Water Resources Director

THE CITY OF HIGH POINT IS CURRENTLY SEEKING A WATER RESOURCES DIRECTOR

The City of High Point is seeking a Water Resources Director to play a pivotal and strategic role in steering High Point’s water and wastewater systems toward a sustainable and innovative future. Acting as both a leader and change agent, this role requires you to:

• Set the vision: Develop and champion a forward-looking strategy that ensures safe, reliable drinking water and effective wastewater treatment
• Drive transformational change: Implement smart, sustainable practices, asset management programs, and master plans that address high-priority initiatives and evolving community needs.
• Lead with influence: Build strong relationships with city leaders, regulatory agencies, utilities partners, and the public to align water initiatives with city goals and build consensus for change.
• Foster high-performing teams: Mentor and empower staff, create a culture of continuous improvement, and lead by example to deliver operational excellence.
• Ensure compliance and accountability: Uphold rigorous standards for environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance across all programs and operations.
• High Point residency is preferred but not required.
• Relocation assistance may be considered.
• PLEASE NOTE: The salary range for this position starts at $127,129.60. Compensation will be determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

At the City of High Point, we celebrate the creator in everyone. Building on our rich cultural history steeped in industrialism and innovation, our employees seek not only to transform themselves, but the world around us. We are collaborators, we are makers, we are visionaries.

We invite you to explore the many opportunities to serve our community, by sharing your talents, skills, and expertise. You'll join a diverse team of over 1300 individuals dedicated not just to making a career, but a difference; because what we create in High Point, changes the world!

• Integrity: Saying what we mean and consistently doing what we say with no desire other than the good of the citizens we serve. It means standing up for beliefs. 
• Responsibility: A continual process that emphasizes a high level of personal accountability by each member of the organization.
• Partnership: Adding competitive value and quality to the services provided to our residents, businesses, and visitors through responsible fiscal stewardship, increased innovation, greater use of technology, and expanded civic, neighborhood and regional partnerships. 

WHAT WE OFFER

The City of High Point offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to: 

• A guaranteed monthly pension upon retirement, vested after 5 years of service 
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one 
• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans 
• PTO earned within first year
• 12 Paid Holidays per year
• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Provide executive oversight of the planning, design, operation, maintenance, and administration of the water and wastewater utilities.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term capital improvement plans and operating budgets.
• Lead a diverse team of engineers, plant operators, administrative staff, and field technicians.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies (e.g., NC DEQ, EPA) to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conducts rate studies and analysis for recommendations to governing body.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson on water resource issues to elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
• Monitor water quality, supply levels, and system reliability across all services.
• Implement sustainable and innovative water management practices, including climate resilience, green infrastructure, and water reuse initiatives.
• Manage contracts and relationships with consultants, contractors, and other governmental entities.
• Stay informed of emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and industry best practices.
• Develop responsible yet practical regulations and standards in partnership with legislative delegations and the development community.
• Participate in strategic regional water resource discussions and initiatives
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field 
• Eight (8) to Ten (10) or more years of progressive experience in water resources management and/or operations, including five (5) years in a senior leadership or management role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and North Carolina water and environmental regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in capital project management and budget development.
• Proven leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Must be highly detail oriented and project a professional demeanor. 
• Valid Driver’s License 

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of North Carolina is preferred.
• Master’s degree in engineering or equivalent field or master’s degree in public administration preferred but not required.
• Experience working in a similarly sized utility or with a regional utility authority.
• Knowledge of GIS, SCADA, and asset management and work order management systems.

Our Commitments

The City of High Point is committed to be an Equal Opportunity Employer which celebrates diversity and seeks to attract and retain the best qualified partners in service to the Citizens of the City of High Point. The City of High Point is an at-will employer and employees may be terminated or may terminate their employment at any time with or without reason for any reason not prohibited by law.

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly and equitably for the work they do, weighed with both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment to all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.

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Salary : $127,130