, hiring, directing, evaluating, awarding, and disciplining staff Using interpersonal skills effectively with tact, patience, and courtesy Creating and maintaining an inclusive team atmosphere Methods, principles, and practices of effective conflict resolution Communicating effectively both orally and in writing Analyzing complex and technical maintenance and financial documents
HAVE THE ABILITY TO: Manage water supply, treatment, radio, SCADA and sewer and storm lift station activities Use electronic spreadsheets to prepare budget analysis; word processing for correspondence and reports; database for data management Develop and implement the Section budget Maintain records and prepare reports Read, interpret, apply, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action Work from blueprints, shop drawings, and sketches Use interpersonal skills with tact, patience, and courtesy in the daily operation of the Water Section Respond to common inquiries or complaints for personnel, regulatory agencies, or the public Compose, proofread, and edit general correspondence, routine reports, contracts, specifications, grievance responses, section policies and procedures, etc. Maintain and prepare reports Read, analyze, interpret, and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures Work independently to meet schedules and timelines and project cost controls Plan and organize work for oneself as well as for staff Train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate personnel within a Union organized environment Plan for improvements and development of new infrastructure
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Environmental or Water Technology, Civil Engineering, or related field, with specialized course work or training in drinking water systems and water treatment; and Experience: Six (6) years of increasingly responsible experience in drinking water supply, treatment, SCADA, sewer or storm lift station, operations and maintenance, 1 year of managerial experience and two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License; and must maintain an excellent driving record
Valid Washington State Department of Health (DOH) Water Distribution Manager 4 Certification, or ability to obtain within six (6) months
Valid DOH Water Treatment Plant Operator 2 Certification, or ability to obtain within (6) months
Valid DOH Cross Connection Control Specialist Certification
Valid First Aid and CPR certification, or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment
Must successfully pass a position specific background inquiry

Responsibilities

Assist the Deputy Director to oversee the development, revision, implementation, and enforcement of the Division’s policies, goals, objectives, priorities, procedures, practices, and standards; provide leadership and managerial direction to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct activities involving city-owned water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and radio facilities to assure efficient and effective operation of Section.
Select, supervise, develop, mentor, and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel; coach and/or discipline personnel as appropriate; review and plan for training needs and staffing requirements; approve and coordinate leave requests; interview and hire new employees; recommend promotions and terminations in order to meet the objectives of the Section.
Co-manage Kent’s water rights, water supply and treatment operations to ensure compliance with Washington Water law, principles, and practices to protect the validity of Kent’s water rights. Plan for and develop new sources of water supply and associated water rights to meet growth and fire protection requirements and reliability standards.
Communicate with the Department of Health as a representative for the city’s water system; determine and implement remedial actions for the city’s system in emergencies; review, research and follow directives issued by the Department of Health regarding the city’s water system.
Plan, implement, and manage the data and record keeping systems necessary to meet regulatory agency requirements for the life of the water system, as well as the data and monitoring information necessary for wellhead protection, planning for water supply needs, and historical information for infrastructure operation and maintenance.
Communicate and coordinate with Section Managers and/or Field Supervisors to organize weekly, seasonal, and annual work schedules; plan and schedule work projects according to established plans and procedures; provide and discuss Division/Section priorities with subordinate Field Supervisors and staff.
Establish, review, and recommend division policies regarding work methods and safety procedures; periodically inspect work sites to ensure that correct, efficient, and safe work procedures are followed.
Investigate incidents and accidents, review claims and disputes, recommend corrective action, and ensure that such action is satisfactorily completed.
Responsible for enhancing employee performance through establishing and communicating clear expectations and evaluating performance in a fair and professional manner; creating a positive learning environment by identifying the needs of individual employees and developing skills through training, coaching, and mentoring; establish work performance standards, goals and objectives, and review and resolve Section grievances as appropriate.
Consult with engineers, inspectors, consulting firms, contractors, and other internal and external agencies pertaining to Section planning, construction, and related projects; review construction plans and specifications; provide technical expertise as needed; and ensure that they meet the guidelines and requirements of the Department of Health, AWWA/APWA, and other standards.
Communicate and coordinate with other divisions and city departments to ensure that work does not disrupt or adversely affect other areas of City service, especially such areas as fire suppression.
Communicate with citizens and citizen groups, the media, elected officials, associations, committees, and government regulatory agencies in public forums, public and private meetings, gatherings, and presentations in order to present the views and policies of the City and the Section.
Attend staff, Engineering, pre-construction, pre-development, planning, City committee, and council meetings as needed.
Coordinate, develop, present, and monitor the Section budget; oversee research and analysis of programs, expenditures, and costs; evaluate information and recommend alternative courses of action to assure conformance with budget limitations and established fiscal policies; prepare and submit annual budget to the Deputy Director for approval; conduct periodic reviews of the operating and capital improvement budget status.
Oversee performance standards and direct necessary adjustments as required.
Actively support the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.
Perform related duties as assigned.