Northern Wasco County PUD in partnership with Q-Life is seeking a qualified, driven and dynamic individual to serve our community members as the Q-Life Executive Director.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

City of The Dalles, Wasco County and Northern Wasco County People’s Utility District have reformed QualityLife Intergovernmental Agency (Q-Life) for The Dalles and surrounding communities in, or near, Wasco County, Oregon. The vision for Q-Life is that “every address in Wasco County can enjoy a higher quality of life and participate in education, healthcare, and the economy through a high-speed internet connection at a price point they can afford.”

The Executive Director is responsible for oversight of the day-to-day activities, contractors, and affairs of Q-Life. Reporting directly to the Q-Life Board of Directors, the Executive Director is responsible for all aspects of the organization.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package including but not limited to:

• Generous PTO Accruals
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 85% employer paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage
• 100% employer paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage
• 100% employer paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary
• 401(k) 5% base 7% match = 12% total possible employer contribution
• 457(b) 
• 100% Employer paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability
• HRA VEBA
• Business Travel Insurance
• Voluntary benefits

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain regular communications with key stakeholders of Q-Life through Board meetings, conference calls, weekly reports, and individual contacts as needed.
• Oversee the financial affairs of the organization including budget preparation, monitoring, and reporting on financial performance, authorizing expenses, and preparing financial statements.
• Identify and seek funding resources to support network expansion.
• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive broadband strategy, aligned with community needs and technological advancements.
• Oversee the daily operations of the broadband network, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and security.
• Manage a team of professionals, staff and/or contractors, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and potential partners.
• Advocate for policies and regulations that promote affordable and accessible broadband for all.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and technological advancements, identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement.
• Provide exceptional customer service and address customer concerns promptly and effectively.
• Develop and implement marketing, outreach and community engagement initiatives to promote broadband adoption and usage.
• Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.
• Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.
• Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.
• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions:

• All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities: PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job.

• Possess leadership skills and proven track record of ability to positively influence culture, business strategy, and business outcomes.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Working knowledge of rules and regulations impacting local government operations, telecommunications provision, and applicable state and federal funding programs
• Proficiency with standard operating systems and office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrated organizational skills with proven ability to be detail oriented, prioritize workloads, multi-task, and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and establish and maintain effective working relationships and good public relations with other employees, agencies, and the public, including individuals from diverse backgrounds or cultures.
• Principles and practices of human resources and personnel administration including recruitment, selection, classification, compensation, training, labor relations, and benefit administration, and demonstrated understanding of employment and labor laws
• Effectively interpret and explain personnel and related laws, policies and programs to employees, agencies, and the public.

Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight:

• Supervises employees, and contractors of Q-Life

QUALIFICATIONS: Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.

Education/Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in economics, finance, engineering, communications, political science, business management, or other field related to the broadband telecommunication industry, and five years or more of directly related experience.
• Senior level experience work with contractors, agency representatives, and/or elected officials.
• Two (2) or more years supervising employees and/or contractors engaged in high level projects and evaluating their performance.
• Experience negotiating difficult or rapidly evolving issues that may involve a variety of key stakeholders.
• Experience exercising financial oversight and controls over an industry related organization.
• Experience identifying and prioritizing key issues for an organization, overseeing the preparation of materials, leading meetings with key stakeholders, and achieving results the organization values.
• Demonstrated track record of maintaining a constructive and collaborative relationship with key stakeholders, peers, staff, and other related parties.

Preferred:

• Recent experience in broadband telecommunications
• Experience overseeing and/or facilitating grant writing, implementation and management.
• Familiarity with broadband systems and underlying principles of broadband communication processes

Mental or Visual Demand: Continuous mental and/or visual attention; the work is either repetitive or diversified requiring

constant alertness to monitor the production process and/or identify defects.

Working Conditions:

The job is typically performed under very comfortable working conditions; any disagreeable

elements are generally absent during normal performance of job.

Physical Demands: Sitting, standing, walking, keyboarding, talking, hearing, pushing up to 50lbs, lifting, pulling, and carrying up to 25lbs. Physical demands are those associated with normal inside office duties.

This organization believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not to limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Northern Wasco County PUD reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

**Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer