Assistant Director of Utilities

Department: Utilities Administration

Reports to: Director of Utilities

Summary: Under general supervision, manages the personnel, facilities, and equipment for the operation and maintenance of the City's water and wastewater treatment plants; checks the stormwater permit and emergency response programs for compliance with state and federal standards; monitors operations and budgets, and develops policy and procedures revisions.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages staff; plans, prioritizes, and assigns tasks and projects; instructs and trains staff, monitors work and develops staff skills; evaluates performance, and assures compliance with quality and safety standards; analyzes workload trends, and develops plans for staffing and assignment adjustments.
• Manages Water Distribution/Wastewater Collection (W/WW) infrastructure maintenance, customer service programs, and support operations; develops and implements policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.
• Monitors Field Services work activities to identify and resolve W/WW problems and maintenance requirements; assures that Field Services Division operations comply with state and federal laws, regulations, and safety standards, and City policies and procedures.
• Monitors Treatment Plants' work activities to identify and resolve W/WW problems and maintenance requirements; assures that operations are in compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and safety standards, and City policies and procedures.
• Coordinates Treatment Plants' operations, staffing, and maintenance procedures; meets with supervisors to define and resolve problems; coordinates assignments and equipment allocation; evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of operational methods and procedures and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Monitors operations: reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures to assure quality work results and effective use of resources; develops plans, priorities, and resource allocations for infrastructure maintenance, support, development, and repair issues.
• Manages and coordinates Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and new development improvements with City departments, developers, and contractors.
• Provides leadership to ensure that projects are completed in alignment with Utilities Department priorities, goals, and objectives; evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of operational methods and procedures and identifies opportunities for improvement.
• Assures effective communication of W/WW issues; interprets and explains federal and state rules and regulations; investigates and resolves complaints and customer service issues.
• Manages the collection, analysis, and reporting of operational and administrative data; maintains records and prepares mandated reports for regulatory agencies, and status reports on Field Services operations.
• Develops and monitors Utilities Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) operations; monitors and approves expenditures; manages the purchase of equipment and materials and assures that inventory is sufficient to meet operational demands.
• Develops and monitors operational budgets; monitors and approves expenditures; manages the purchase of equipment, tools, and materials and assures that inventory is sufficient to meet operational demands.
• Supports the divisional operations with regular and timely attendance.
• Must have and maintain a cell phone for City use to hold this position.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Odessa and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.
• Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering preferred AND five years' experience in water utilities management, and project management in the public sector.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• State and Federal regulations governing municipal utilities, and the treatment and transmission of W/WW, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules and standards.
• TCEQ quality regulations, inspection protocols, best practices, and compliance standards.
• Principles and practices of maintenance and repair for W/WW facilities and equipment.
• Principles of design, construction, and maintenance of W/WW projects.
• Principles and practices of administrative management, including personnel rules, cost accounting, budgeting, procurement, contract management, project management, and employee supervision.
• Proper use and storage of chemicals, including OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.
• Principles of Information Technology, including Geographic Information Systems.
• Using initiative and analyzing operational issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing logical recommendations based on findings.
• Evaluating and monitoring data to identify trends and verify compliance with state and federal standards.
• Analyzing infrastructure, construction, and engineering issues, evaluating alternatives, and developing logical recommendations based on findings.
• Preparing analytical reports and interpreting test results.
• Developing and documenting analytical procedures and methods.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines
• Interpret and apply technical standards and procedures, federal and state rules and regulations, and city policies and procedures.
• Developing and implementing procedures for cost-effective management of allocated resources.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with city employees, officials, and representatives from other local, state, and federal agencies.
• Supervising and leading staff and delegating tasks and authority.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business and technical software.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

License and certification requirements: A valid Texas State Driver's License is required. Class B Water and Wastewater III licenses from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) are required within 1 year of employment. Class A licenses are preferred. Registration as a Professional Engineer by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers is preferred.

Physical demands and working environments: Work is performed in a hybrid setting in a standard office environment and out in the field as needed.

Salary : $85,727 - $115,996