Water Utilities Director

Town of Signal Mountain Position Description

Title: Water Utilities Director Department: Water

Pay Grade 14

Purpose:

Employee directs the operation of the town’s water utility to provide citizens adequate quantities of safe, clean water. Directs the maintenance, improvement and repair of system infrastructure. Directs and supervises utility staff. This position is under the supervision of the Town Manager.

Fair Labor Standards Act Service:

Exempt. (Salary)

Essential Functions of the Job:

Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks, which are also performed but are not incidental to the primary functions. The omissions of specific statements of duties do not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position, nor does every position allocated to the job necessarily perform every duty listed.

Operate the Water Department; supervise personnel; plan and schedule work; set objectives; set and conduct training on work standards and procedures; train, counsel, discipline, review work; appraise performance, approve time-off and overtime.

Monitor administrative practices and procedures and recommend changes which increase the efficiency and economy of system operations.

Ongoing long-range planning through regular system evaluation to determine the need for, as well as the nature and timing of, necessary improvements, repairs and/or expansions within the system.

Create, update and/or revise comprehensive operations manuals, guidelines and SOPs.

Write a comprehensive job description for any new position or change in an existing position to submit to Town Manager for review and/or recommendation to the Town Council for approval.

Keep records, design special studies, surveys, investigations, and reports relating to water system operations, including problems and proposed solutions, deal with a variety of customer complaints, questions, and requests.

Consult with engineers on departmental projects; consult and work with contractors to resolve water issues and problems; develop specifications and manage bid processes; review and manage contracts.

Keep abreast of all pertinent local, federal and state rules, regulations and trends; attend schools and classes as required.

Maintain the operation of pump equipment and perform regular checks; read main meter for state reports.

Ensure the water system operates within guidelines and at peak efficiency.

Prepare and submit the annual departmental budget. Responsible for budget management and expenditures.

Ensure the effective and efficient operation of AMI/AMR and SCADA systems. Perform duties of subordinates in their absence; other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Abilities:

Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, including occupational hazards and safety precautions especially those related to water systems.

Knowledge of and experience with AMI/AMR and SCADA systems.

Knowledge of the town’s water system, principles of construction, maintenance, and rehabilitations of pipe systems.

Ability to keep detailed records, prepare reports, plan, organize, direct employees, and manage an extensive variety of functions using principles and practices of effective management and supervision.

Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public, employees, contractors and others.

Equipment:

Variety of transportation and construction equipment, including but not limited to, pickup truck, backhoe, dozer, pavement rollers, dump truck, concrete mixer, jackhammer, power tools, hand tools, water pumping equipment and meters. Computer, including billing and records management software and various other office equipment.

Educational Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Civil or Mechanical Engineering or closely related field gained through four-year college/university academic program or any combination of training, education, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge and ability.

Experience Required:

Minimum of Grade I Distribution License/Certification; Driver’s license valid in the State of Tennessee.

Three years of experience as a water utility administrator, assistant administrator or senior supervisor

Other desired areas of training and experience include: Grade II Distribution License/Certification Cross Connection Program Administration Bacteriological Sampling and Compliance Trench Excavation Safety

TOSHA Safety Standards

Problem Solving Requirements:

Solve a variety of problems in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Writing Skills Required:

Compose moderately complex documentation of a routine nature, i.e., documenting complex studies or summarizing annual department results.

Speaking/Presentation Skills Required:

Interview or discuss detailed information, frequently involving customer/citizen problems or complaints.

Negotiate with individuals outside the organization in sensitive and complex situations.

Job Related Communication:

Within the department – daily

With employees in other departments – daily With employees in other organizations – daily With the public – daily

Planning and Scheduling:

Significant – a relatively large part of the job is planning and scheduling activities for others and self.

Difficulty of Work:

Work involves moderately complex, relatively standardized tasks, processes, and operations following established laws and procedures.

Assignment of Work:

General direction in following established practices and standardized policies.

Effects of Work Errors:

Errors may cause delay in work or loss of expenditures for material, equipment and unjustified work time.

Supervisory or Management Responsibilities:

Manages an operation with one supervisory employee and five non-supervisory employees.

Working Conditions:

On average 30 percent standing, 30 percent walking and 40 percent sitting. Approximately 60 lbs. or more may be required lifting.

Lifting frequency – some Bending – some

Pushing and/or pulling loads – some Reaching over head – some Kneeling – some

Crawling – some Climbing ladders – some

Mental/Visual Effort:

Typing/CRT – frequent

Attention to detail – very frequent Monitoring equipment – very frequent Detailed inspection – frequent Transcription/proofreading – frequent

Adverse Conditions:

Exposure to temperature extremes – frequent Dangerous equipment – frequent

Chemicals – some Noise – frequent

Physical effort/risk – frequent

Other – High places and high-water pressure

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

Schedule:

•

Day shift

Work Location: In person