POSITION SUMMARY:
An employee in this position performs difficult management and administrative work planning, organizing, and directing financial and personnel functions within Harnett Regional Water. Work includes: supervising engineering services, right of way management, electrical/pump maintenance, parts/materials inventory control, distribution and collection system construction and maintenance; managing a capital and operating budget along with budget development and administration; overseeing administration of capital projects; and acting in the absence of the Director.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Provides management guidance, planning and direction for several divisions of Harnett Regional Water including distribution and collection systems, engineering services, electrical and mechanical maintenance, parts and materials inventory control and other functions.
• Performs personnel management for the Department including coordination of and participation in recruitment and selection of staff, personnel policy administration, coordination of salary administration and performance management and problem-solving on employee relations and issues.
• Negotiates with vendors to obtain materials and supplies at rates most beneficial to County, and prepares purchase orders; oversees or administers receipt storage and distribution of supplies and materials, ensuring maintenance of proper inventories and inventory records.
• Reviews state and federal legislation, public policy proposals, actions of various regulatory bodies, attorney generals' opinions, court opinions, etc., pertaining to administration and operations of public utilities programs, and prepares or modifies policies and procedures to ensure Department's adherence to applicable requirements.
• Manages a capital and operating budget along with budget development and administration.
• Assigns, directs, and supervises activities of the Department’s customer service programs.
• Must be able to drive and operate a vehicle to travel as needed.
• Reviews and maintains files of various contracts, inter?governmental compacts and other agreements binding upon Department and ensues adherence of policies, procedures, programs, operations, etc.
• Receives and investigates complaints, inquiries and/or suggestions pertaining to conduct of Department personnel, programs, policies, procedures, etc., interviewing various parties and reviewing available records, and preparing verbal and/or written responses and recommendations for affected parties, as appropriate; prepares reports for Director, as requested or otherwise deemed appropriate.
• Attends meetings of various local, state, regional and/or national committees, associations, task forces, etc., as appropriate, as representative of Department and/or County, providing input-based observations and expertise, and participating in activities of such groups as appropriate.
• Assumes duties and responsibilities of the HRW Director and/or division heads in their absence, ensuring adherence to established policies, procedures and standards.
• Compiles or prepares information for inclusion in agenda packets for meetings of Department's advisory board; records actions of advisory board meetings and prepares meeting minutes.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, civil engineering, or a related field;
• Seven (7) years of work experience in administration of government public service programs, preferably involving public utilities or public works programs;
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.

 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of the policies and procedures, organization, and functions of the Department. 
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, laws, regulations, and construction requirements of the water distribution and sewer collections systems.
• Knowledge of utilities system advanced meter infrastructure (AMI), customer service and billing policies, procedures, and regulations. 
• Knowledge of standard accepted principles and practices of budgeting and accounting. 
• Knowledge of federal/ state/local laws, rules, and regulations governing personnel administration. 
• Knowledge of state and federal law and pending legislation along with public policy directives pertaining to the operations, authorities, responsibilities, and administration of the HRW programs. 
• Knowledge of County policies and procedures for budget preparation and administration, purchasing, and personnel administration.
• Knowledge of the financing sources and programs available through private, state, and federal funding agencies and of the requirements and standards for obtaining and retaining funding 
• Knowledge of principles and practices of inventory control. 
• Knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration including motivation, communications, collaborative conflict resolution, leadership, and performance coaching and evaluation. 
• Knowledge of ethical guidelines applicable to the position as outlined by professional standards.
• Knowledge of the current literature, trends, and developments in the field of public utilities operations and administration.
• Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work of the Department.
• Skill in effectively expressing technical ideas, orally and in writing.
• Skill in resolving conflicts.
• Skill in developing and delivering presentations.
• Skill in delivering customer service.
• Skill in applying judgement in making decisions.
• Skill in administering utilities.
• Ability to use common office machines, including popular computer driven word processing spreadsheet and maintenance programs. 
• Ability to provide leadership and to supervise the planning, development, and establishment of new, modified, and/or improved programs, services, and activities. 
• Ability to organize and conduct research and planning studies.
• Ability to interpret policy and procedural guidelines.
• Ability to resolve problems.
• Ability to address questions. 
• Ability to prepare financial and other related reports. 
• Ability to exercise tact courtesy and firmness in frequent contact with customers and the general public.
• Ability to manage a large staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to perform light work frequently exerting up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects; and occasionally requiring to exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels sounds, using mental acuity, speaking, expressing ideas by the spoken word, and walking. An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to work with data and figures, to handle an accounting process, to operate a computer, and to read extensively.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee primarily works in an office setting.