Water Services Director

Performs complex professional and difficult administrative work planning, organizing, and directing the county’s public water treatment and distribution system. An employee in this position is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of the county’s public water treatment and distribution system to include billing and customer service.  Work involves providing technical advice and assistance to the County Manager and the Board of Commissioners in water system long-range planning; construction, and improvements; ensuring capacity management and environmental compliance; improving citizen and intergovernmental relations and maintaining water resources. Considerable independent judgement and initiative are required in accomplishing program objectives within a framework of established policies and applicable laws and regulations.   Considerable tact and courtesy are required in frequent contacts with department heads, employees and the general public. Work is performed under the general supervision of the County Manager and is evaluated in terms of overall efficiency and quality of public water system’s operations.

Ensures the county’s public water treatment and distribution system are operated and maintained in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations. Ensures adequate water quality, quantity, and pressure are maintained to meet customer expectations.
 
Provides reports and responsible advice to County Manager and Board of Commissioners on water system projects, activities and water issues. Researches and recommends comprehensive short- and long-range plans and strategies for all aspects of the county’s public water treatment and distribution system to include meeting customer needs, service levels, economic impact, fee structure and policy changes.

Prepares and administers budgets, contracts and monitors expenditures. Prepares revenue projections for water sales and services; recommendations rates to management and the Board of Commissioners.

Prepares requests for proposals and bids for engineering and other professional services; makes recommendations for contract awards. Researches and initiates the purchase of new equipment; approves all major department purchases.

Manages staffing, organizational structure delegation of work; recruits, coaches, evaluates employee performance; recommends employee hiring, promotion, dismissal, and merit increases; takes disciplinary action in consultation with the HR Director and County Manager. Ensures department employees maintain required level of training or certification to perform position responsibilities. Directly supervises the Assistant Water Superintendent and the Customer Service Supervisor. Develops and implements standard operating procedures for the department.

Ensures timely and efficient maintenance of all lines, facilities, and equipment. Consults with engineers, contractors, and equipment suppliers; reviews engineering specifications, architects and engineer’s drawings, and electrical drawings.

Responds to complex citizen and customer questions, concerns, and requests for service; meets with members of the community to assess issues and problems; identifies and recommends solutions. Interacts with senior executives, the media, citizens, regulatory agencies, other governments, contractors and suppliers to effectively support operations.

Ensures county’s water system is in compliance with state Central Coastal Plain Capacity Usage Area (CCPCUA) regulations. Responsible for the county water system’s National Pollution and Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permit to include compliance with requirements and ensuring the permit is current and renewed every five years. Reviews water sample results.   Determines appropriate course of action in the event adjustments are necessary. 

Develops 10-year Capital Improvement Plan for the water department; plans, executes and manages water treatment, storage, and distribution infrastructure capital and capital improvement projects. Plans for future maintenance and system growth; prepares or obtains cost estimates for capital projects. Oversees the design and construction of complex water capital projects.

Develops emergency preparedness plans to provide 24/7 leadership during distribution system emergencies and operating exceptions; Evaluates emergency shutdown incident reports. Manages the preparation of plans and coordination of activities for scheduled water distribution shutdowns.

Stays abreast of industry developments related to water distribution system operation, maintenance, and water quality. Plans for relevant changes in water regulations, safety and other related issues.

Coordinates water department projects and activities with other departments such as Emergency Services and the public information officer.
Maintains positive public relations through ensuring the timely dissemination of information and customer complaint resolution.

Ensures water department provides excellent customer service.

Prepares agenda items and presents to the Board of Commissioners. Prepares, completes and submits reports; analyzes reports.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil or sanitary  engineering, natural or environmental science, public utilities management, business administration, public administration or a related field, and five years of progressively responsible experience in the administration of water treatment and distribution systems, and five years of direct supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Possession of an “A Well” and “A Distribution” water treatment certification issued by the North Carolina Division of Environmental Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources or ability to obtain within 12 months of employment.
Must be able to operate and transport small watercraft.
Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Residence in Craven County required. Must be established within 12 months of hire.
May be required to serve during times of emergency or disaster.
May require extended hours including weekends and holidays and responding to calls after regular work hours for water system-related emergencies.
Performs other related work as required.

Physical Requirements: This is sedentary work. Must be able to perform the physical life functions of reaching, fingering, pushing pulling, grasping, talking, walking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Must possess visual acuity to produce and review written reports and records including mathematical calculations, operate a computer terminal, analyze data, and to read maps, schematic drawings and plans. Occasionally, the essential duties of this position are performed in the field under various climatic and geographic conditions in an environment with exposure to high frequency and constant noise, dust, allergens, and other environmental irritants and around moving equipment and vehicles.

Motor Coordination: Requires the ability coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using tools, public water system equipment, vehicles, and small watercraft.

Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of office equipment. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from supervisor and subordinates. 

Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of records, receipts, technical diagrams, work orders, etc. Requires the ability to prepare work orders, activity records and reports using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak to people with poise, voice control and confidence.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in required water system terminology.

Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to interact with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under medium levels of stress.

Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and hear for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words.