Description
About the Opportunity
The City of Asheville is seeking a qualified Water Resources Director to lead our high-performing department. This pivotal role reports directly to the City Manager (with day-to-day oversight from an Assistant City Manager) and involves leading the dedicated staff across five divisions to ensure continued high-level water service for our community.. For more details, click here. Asheville Water Resources Water Department Page
What you’ll be doing:
Develop and execute strategies for the city's water resources to meet current and future needs, including anticipating municipal growth and preparing for long-range planning.
Lead all administrative functions for the department, including budgeting, grant proposals, and personnel matters.
Ensure all water resource operations comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
Oversee crews and projects for all city utility work.
Manage the department's asset management program, including a computer-generated refurbishment and replacement program.
Direct all aspects of the department's ISO 14001 certification and Homeland Security protocols for water infrastructure.
Manage the department's computer systems, including GIS and GPS, for tasks like leak detection and mapping.
Oversee the preparation of plans and specifications for new water main installations.
Develop and monitor annual goals, objectives, and evaluation procedures for the department.
Manage and monitor a comprehensive meter strategy to identify and address water loss and revenue issues.
Direct the state-mandated backflow and cross-connection programs.
Review and approve engineering plans and specifications for new installations and system upgrades.
Requirements
About you:
We know your time is valuable. Applicants who meet the following minimum requirements or have comparable experience and/or education will be considered:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. (Master's degree in public administration or registration as a Professional Engineer preferred)
Professional Experience: Six to nine years of progressively responsible utility administration or related experience. Alternatively, an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Valid Driver's License: Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Our ideal candidate will possess the requisite technical skills for this position and will also demonstrate the ability to:
Expertise in Utilities Management: Extensive knowledge of public utilities administration principles and a strong grasp of the latest trends and developments in the field. Knowledge of Asheville's unique water system is a plus as the distribution and production is based on gravity fed sources with pressures in excess of 500lbs.
Strategic Planning and Financial Acumen: The ability to navigate financial challenges, particularly in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene, secure resources, and possess strong strategic planning and budgeting knowledge to ensure the long-term resilience and reliability of the water system.
Leadership and Supervision: Proven ability to plan, assign, and coordinate the work of a large professional and technical staff, as well as a solid understanding of the principles of public administration and organization.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various officials, developers, and contractors. As well as internal partners and direct reports. Must be able to express ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Technical Proficiency: Competence in using common office software for word processing, spreadsheets, and file management.
Safety Awareness: A thorough understanding of occupational hazards and safety precautions related to utilities installation and maintenance.
