Utility General Manager

Under broad policy guidance of the Mayor, City Council, and the City Administrator perform high level administrative, technical, and professional work in directing and supervising the operation of the utilities within the City of North Platte, Nebraska. This position is a leadership role that requires personal courage, unreproached integrity, personal confidence and intelligence, responsive to the needs of others, and care about and enjoy working with people. This employee will need to be highly organized and able to simultaneously direct the activities and projects of multiple Departments that are geographically dispersed.

Essential Job Functions:

Leadership and Communication:

• Guide and administer the activities of all utility Departments, ensure alignment with city policies and coordination with external agencies.
• Recommend organizational changes and improvements to city leadership.
• Lead the utility management team, working closely with Department heads.
• Oversee shared services, including finance, human resources, and IT, in coordination with the City Administrator.
• Serve as a liaison between the Utility, City Administrator, and City Council to ensure effective communication and coordination.

Strategic Planning and Policy Development:

• Engage in long-range planning with the city leadership, set broad policy goals for the Utility Department.
• Develop and implement policies related to staffing, customer service, rates, regulatory requirements, and infrastructure expansion.
• Oversee capital improvement planning and provide supervision of major projects.
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency of the Utility Department’s structure, staffing, and service levels, implement necessary improvements.

Operations and Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, including required inspections and certifications.
• Oversee the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of utility services.
• Provide oversight of engineering work, infrastructure planning, and environmental compliance.
• Monitor industry trends, safety standards, and best practices to enhance operations.
• Ensure asset management systems, GIS data, and infrastructure documentation are maintained and accurate.

Financial Oversight:

• Develop and manage the Utility Department’s budget, ensure financial stability and adherence to established guidelines.
• Oversee utility fund management, purchasing, and financial policies.
• Monitor financial performance, discuss spending adjustments with Department heads, and minimize fund balance usage based on revenue projections.
• Keep the Mayor and City Council informed of the Utility Department’s financial condition and needs.

Personnel and Labor Relations:

• Recruit, train, coach, and evaluate direct reports, ensure clear directives to department heads.
• Oversee personnel actions, including promotions, salary adjustments, and disciplinary measures.
• Lead union negotiations and provide direction on employee and labor relations matters.
• Promote a positive and productive work environment through staff development initiatives.

Community and Customer Relations:

• Engage with individual and commercial customers to address utility concerns and balance customer and municipal interests.
• Respond to citizen inquiries and resolve complex complaints in a timely manner.
• Represent the Utility Department in community activities, strive to be a visible and engaged leader.

Technology and Innovation:

• Investigate and implement emerging technologies to enhance utility operations.
• Oversee energy efficiency programs and power management initiatives.

Regulatory and Legislative Affairs:

• Analyze and advocate for the Utility Department’s position on state and federal legislation impacting operations.
• Represent the Utility Department before legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and industry organizations.
• Work with the City Attorney on legal matters affecting the Utility Department, testify in hearings as needed.

Contract and Asset Management:

• Negotiate contracts for administrative, fiscal, and special projects.
• Ensure effective management of capital assets, maintain facilities and equipment in good condition.

Public Engagement and Representation:

• Attend City Council meetings, present reports, and respond to questions.
• Participate in professional organizations, boards, and commissions to stay informed on industry trends.
• Attend training, workshops, conferences, and meeting to keep abreast of the current trends in the field.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, public administration, or closely related filed, required.
• Master’s degree in public administration, business administration, or closely related field, preferred.
• Minimum of ten years of successful management experience in the utilities industry.
• Demonstrated experience organizing, directing, and coordinating the operations of a municipal utility.
• Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the City Council, other public officials, employees, consultants, developers, and the general public.
• Strong negotiation skills with suppliers and contractors.
• Ability to lead, manage, and coordinate municipal utility operations.
• Effective problem solving and decision making, with diverse stakeholders.
• Expertise in utility administration, customer service, conflict resolution, and public relations.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting, supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Skilled in program and project management, policy interpretation, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to analyze issues, develop solutions, and implement effective policies.
• Experience in contract negotiation, resource allocation, and operational improvements.
• Ability to build strong, team-oriented relationships with city leadership, staff, and the public.
• Constructive conflict resolution and stakeholder engagement.

Independence of Action

This position establishes the policies and procedures of the department. Situations will often dictate that this position must interpret those polices and procedures or int eh absence of any relevant policy or procedure this position may be called upon to make decisions and judgments based upon facts and circumstances presented. This ability to think independently and to use logic along with all of the known facts to render appropriate decisions and direction in both filed and administrative matters.

Physical Requirements

This position is primarily administrative in nature, working indoors a majority (up to 80%) of the time. Complete tasks such as reading and reviewing reports, papers, and other documents; write reports, papers, correspondence, and other documents. This portion of the job will require acute mental skills, a lengthy attention span, and involve intermittently sitting (approximately 60% of the time), walking (25%), and standing (15%). Work requires a high degree of manual skill, the ability to hear, focus on close work, and the use of hands and fingers. Interaction with co-workers is an everyday occurrence and requires the ability to direct, negotiate, and mediate.

Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to indoor conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $151,000.00 - $203,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• Day shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $151,000 - $203,000