Assistant General Manager of Utilities

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Utilities Assistant General Manager serves in a principle leadership role and will provide responsible staff assistance to the Utilities General Manager which may include acting in their absence. Additionally, the Utilities Assistant General Manager will be responsible for providing daily direction and oversight for the Operations related divisions of Starkville Utilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Manage multiple divisions within the Utilities Department which may include electric operations division, water treatment and production division, water distribution and collection division, wastewater treatment division, procurement and facilities division
• Assists with infrastructure master planning, capital improvement project implementation, and other aspects of long range planning as required.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of each of the different division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Monitor, evaluate, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Develop goals, objectives, and performance measures for projects within programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Supervise and direct the activities of assigned division managers, participate in employee selection, assist in prioritizing work assignments, oversight and management of safety training and compliance, directs and maintains performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary action, and complaint resolution.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of assigned division budgets; participate in rate review studies and the forecast of funds needed for capital improvements, staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures and assists in implementing budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Utilities General Manager; may act in the absence of the Utilities General Manager as assigned.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, legal requirements, and innovations; recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison to the community and participates in engagement activities to promote the Utilities Department and the City of Starkville
• Research and respond to difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

• Utility Operations and construction project management
• Design, construction, repair, and maintenance methods, materials, and equipment as it relates to public utility infrastructure.
• Labor, material and equipment task planning and tracking
• Applicable laws, regulatory codes, and permits relevant to utility operations.
• Public procurement laws and processes related to construction and inventory.
• Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access and ability to learn new technology systems quickly and efficiently.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other mapping and design software
• Supervisory Control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems oversight and management
• Utility construction maps, plans, details, construction documents and specifications

Skill and Ability to:

• Display strong customer service and business acumen, with the ability to carefully evaluate and improve the organization’s efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.
• Can understand and work in a political, public-sector environment; and be flexible, thick-skinned, and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong personnel management and employee relations skills; able to delegate authority and responsibility while promoting individual accountability.
• Comfortable making public presentations and establishing a high level of credibility with their audience.
• Flexible and adaptable; works well in a high volume, demanding environment with multiple priorities
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Calm under pressure, possessing a positive attitude and a good sense of humor.
• Create, analyze and manage budgets with basic accounting principles.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously with frequent interruptions and communicate the status of ongoing tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, and to keep records and prepare reports. Able to communicate to all levels of employees and differing levels of knowledge and experience. Facilitates interdepartmental communications between divisions.
• Communicate with the public including routine outages or interruptions of service; major outages that may impact vast amounts of customers; individual customers on specific issues or problems.
• Instill a culture of cooperation, collaboration, and communication between responsible divisions and team units.
• Encourage and motivate employees to engage, progress, and improve their individual performance as well as the organizational effectiveness.
• Teach, train and educate a variety of levels of employees on various topics including safety, policies, procedures, technology improvements , and technical topics.
• Develop a systematic approach to implementing and completing large scale maintenance and improvement initiatives or projects and ability to implement while continuously advancing the goals, objectives and improving the process efficiency and effectiveness.
• Relate to and communicate with a variety of people in structured and unstructured situations.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Assist in the development of Divisional and Departmental and policies and procedures. Develop controls and accountability measures to ensure all policies and procedures, including City policies, are being implemented and followed.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, construction management, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in Utility operations including water utility service, utility engineering, electrical operations, environmental programs, water production, water resources or a related field;
• Safety certifications and management of a safety program

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge and experience in utility design including three (3) years in designing municipal water, sanitary sewer, and electric projects.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
• Wastewater and/or Water Operator
• Master's Degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, construction management, business administration, public administration, or related field.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Mississippi Driver’s License and acceptable MVR.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Direct deposit and social security card are required.
• Meet qualification/eligibility/background requirements for this position.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Satisfactorily complete an employment verification and pre-employment drug screening.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Work exposes employees to inclement weather, physical hazards, and chemical hazards. Work requires frequent physical tasks such as sitting, walking over rough surfaces, bending, stooping, climbing, and lifting containers and debris up to seventy-five pounds in weight. Must be able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously, work with numerous interruptions, and adjust to changing priorities. Must demonstrate good use of judgment and demonstrate the ability to properly deal with confidential matters. Must use good interpersonal skills.

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

The job description does not constitute an employment contract and is subject to change as the needs of the City and requirements of the job change.

Regular and consistent attendance is a condition of continuing employment.

The City of Starkville, is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION employer. Candidates are considered for employment with the City, without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, protected veteran status or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $155,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Electrical: 5 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $120,000 - $155,500