This position plans and directs the administration of public utilities for the City; and perform related professional, administrative and supervisory work asrequired. The incumbent plans, organizes and implements programs within major organizational policies, reporting program progress to executive-level administration through reports and conferences.

Theworkisconsideredlight innatureandinvolveswalkingorstandingmuchofthetimeand involvesexertingupto20poundsofforceonarecurringbasis,orskill,adeptnessandspeed intheuseof fingers,handsor limbsonrepetitiveoperationof mechanicalor electronicoffice orshopmachinesortoolswithinmoderatetolerancesorlimitsofaccuracy.Theworkrequires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, fingering, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors,traffic,movingmachinery,electricalshock,heights,toxic/causticchemicals;andissafe and secure that may periodically have unpredicted requirements or demands.

Plans, organizes and directs all activities and operations of the Utilities Department functions, programs, and operations including the operation of the City’s water, wastewater, sections, and related operations, functions, and program areas; oversees the operation of the water and wastewater treatment plants, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards of safety;
Assists the City Manager and Assistant City Manager in the development and implementation of Departmental policies, goals, objectives, procedures, and priorities for each assigned service area;
Plans, organizes and directs all programs and activities associated with the construction, renovation, maintenance, administration and operation of City water and wastewater facilities and systems, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations;
Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly;
Assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes;
Supervises assigned professional, technical and support staff. Supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; allocating personnel; approving employee discipline and discharge, and recommending employee promotions, transfers, and salary increases;
Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers advice and assistance as needed;
Analyzes department schedules and workloads; makes adjustments as necessary to ensure optimum productivity and efficiency;
Provides for adequate staff training and development opportunities;
Develops and implements departmental policies and procedures;
Develops and administers assigned budgets; monitors expenditures and prepares related reports; ensures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities and time;
Provides direct assistance to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Council in matters pertaining to areas of responsibility, and regarding various special projects;
Directs and provides engineering expertise in the planning, design and project management of the construction, renovation and installation of City capital improvement projects, including water, wastewater and utility projects;
Prepares and maintains the City’s five-year capital improvement plan;
Develops and designs various solutions to engineering problems; seeks alternatives to designs and submits plans to City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and City Council for approval;
Oversees project budget preparation and the development of surveys, scopes of work, estimates, plans and specifications;
Plans and coordinates system improvements with engineers; reviews and approves construction plans;
Negotiates and administers construction and renovation contracts;
Inspects construction work in progress and at completion for compliance with established policies, procedures, regulations, codes, contracts, and standards of quality and safety;
Oversees the daily operation of plants and wells;
Plans and executes emergency utility operations and recovery plans as necessary; directs public notification efforts in crisis situations;
Prepares a variety of studies, reports and related information for decision-making purposes and as required by the City and other government agencies;
Assists in establishing customer rates;
Coordinates projects with local, state and federal agencies, as well as other City and county departments, contractors, developers, engineers, land surveyors, architects, attorneys, environmental agencies / special interest groups, and other parties as necessary;
Oversees and administers operation and compliance activities for the Columbia Canal and associated facilities. Serves as the Chief Dam Safety Coordinator or Engineer as required by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
Represents the department and City at various meetings as required; serves on committees, boards and task forces as appropriate;
Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility;
Performs general administrative work as required, including conducting and attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, reviewing mail and literature, entering and retrieving computer data, etc.;
Attends professional conferences, meetings, training, seminars, etc., as necessary to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills; and
Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or closely related field;
Ten (10) years of relevant prior experience;
Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
South Carolina P.E. registration.

Knowledge of advanced calculus using such factors as limits, real number systems, mean values; algebraic functions including very complex functions; inferential statistics and econometrics;
Ability to synthesize or integrate analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations;
Ability to negotiate, exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions;
Ability to establish policy for the acquisition, installation, testing, operation, maintenance and repair of complex machinery, equipment or systems; includes establishing specifications for the acquisition of major pieces of equipment, rolling stock, machinery and technology systems; establishing budgets for major construction repairs or new construction; determining the allocation of materials, equipment and supplies with respect to major construction projects;
Ability to perform work involving the application of principles of logical thinking or scientific practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact;
Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals; speaking to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writing manuals and complex reports;
Ability to perform advanced professional-level work methods and practices in the analysis, coordination or interpretation of work of a professional, engineering, fiscal, managerial or scientific nature and the ability for formulate important recommendations or make technical decisions that have an organization-wide impact. Requires sustained, intense concentration for accurate results and continuous exposure to sustained, unusual pressure; and
Ability to make decisions, affecting most segments of the organization and the general public; works in a highly dynamic environment; responsible for establishing goals, objectives and policies.

City of Columbia

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DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES