General Manager Water Wastewater

Position Title: General Manager, Water & Wastewater
Department: Utility Operations
Reports to: Director of Utilities
Contract: Non-Union
FLSA Status: Exempt
Approved by: Director of Utilities
Approval Date: January 2, 2025

SUMMARY

The General Manager, Water & Wastewater is accountable for managing full scope of day-to-day operations for the Water & Wastewater Departments of the Utility. The General Manager Water & Wastewater must stay abreast of industry trends and technology, coaches, and mentors valued and empowered staff, builds relationships with relevant entities and governmental agencies, ensures fiscal responsibility and places a high priority on customer service throughout the organization and externally. This individual develops, implements, and oversees programs along with standardizing organizational policies and reports major activities to executive level administrators through meetings, conferences, and reports. The General Manager Water & Wastewater reports to the Director of Utilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Management

· Prepare and implement annual operating budgets in accordance with principles of prudent financial management.

· Develop and regularly monitor appropriate performance metrics, financial forecasts, and other metrics to evaluate operations and identify areas for improvement.

· Research, develop, and implement policies and practices to improve operational efficiencies, reduce costs, and fulfill client expectations.

· Responsible to prepare and implement capital needs planning, with managers to allow for budgeting for the short and long term.

· Monitor and regularly evaluate existing processes to identify areas for improvement.

· Ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations in all day-to-day operations, as well as adherence to existing policies and procedures.

· Reports or presents to the City Council on an “as needed” basis in support of on-going projects, information and updates regarding issues of joint concern throughout the daily functions of a thriving Utility Division delivering safe and clean drinking water to the City and surrounding areas. Provides for ongoing, cooperative and productive liaison with the City Commissioners, Mayor and Council, State and Federal Regulatory Agencies, Federal legislators and Department Staff.

· Perform other related duties as assigned by Director of the Utility.

· Utilize and drive performance with Teams, Cityworks and other Computerized Maintenance Management Systems.

Project Management

· Monitor and analyze project effectiveness using qualitative and quantitative tools. Ability to present the effectiveness to all levels of management.

· Conduct cost analysis, estimating expected costs for projects to help ensure proper budgeting and that cost proposals are prepared as projected.

· Prepare and implement a preventative maintenance program specially as it relates to ensuring capital assets are preserved and upgraded.

· Oversees management to select, review and approve consultants and contractors as needed to augment internal capabilities as required.

· Oversee storm support and emergency operations center.

Strategic Planning

· Develop and implement business plans that align with company goals and overall strategic vision.

· Responsible to prepare and implement capital needs planning with managers to allow for budgeting for the short and long term.

· Ensure adherence with operating budgets.

· Prepare short and long-term resource allocation plans based on input from all team members.

· Oversee management to develop, review, approve, and present three, five, and ten-year work plans and justifies the need.

Leadership and Human Resource Management

· Lead the management team and hold managers accountable for team performance.

· Motivate employees, and set appropriate individual, and team performance targets.

· Conduct performance appraisals for direct reports and provide timely and relevant feedback.

· Ensure the presence of relevant training and development opportunities to address existing gaps.

· Coach and mentor direct reports to promote professional development and drive team and company performance.

· Oversee staff hiring and participate in the interviewing process as necessary.

· Promote effective communications at all levels of the company by holding regular employee meetings and ensuring timely dissemination of relevant information.

· Promote excellent working relationship with union leadership and be proactive in addressing and resolving concerns.

· Promote a healthy and safe work environment in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Relationship Development and Management

· Monitor competitors to identify industry trends and new business opportunities.

· Identify and pursue new business opportunities.

· Liaise and develop relationships with prospective clients and vendors.

· Cultivate business relationships with existing clients.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in Water distribution and Wastewater Treatment or combinations of similar experience. PMP, PgMP, CAPM and/or comparable project management certifications highly desirable. Must maintain and possess a valid driver license. Must maintain membership in local and national work-related associations – AWWA, NEWEA, etc.

The City reserves the right to accept any combination of relevant education, experience or certifications when determining an individual’s qualifications for this position.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

· Minimum 7–10 years of progressive management experience in the industry.

· Thorough knowledge of the water and wastewater industry.

· Proven Project Management experience.

· Professional Engineer desirable but not required.

· Proven experience in budget and financial management.

· Successful track record of goal setting and achievement.

· Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate diverse teams.

· Solid understanding of coaching management techniques.

· Ability to manage in a union environment.

Personal Attributes

· Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.

· Ability to engage and motivate a diverse team of employees.

· Excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Ability to successfully manage multiple competing priorities.

· Outstanding analytical, problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

· Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

· Proven organizational and time management skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to speak and hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger; handle or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is in an office environment the majority of the time but may be required to be exposed to inclement weather. The noise level is low. The employee may be required to walk on uneven ground.

_ Incident response is an integral part of every employee’s role. As such, you will be assigned to an emergency response role for any activation of the Incident Response Plan. This may include being called to assist during a City or Utilities emergency and being assigned to perform tasks outside your normal responsibilities, hours of work, or work location. _

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $140,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Experience:

• progressive management in the industry: 7 years (Preferred)
• Water distribution and Wastewater Treatment: 7 years (Preferred)
• Project management: 7 years (Preferred)
• Budget and Financial Management: 7 years (Preferred)
• Leadership and Management: 7 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)
• CAPM or PMP (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Groton, CT 06340: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $140,000 - $150,000