UTILITIES MANAGER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, assists in directing, managing, supervising, and coordinating the activities and operations of the Utilities Department including the operation of the City’s water, wastewater, and recycled water; coordinates assigned activities with other sections, divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Utilities.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Assists in the management responsibility for assigned services and activities of the Utilities Department including the operation of the City’s water, wastewater, and recycled water, and the lakes and canal sections; assists with the management and operation of the water filtration and wastewater treatment plants.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned service areas, programs, and operations; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; plans, develops and implements methods and procedures designed to improve operations, minimize operating costs, and promote the most efficient use of labor and materials; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Serves as project manager to assist in planning, organizing and coordinating office and field activities for City water, wastewater, and reclamation related projects and issues; negotiates contracts; coordinates with consultants regarding various projects.
• Oversees the Department’s safety programs; assists with action planning for safety programs; responds to workers’ compensation issues.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
  works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the Utilities Department’s annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; prepares water and wastewater rates, fees, and charges; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Director of Utilities; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies including studies and related reports for current and long-range water, wastewater, and reclamation projects; recommends modifications to utilities programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Serves as the liaison for the Utilities Department to other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; interfaces with other agencies with which the City jointly operates; may represent the City at San Diego County Water Authority staff functions, meetings, and work groups; assists with negotiating and resolving sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serves as staff to and represents the City at and on a variety of board, commission, committees, and/or other public meetings; interfaces with regulatory agencies; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of utilities.
• Oversees and participates in providing customer service to internal and external customers; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive utilities program including water, wastewater, and recycled water systems.
• Principles and practices of utilities administration operations.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws and regulations related to water, wastewater, and reclamation systems.
• Water supply issues related to the City of Escondido, San Diego County, the State of California, and the western United States.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Principles and practices of project management, administration, and coordination.
• Modern methods, tools, equipment, materials, and work practices utilized in utility operations.
• Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed in a utilities department.
• Geography and utilities systems of the City.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of a comprehensive utilities department including water, wastewater, and reclamation programs.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of a wide range of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of department goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Negotiate agreements and contracts.
• Estimate costs and develop budgets to carry out utilities functions.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Oversee the establishment and maintenance of accurate operational record keeping systems.
• Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure adherence to established safety rules, regulations, and guidelines.
• Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; tactfully and courteously represent the Utilities Department during public contacts.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering, chemistry, business or public administration, or a related field. A Master’s degree is desirable.

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible public sector management level experience in water or wastewater utility administration.

License or Certificate - Possession of Water Treatment or Distribution and/or Wastewater Treatment certification is highly desirable. Possession of a valid California Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer is desirable. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting with some travel from site to site to observe field operations/activities and to attend meetings. CONTINUOUS working indoors, dust from paperwork. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Overtime and attending meetings outside regular work hours may be required. Work is primarily performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment; occasional field work in observing operations. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Revised: August 2007
MH/Department

Revised: February 2004 MH/Department