Utilities Division Director

Under the supervision of the Public Works Department Director, plans, directs, manages, and oversees the operations of the County’s Utilities Division.  Ensures compliance with local, state and industry standards or requirements and accordance with established policies, procedures, and safety protocols and regulations.

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Utilities Division services and activities; develops and implements division goals, objectives, and priorities; responsible for the division strategic plan, recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Establishes, within County policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level staff, the Utilities Division work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Hosts regular staff meetings to ensure communication among staff regarding division-related activities.
• Oversees and participates in the development and administration of the division budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Oversees the acquisition and maintenance of Division equipment and vehicles; maintains safety standards for personnel and equipment.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends Board of County Commissioners (BCC) and other meetings as required.
• Represents the Utilities Division to other departments, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Coordinates assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints; explains, justifies, and defends division programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; serves as the County’s representative to committees and community organizations concerned with improvements in division relations.
• Maintains awareness of new trends and developments and incorporates new developments as appropriate.
• Supervises assigned projects,provides instruction to employees; plans and assigns work; evaluates and approves/disapproves leave requests; approves timesheets; checks final work to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures; recommends the hiring of new employees; recommends the promotion of employees; recommends salary increases for employees; recommends disciplinary action; assists in the resolution of grievances and/or complaints; provides feedback on work performance for employees; completes performance evaluations for employees.

Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of modern office terminology and equipment.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial and techniques.
• Ability to exercise insight and independent judgment.
• Ability to communicate and present complex information effectively, both verbally and orally and in writing, and to various audiences.; and to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written material. Ability to relate to public sentiment and need, and to maintain good public relations and customer service. 
• Ability to lead staff with diverse backgrounds in terms of abilities, education, culture and language.
• Ability to negotiate arrangements and disputes of various types, with other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies, special interest groups, professional organizations, and labor representatives.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks, as well as demonstrated capacity to work with common software products and electronic equipment shall also be required.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business administration, public management, or a similar field plus specialized training in municipal utilities as well as personnel and financial management of a utility.  In addition, a minimum of six (6) years’ experience in infrastructure design and/or management of which at least three (3) must be in a supervisory capacity.  
• Any combination of education or experience in public or business administration, economic development, or a closely related field totaling ten (10) years.  
• Related education and experience may be substituted for education at a rate of 30 credit hours equal to one (1) year of experience. 

• Must obtain a minimum Level I certification as water and/or wastewater certification from the State of New Mexico within one year of hire.

Working Conditions: 

Work is performed in both an office setting and outdoors in varied weather conditions, with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles, allergens, wastewater, heights, animals and extreme heat or cold.  Work involves high risk and potentially dangerous situations working near hazardous/moving materials, equipment and machinery; and exposure to vibration and excessive noise.  The use of protective clothing, equipment, devices and materials is required.  Work requires the ability to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands or arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, and smell; clarity of vision at short and long distance; and the ability to lift up to 50lbs.  
 
Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver’s License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties. Candidate must obtain and/or maintain all certifications required.#J-18808-Ljbffr