Are you an experienced professional with experience in the field of water and wastewater operations?

Are you a self-starter who excels at leading others in the planning and monitoring of all daily operations, maintenance, repair, and construction of pipeline systems and structures?

Does the thought of positively impacting your local community excite you?

Are you looking for a collaborative work environment that will support your goals and growth?

If so, the City of Solvang may have an opportunity for you as their next Utilities Director!

Regional Government Services and its staff are conducting the recruitment on behalf of the City of Solvang.

Under general direction of the City Manager, the Utilities Director plans, organizes, and directs the Department of Utilities which include operation and maintenance of the water, wastewater treatment plant and sewer collection system, solid waste utilities, and groundwater sustainability management as part of the Ground Water Management Area.

The Utilities Director will provide the highest quality service in the most efficient, cost-effective, and courteous manner possible and deliver high quality water to your faucet, diversify sustainable water sources, treat wastewater, and maintain environmentally responsible solid waste program.

The Ideal Candidate will:

• Be curious and intelligent with demonstrated experience successfully leading tight-knit and diverse teams.
• Have experience leading, supervising, and guiding unionized employees.
• Be adept at vendor management including issuing RFPs, selecting contractors, and ensuring work standards are met.
• Have superior management skills, including experience monitoring contractual performance and overseeing various agreements including a history of developing and monitoring complex capital and operating budgets.
• Have direct working experience in at least one of the four major areas of responsibilities: water, groundwater sustainability, wastewater, or solid waste.
• Be motivated by the opportunity for professional growth and satisfaction that comes from working in an environment ripe with challenge and possibility.
• Be an innovative and creative problem solver who is a proactive, ethical, self-motivated, adaptable, and organized leader who is comfortable working in a team-focused environment.
• Communicate in a proactive, approachable, and responsive manner, demonstrating understanding of stakeholder interests and needs and commitment to meeting them.
• Be a successful relationship builder and team player accustomed to coordinating with a variety of partners.
• Have knowledge of principles and practices of teaming and project management work models coupled with solid skills in setting performance expectations, defining deliverables, holding people accountable, and supporting effort through well-designed work processes.
• Be analytical and appropriately detail oriented and have demonstrated experience managing projects and initiatives.
• Communicate effectively in writing and prepare professional agendas, staff reports, presentations, and other documents.

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in engineering, natural science, environmental science, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in utilities systems administration, including at least two (2) years in a management or supervisory capacity.

License:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record

Desirable Qualifications:

• Possession of a Grade III and eligibility for a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is highly desirable.
• Possession of a Grade III and eligibility for a Grad IV Water Distribution Operator Certificate, a Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by the State of California Department of Public Health (DPH), and a Wastewater Collection System Maintenance Certificate issued by the California Water Environment Association are highly desirable.
• Other related water and wastewater licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment.

Annual Salary:

$149,739.00 - $182,000.00

Deadline to apply: July 7, 2024

The City of Solvang is an Equal Opportunity Employer.