Director of Utilities

The Lānaʻi Water Company is the only water utility on the island and is responsible for providing potable water to the residents and businesses on Lānaʻi. The Director of Utilities is responsible for managing daily operations of the water system to ensure it remains safe and reliable every day of the year. This position plays an important part in the community and government relationships.

Responsibilities for this position cover all the water systems on Lānaʻi, including potable, non-potable, and wastewater treatment. The Director will interface with the County to feed their privately owned R-1 treatment facility in Lānaʻi City. Third parties are contracted to manage the City’s R-1 treatment facility and manage the Wastewater Treatment Plant for the Manele Resort District. The Director is responsible for overseeing the performance of the third-party vendor and ensuring that the assets are properly maintained and functioning well.

Planning infrastructure improvements and developing new water sources is a critical part of this role’s responsibility. The Director will work closely with the SVP for the development and construction on all capital investment and water/wastewater infrastructure projects.

The Lānaʻi Water Company is a public utility and must have its rates regularly approved by the PUC. The Director will work with the Finance Department and prepare for PUC rate reviews. This includes following internal SOP for revenue collection and managing expenses. This position must be an expert in the PUC approval process.

The Water Company also has a public health responsibility, so this position must be well-versed in the health code for water distribution. In addition, this role must train the Water Company staff and ensure that staff are certified at appropriate levels as required by the Department of Health and Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 25. An important part of the Director’s role is to ensure that the Water Company follows all Department of Health regulations. This compliance includes regular testing and reporting.

In addition to the health standards, the Water Company must regularly report to the Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM). It is vitally important that Lānaʻi Water Company maintain its earned reputation for being one of the best-run water companies in Hawaii. The tangible measure of this is the annual water audit that is required by CWRM.

The Director is directly responsible for meeting all the key performance measures required by the water audit and exceeding the minimum standards set by CWRM.

Responsibilities of this position include:

• Conducting business affairs in an ethical and legal fashion. Maintaining transparency in operating the Water Company and respecting the essential role it has in providing safe drinking water to the community and businesses on Lānaʻi.
• Setting the tone for the workplace that is in keeping with Pūlama Lānaʻi quality and commitment standards. Jobs will be done timely with a high standard of excellence.
• Striving to always improve on products.
• Establishing and contributing to a safe, supportive, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment.
• Developing specific objectives, performance standards, and individual development plans for all personnel; responsible for regularly providing progress with each person.
• Building strong communication links with supervisors, peers, and employees. These links need to be formed via frequent face-to-face meetings.
• Complying with all company policies and standards.
• Representing Pūlama Lāna’i in a manner consistent with the vision, mission, and values of the company.

Essential duties of this position include:

• Participating in developing strategic goals for the water company that support the overall strategic plans for Pūlama Lānaʻi.
• Being responsible for the development and implementation of the Water Company and Utilities Departments annual operating budget. Monitoring the department’s performance and making appropriate corrections throughout the year. Forecasting and revising operating plans as needed throughout the year.
• Communicating daily with Water Company staff, and sharing information about departmental goals and performance against these goals and strategies.
• Periodically communicating with and reporting to senior management and government agencies on water use and development.
• Routinely communicating with Government Agencies to remain in compliance with the Department of Health, CWRM, and the PUC.
• Communicating with the Water Company customers on a regular/routine basis. Creating and reviewing all public communications before they are released. Ensuring accuracy and timeliness of information that is shared with consumers.
• Ensuring that billing is done on a timely basis each month and is accurate and in compliance with PUC standards. Reviewing past due accounts each month with the Finance Department and making decisions about how to handle each situation as needed.
• Monitoring all wastewater operations and lift stations. Ensuring third parties are performing as contracted. Having regular communication and inspections of the work products.
• Assessing the capital and maintenance needs for the water and wastewater systems, including wells, lines, reservoirs, and treatment facilities, making recommendations to management regarding requirements for future development on the island.
• Negotiating contracts with sub-contractors within the limits of the company’s financial authority policy. Executing and approving agreements, contracts, parts requests, and change orders within company policy.
• Being responsible for complying with all governmental reporting and operational requirements with respect to testing, sampling, water quality, and water development and usage. Monitoring chlorine levels, well conditions, and water production and quality.
• Serving as the primary spokesperson for the company on matters involving the Water Company and water use and development. Participating in community committees as needed. Mandatory participation in any government-led committees such as a Water Advisory Committee.
• Overseeing the development of internal policies and procedures. Ensuring that SOPs are in place to keep the water system safe and employees are protected in the workplace.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Must be certified in the State of Hawaii at Distribution System Operator level four, or equivalent.
• BS in Civil Engineering with five to seven years of increasing responsibility in potable water and/or wastewater management, project development, or engineering.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Must be proficient in Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Requires excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Requires relating to people in a friendly and professional manner.
• Requires community and other constituent building experience.
• Requires verbal communication skills and ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Requires good judgment and a common sense approach to the work.
• Requires an ability to take responsibility and be accountable.
• Able to offer clear and practical advice to managers within the organization.
• Able to create effective working relationships with people.
• Must be able to maintain a positive attitude and work under pressure.
• Must have a current State of Hawaii driver’s license.

The base salary for this position is $175K – 195K or commensurate with experience, and full benefits.

Interested candidates should forward a resume (MS Word attachment preferred) plus a brief email describing your relevant experience and reasons for your interest to: . Or call (519) 270-3780 for more information. All inquiries will be held in strict confidence.

Jeff Smith & Associates is a technical recruiting firm that specializes in the placement of exceptional candidates in the Water and Wastewater Treatment industries. To view other opportunities on which we are currently working, go to our website at: .