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Public Utilities Director (PE)

Franklin County is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Public Utilities. Located in one of North Carolina's fastest-growing counties, Franklin County offers a unique opportunity for an experienced utility executive to lead a growing countywide water and sewer enterprise while helping shape the future of a rapidly expanding community within the Research Triangle Region.

Reporting directly to the County Manager, the Director serves as the chief executive responsible for planning, directing, organizing, and administering all functions of the County's Public Utilities Department, including engineering, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, capital improvement planning, development review, customer service, utility billing, regulatory compliance, enterprise fund management, and organizational leadership.

The Director provides strategic leadership for approximately 55 employees through three executive branches: Operations, Infrastructure Services, and Business Services. The current leadership structure includes the Chief of Operations, Assistant Public Utilities Director, and proposed Assistant Business Utilities Director/CFO. The Director may recommend and implement organizational changes necessary to strengthen accountability, technical performance, customer service, coordination, and succession planning across the Department.

This position works closely with the County Manager, Assistant County Managers, Board of Commissioners, municipal partners, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and regional water providers to ensure reliable, financially sustainable, and customer-focused utility services that support Franklin County's continued growth.

Please view the Public Utilities Director Brochure and full job description.

Public Utilities Director Brochure

Public Utilities Director_Full Job Description

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or another closely related engineering discipline; MBA preferred.

Experience: Minimum ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public utilities, water or wastewater systems, engineering, infrastructure management, or a closely related field, including at least five (5) years of senior supervisory, administrative, or executive leadership experience.

Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, complex capital programs, organizational change, risk management, and resource prioritization is required. Experience with enterprise utility operations; operating and capital budgets; forecasting; rates and fees; debt and cash-flow planning; grants; financial analysis; capital improvement programs; and materials supporting executive and Board decisions is required. County or municipal utility leadership experience and experience with regional water-supply initiatives and infrastructure planning are preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

Required: Must possess a current Professional Engineer (PE) license in N.C. or another U.S. jurisdiction at the time of appointment and obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina within twelve (12) months of the date of hire. Continued employment in the position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the required North Carolina PE license. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications & Credentials

Knowledge of GIS, CMMS, SCADA, and asset management software is preferred.

Desired Characteristics

Strategic, collaborative, innovative, approachable, ethical, customer-focused, financially astute, technically strong, politically aware, results-oriented and pragmatic. Demonstrates executive-level communication and relationship-building skills, sound judgment, vision, accountability, resilience, commitment to developing people, building a high-performing public utility organization which meet current and long-term water and wastewater needs of the County.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, a completed Franklin County application, and at least three professional references.

Open Until Filled; First review of applications at 30 Days.

Hiring Range: $140-170k (Commensurate with education and experience)

*Relocation Assistance Available

Franklin County offers a comprehensive public-sector benefits package.

Franklin County (NC)

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Public Utilities Director