Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly, as this position will remain open pending the establishment of a qualified pool of candidates.
To Apply:
Click Here to Apply for this position
Click Here to view the Recruitment Brochure
For more information on this position contact:
Doug Thomas, Executive Vice President of Recruitment & Leadership Development
Strategic Government Resources
DouglasThomas@GovernmentResource.com
863-860-9314SALARY: Negotiable (Depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience)Plans, directs, and controls the daily operations of water and wastewater treatment plants to ensure drinking water meets designated specifications and effluent water from wastewater plants meet state and federal regulations.ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Advises and consults with management regarding current and proposed activities of the Utilities Department.
- Plans, evaluates, organizes, directs, and supervises the overall activities of the Utilities Department which include administration and utility planning; Coordinates department activities with other City departments; Reviews and approves personnel documents, reports, expenditures, budgets, data generated by the various departmental divisions and applicable memos and letters.
- Formulates, recommends, and implements policies that affect the entire Utilities Department.
- Handles employees and supervisors concerns and problems, assigns work, counsels staff, and recommends disciplinary.
- Develops, administers, and updates the Water and Wastewater Capital Improvement Program.
- Meets with developers, engineers, and consulting groups to discuss ongoing and proposed projects.
- Researches on claims against department and attends court proceedings as necessary.
- Monitors activities and operations of department, implementing changes and improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Utilities Department.
- Develops, prepares, and monitors the annual operating budget of the department.
- Reviews and/or approves department expenditures and performs other duties to prevent the over expenditure of budget allocations.
- Signs various documents, monthly reports, and purchase requisitions.
- Directs staff to comply with federal, state and local regulations.
- Coordinates with management and other Departments in the reviews and approval standard specifications used in public water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
- Responsible for planning, review of design and implementation of projects performed by city staff and outside consultants.
- Oversees and/or coordinates public relations activities including consulting with the media regarding utility operations and public education opportunities.
- Participates in legislative, regulatory, and professional affiliation activities.
- Advises management on necessary acquisitions related to strategic plans
- Attends City Council meetings as required and makes necessary presentations.
- Performs on the site visits of water and wastewater facilities to assess their condition.
- Reviews private contractor reports concerning efficiency, system maintenance and quality of drinking water and effluent.
- Assists in maintaining good communication between staff, visitors and other business contacts.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Extensive knowledge of strategic planning and asset management.
- Extensive knowledge of water and wastewater production, treatment, delivery and collections systems, services and regulations.
- Extensive knowledge of hazards and safety principles and practices inherent to water and sewer utility operations.
- Knowledge of water and wastewater collection, treatment, and treatment and distribution.
- Knowledge of mechanical maintenance of equipment.
- Knowledge of inventory and personnel management.
- Knowledge in the application of basic accounting principles necessary to accomplish financial management tasks such as preparing budgets and monitoring program costs.
- Knowledge of advertising media, ad placement, development and production of collateral materials.
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws as it pertains to federal and state grants.
- Knowledge of general office procedures, practices, systems, and equipment as applied to financial operations.
Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to prepare financial reports and statements in accordance with predetermined requirements.
- Ability to plan, direct, and supervise the work of subordinates.
- Ability to deal effectively with the public.
- Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
- Ability to use computer hardware, various software programs and technologies, including word processing and spreadsheet programs.
- Ability to speak before public groups and make presentations.
- Ability to take and follow directions from immediate supervisor.
- Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain a high level of morale and command respect of staff while assigning, directing and evaluating the work.
- Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
- Ability to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees, management, other departments, public officials, the general public, and respond to general public complaints.
- Ability to apply rational systems to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where no standardization exists or only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language.
- Ability to comply and make independent decisions in accordance with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
- Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed inside and/or outside. Work may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions and outdoor elements, such as: excessive heat, humidity, and intermittent noise. Work may be exposed to a variety of environmental conditions, such as: unknown & dangerous conditions, unusual environmental stress, solvents, dirt, constant noise, pneumatic vibration, fumes, smoke, gases, and slippery/uneven walking surfaces. Capable of working closely with others, working long or irregular working hours, working shift work and/or weekends, working with protective devices, working below ground, working on ladders or scaffolding, working with hands in water, and traveling by car 15% of the time. Ability to operate a motor vehicle, office equipment, and mechanical equipment; Work requires light carrying (under 15 pounds), straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, simple grasping, dual simultaneous grasping, sitting, standing, pushing, climbing stairs, walking, and reaching above shoulders. Ability to see, write, read, count, perceive depth, and hearing is needed to perform the essential functions of this job.Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business Management or Public Administration.
- At least seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of water and wastewater systems management, civil engineering, or utilities systems regulatory requirements, of which five (5) years were in a supervisory capacity.
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Valid Texas Driver License - If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment
Preferred License or Certifications- Professional Engineer (P.E.) from the State of Texas
- Water Operator License and/or Wastewater Treatment License from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.
Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.
Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480, two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.
City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.
