Water and Sewer, Chief of Operations

CITY OF NEW BRITAIN CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Announces An Open Competitive Examination For

Job Title: Water and Sewer, Chief of Operations

Salary Range: $152,000 to $165,000 annually

Direct Reports (Y/N): Yes

Department: Public Works

Closing Date: June 1, 2024 at 4:00 PM

(TO CREATE AN EMPLOYMENT LIST)

This position is not represented by a Union

JOB SUMMARY: This position involves a high-level management position in charge of the City’s water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities, and related engineering and administrative functions, and has the following core duties:

• Responsible managing and overseeing all aspects of the City’s water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utilities.
• Responsible for providing the City with an adequate supply of water through the proper design, maintenance, and operation of City watershed properties, reservoirs, aquifers, distribution system, pump stations, and filtration plants.
• Responsible that water delivered to consumers is, as a minimum, acceptable under local, State and Federal standards for water.
• Responsible for compliance with applicable state and federal regulations that pertain to the City’s water, sanitary sewer, and storm water utilities.
• Responsible for developing, recommending, and implementing long-term and short-term plans, programs, and projects that help assure the City of a continuing supply of water, and optimum performance of the City’s utilities.
• Manages and supervises water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Position works independently, but works in coordination, and may receive direction from, the Director of Public Works, or a designated supervisor. Work is carried out with considerable independence and judgment to reach desired results. Reports and tracks work accomplished. Also receives general direction from the Board of Water Commissioners on policy matters and by the Mayor for day-to-day administration.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Provides consistent, ethical, professional direction and control to assigned employees, contractors, and consultants along with functions in the organization. Strives for high quality, productive work products and recognizes and documents exceptions. Understands and demonstrates by example the critical nature of services provided and its impact on the community.

EXAMPLE OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES/KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge and expertise in public administration principles and practices as applied to operation of water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer utilities.
• Considerable expertise as an administrator and supervisor, and high-level ability to communicate orally and in writing and to lead others.
• Considerable ability to administer policies and procedures including goals, objectives, planning, financial management, decision-making, and report development and writing.
• Thorough ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Board members, coworkers, vendors, contractors, consultants, other governmental agencies, customers, and the general public.
• Assumes primary responsibility for the preparation and administration of the operating budget for water, sanitary and storm sewer utilities and related areas of responsibility. Carefully manages assigned budgets, and helps assure compliance to City procurement requirements.
• Determines and sets work priorities, prepares and coordinates work schedules and division staffing to help expedite workflow, and provide a high level of service
• Professionally manages capital projects as assigned, tasks and assigned resources including employees on a day-to-day basis related to services, assets and infrastructure.
• Issues both written and verbal instructions to staff, contractors, co-workers, and other applicable entities.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of environmental, regulatory and safety compliance programs, quality improvement programs, and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for work to be performed.
• Highly involved in the department’s safety program, and performs work related to creating a safe work environment for work crews. Knowledgeable about OSHA workplace requirements. Provides initial and ongoing training in safety practices and procedures. Supervises the wearing and use of safety clothing and devices as needed.
• Serves as a high-level member of the city’s Emergency Management team, and performs work related to planning and managing the city’s Emergency Operations. Also responds to and initiates appropriate actions related to utility specific emergencies and other issues involving assigned areas of responsibilities which occur after normal work hours.
• Highly knowledgeable about the applicable environmental and regulatory codes the City is required to meet for this positions area of service, implements projects, and programs along with proper reporting to assure compliance.
• Oversees the maintenance of applicable infrastructure in the assigned areas of responsibility utilizing an Asset Management approach to infrastructure management, and utilizes applicable computer programs and electronic devices for this work.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements training and cross-training programs for employees, including safety procedures, equipment operation, general work methods, and other related training utilizing both in-house and hired trainers.
• Participates in the selection processes for job applicants for full-time, part-time, and seasonal vacancies, recommends employment, and takes other related actions.
• Evaluates work performance of assigned employees, and recommends training, recognition and/or disciplinary action as necessary. Is actively involved in the development and enforcement of the department’s work rules, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrates positive leadership by encouraging effective labor relations, intervenes to avoid grievances, and
• Involved in investigations and other measures related to corrective disciplinary actions. Counsel’s employees for errors and aberrations in a reasonable, even-handed manner.
• Encourages innovation and improved methods and procedures from other members of the team.
• Performs related duties as assigned/required.

NOTE: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: Graduation from a credited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, public or business administration, supplemented by at least eight (8) years of progressively responsible engineering, public or management experience, five (5) years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity relating to drinking water treatment and distribution; or an equivalent combination of the above training experience.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

• CT Class III Water Distribution System Certificate through the State of CT Department of Public Health
• Class IV Water Treatment Plant Certificate through the State of CT Department of Public Health. If not registered in the State of Connecticut at the time of appointment, employee will have twelve (12) months from the date of appointment to obtain Connecticut registration through reciprocity procedures.
• The above certificates must be obtained within twelve (12) months from the date of employment.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Connecticut at the time of application for employment preferred.
• Valid Connecticut Driver’s License within thirty (30) days from the date of employment.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL EXERTION/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed both in an office setting and outdoors. Field work is required in the inspection of construction sites and other departmental facilities and property. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: The probationary period for this position shall be twelve (12) months.

THIS EXAMINATION WILL BE COMPOSED OF
OPEN COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION

COMPONENTS WEIGHTS WEIGHTS
Experience & Training 100% or 40%
Oral Panel Interview 40%
Written 20%

The City reserves the right to select any of the examination weights listed above.

PASSING GRADE: The minimum passing grade is 70%.

DURATION OF OPEN COMPETITIVE EMPLOYMENT LIST: A certified employment list shall be in effect for one year from the date of its establishment by the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service Commission may, upon the showing and finding of exigent or extenuating circumstances, extend the duration of the list when it is deemed to be in the best interest of the City However, in no case shall any certified employment list remain in force for more than two years.

RULE OF FIVE PLUS THREE: When a vacancy exists for this position, the Appointing Authority is sent the first five names in rank on the certified Employment list plus the next three highest City residents. All may be considered equally for the one job vacancy.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN TESTING: All requests for reasonable accommodations in the testing process must be made in writing, no later than the closing date for applications. Documentation of the disability for which the accommodation is being requested, and what specific accommodation is being requested, must be received no later than two (2) weeks after the closing deadline for applications. The candidate’s failure to provide documentation which satisfies the City’s requirements by the timetable above will result in an inability to provide an accommodation in the testing process. However, the candidate who meets the minimum qualifications for the position would still be eligible to complete with all other candidates in the standard testing process.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR CITY OF NEW BRITAIN RESIDENTS: Proof of domicile shall be filed at the time of filing the application.

Applications AND resumes must be on file with the Civil Service Commission/Human Resources, Room 409, City Hall, no later than Wednesday, June 1, 2024 at 4:00 P.M. Application forms may be obtained at the office of the Civil Service Commission/Human Resources, Room 409, City Hall, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Tel.(860) 826-3404.

An EOE/AA/Equal Access Employer

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $152,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $152,000 - $165,000