Manager, Utility Programs

Aquarion Water Company is the public water supply company for more than 750,000 people in 72 cities and towns throughout Connecticut, as well as serving customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It is the largest investor-owned water utility in New England and among the seven largest in the U.S. Based in Bridgeport, CT, it has been in the public water supply business since 1857. Across its operations, Aquarion strives to act as a responsible steward of the environment and to assist the communities it serves in promoting sustainable practices. Aquarion Water Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eversource.

Job Summary

The Manager of Utility Programs is responsible for leadership, management, and/or support roles in all aspects of water main planning, design and execution for the water systems in coordination with the Aquarion Management Teams in place for each of these systems as part of the overall Engineering and Planning Team. The Manager is responsible for managing and enhancing State (PURA, OCC, CTDOT, etc.) and local (CEOs, fire, police, public works, sewer authorities, etc.) external relationships related to all Aquarion waterworks projects. The Manager is responsible for identifying and meeting internal customer expectations and is responsible for managing pipeline contracts related to replacement, rehabilitation, relocations, main extensions, plant improvements and emergency work. The Manager will work with the Vice President of Engineering to ensure that proper priority is given to planned water main projects and other waterworks programs such as WICA.

Principal Responsibilities

- Work with Engineering and Planning team to develop 5-year and 1-year plans for projects that have been assigned.

- Schedule and run monthly coordination meetings with Utility Operations Staff to discuss projects, timing and coordination. This will include developing agendas, inviting appropriate staff, and preparing meeting minutes.

- Provide technical and/or operational assistance.

- Manage and direct activities relating to external affairs for various waterworks construction activities. Coordinate interactions with external entities to ensure waterworks projects are executed in a timely, efficient, and courteous manner.

- Develop and implement integrated policies and procedures to ensure compliance with local and State regulations, improve efficiency and quality of construction projects through interaction with municipalities and pipeline contract partners.

- Plan, develop and implement goals and objectives for target achievements.

- Modify and/or develop appropriate specifications, standards and details and provide input in the prioritization of projects based on information collected from internal and external information gathering efforts.

- Responsible for planning, managing and reporting on WICA program in coordination with Rates and Regulations and the Engineering and Planning team.

- Develop plan for long term and short-term infrastructure improvements, develop master plans and capital improvement plans and review system expansion and replacement plans.

Additional Responsibilities

- Pipeline Consultants and Contractors

- Participate in the selection of consultants for the design of improvements and review possible addition of water main contractors to the approved list for bidding.

- Manage KPI’s (Key Performance Indicators) for pipeline contractors.

- Develop and implement integrated policies and procedures to ensure contractors adhere to specifications, improve tracking of expenses on all projects, approve invoices and related expenses, and make recommendations for approval.

- Review unit cost performance and make recommendations for improvement on an annual basis during the 1st quarter.

- Review design drawings, specifications and processes related to waterworks.

- Participate in regular meetings (monthly, quarterly) with pipeline contractors to review performance metrics, identify and address issues, implement corrective actions, and address Construction Safety.

- Work with Purchasing Department in developing associated contract bids to address efficiencies and reduce costs.

- Paving Program

- Coordinate all municipal and state annual paving programs. Annually coordinate with all municipalities and State DOT to prepare a listing of current year and future anticipated paving projects. This work will be completed in combination with the GIS staff.

- Coordinate external paving programs schedules (local and State) and the appropriate maintenance programs with pipeline contract partners to ensure waterworks assets are properly accessible and in working order (e.g. gate valves).

- Monitor and approve invoices associated with water main and paving projects.

- Coordinate the preparation and processing of any local, federal and State documents (e.g. Conn 40) to ensure reimbursements are maximized for Federal and State reimbursable projects.

- Work closely with Utility Operations to modify and execute a process/program to address waterworks (e.g. gate boxes, manholes, etc.) that are paved over.

- Coordinate with Engineering & Planning staff to identify paving projects that may be incorporated in the main replacement program.

- Inspectors

- Oversee selection and management of pipeline inspectors.

- Develop metrics for objectively measuring performance of inspectors.

- Fire Departments

- Perform liaison activities with fire departments to coordinate emergency response and communicate rate increases and other issues.

- Coordinate regular meetings (e.g. monthly, semi-annual, annual) with fire departments to address issues related to fire flow, hydrant maintenance, in-foot charges, etc. Use meetings to identify program issues and develop and implement solutions.

- Develop and implement a process with fire departments to document and track hydrant use for firefighting purposes to more accurately track water use.

- Review data with fire departments for non-metered water use from hydrants for filling tankers or performing maintenance. Research and develop potential metered solutions.

- Utilize SAP to implement solutions and monitor progress via measurements.

- Sewer Projects

- Perform liaison activities with sewer departments to identify and resolve issues that may arise.

- Coordinate with local municipalities to identify planned large sewer projects to address line locating issues, facility damage and payment.

- Process Review

- Responsible for overall waterworks installation and documentation process review.

- Responsible for administration and review of KPI process.

Preferred Requirements

- Seven to ten years of experience in utility industry or equivalent experience. Professional Engineering License preferred. Must have experience in waterworks construction, contracts, and cost estimating for underground pipeline installations as well as working knowledge of water utility distribution system hydraulics.

- Must have familiarity with applicable regulations from the CT, MA and NH including State PUC’s, environmental, health and local agencies in the Aquarion service areas.

- Must be self-motivated and proactive.

- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with ability to make sound decisions.

- Experience and ability to manage staff and collaborate effectively with associates, regulators, public officials, and senior management.

- Excellent computer skills with experience with Microsoft Products (Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, TEAMS) and SAP.

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Education/Certifications

- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, chemistry, environmental science, or related field required.

- Master's degree in related field preferred but not required.

- Valid driver’s license and safe driving record required.

Salary

- Job is classified as an exempt position with a salary range of $115,000 to $130,000.

- This role reports out of the Bridgeport, CT office with occasional travel to job sites.

- Hours for this role are 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

- After 3 months of successful employment, this role will be eligible for a hybrid schedule (3 days office/2 days remote).

Aquarion Water Company is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.