Director of Operations and Maintenance

Under general administrative direction from the General Manager, plans, organizes, and directs the District’s Operations and Maintenance Department; establishes goals and objectives for the department and internal policies and procedures to guide departmental program activities; through subordinate managers and supervisors, directs the work of staff engaged in distribution maintenance and construction, water treatment and production, water quality, facility maintenance, environmental compliance, laboratory services, emergency and disaster preparedness and response, and security services, and ensures the effectiveness of departmental programs; provides responsible advice and counsel to the Board, General Manager, and District managers on a variety of issues; participates on the Executive Management team to develop District-wide policies and procedures and to advance the goals and mission of the District; provides highly responsible administrative staff assistance to the General Manager; represents the District to outside groups and organizations; serves as District liaison on various inter-agency coordination projects; and performs other related work as required.
 
Director of Operations and Maintenance is a single position department head classification. Under general administrative direction, within a framework of overall goals and objectives, the incumbent is responsible for directing operations and maintenance activities.
 
This classification is distinguished from other department head classifications within the District by the specific responsibility for directing District-wide operations and maintenance activities. This classification is distinguished from other operations and maintenance management classifications by the responsibility for the supervision of those classifications and its overall responsibility for directing department-wide operations and maintenance activities for the District. This classification is distinguished from the General Manger in that the latter is the chief executive responsible for the effectiveness of all District operations and provides direction to this classification.
 
The Ideal Candidate for Director of Operations and Maintenance will:

•    Possess deep knowledge and understanding of the facilities, operations, governance, and maintenance practices of a California Special District providing retail water service to the public, as well as the laws, regulations, and standards that apply to the industry, and to the agency and its mission.
•    Exhibit exceptional leadership skills, fostering a culture of safety and positive and collaborative individual and team relationships, and the ability to motivate, mentor, coach, and develop staff to ensure high performance and productivity toward a common goal.
•    Demonstrate critical and strategic thinking and problem solving, and the ability to develop and implement long-term plans, strategies, and metrics to optimize operations, improve efficiencies, develop and monitor budgets and track expenses, and ensure the reliability of water supply, production, and distribution systems and their supporting facilities and fleets.
•    Demonstrate hands-on, active engagement and oversight of staff and the activities and operations of the department, ensuring consistent, efficient, and effective progress toward meeting department and agency-wide objectives.
•    Demonstrate exceptional verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with multiple audiences such as diverse staff, management, governing bodies, regulatory agencies, and the public.
•    Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and identify conflicts, evaluate problems from different perspectives, and implement constructive solutions in the best interest of the agency.
•    Demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain positive and constructive working relationships at all levels of the organization, supporting staff, developing a strong management team and supporting executive management in leading a high performing organization.
•    Exhibit a service ethic in support of staff, peers, the industry, and other internal and external customers.


•    Plans, develops, and implements goals and objectives for the Operations and Maintenance Department; prepares and administers internal policies and procedures relating to departmental program activities; interprets and explains applicable rules, laws, and regulations to managers, supervisors, and others.

•    Participates in strategic planning for the District and sets goals for the department to support the strategic plan.

•    Directs, oversees, and participates in the development of the departmental program work plan; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; implements needed work process and automation improvements, and methods for improving customer service.

 •    Studies and recommends technology, procedures, and practices to improve operational efficiency; evaluates alternatives for performing needed work; attends project review meetings to evaluate progress of ongoing construction or maintenance activities.

•    Recommends selection of operations and maintenance consultants; oversees the coordination and management of consultants providing engineering, SCADA, maintenance, and operations support services to the department.

•    Ensures the reliable and efficient operation and maintenance of various water supply, water treatment, pumping, storage, and distribution facilities.

•    Visits District facilities and job sites to oversee work in progress and provide needed direction; responds to major emergencies during and after hours as needed; directs the investigation and correction of consumer and operational complaints within areas of jurisdiction.

•    Coordinates departmental activities with other departments and divisions; provides responsible advice and counsel to the General Manager, and department and division managers on a variety of operations and maintenance issues; oversees the maintenance of departmental records and files; and responds to request and prepares and presents reports to the Board of Directors.

•    Represents the District to outside groups and organizations; may act as District liaison on various inter-agency coordination projects; may lead a team of District staff engaged in discussions with representatives of other governmental entities; makes presentations to public groups regarding District activities and programs.

•    Monitors potential impacting legislative and regulatory activities and coordinates with District’s external representative(s) and other internal and external stakeholders as appropriate in order to protect the interests of the District.

•    Attends Board of Directors and Board Committee meetings; prepares and presents staff reports and agenda items for consideration by the Board; serves as advisor to the General Manager and Board regarding operations and maintenance issues, including water quality and environmental regulatory and legislative issues, and emergency preparedness, planning, and response.

•    Oversees and is responsible for emergency and disaster preparedness and planning, and emergency response and security services and processes; ensures emergency response and hazard mitigation plans and procedures remain updated and current, and that appropriate staff throughout the District are properly trained on same; ensures emergency and hazard mitigation plans and activities are coordinated with other agencies as appropriate; responds to emergencies as appropriate.

•    Coordinates preparation of the annual budget request for the Operations and Maintenance Department; reviews staffing, equipment, fleet, and warehousing and supply needs based upon recent trends and planned activities; monitors expenditures after budget adoption to ensure efficient operations; approves purchase requisitions as appropriate.

•    Interviews and hires new staff; prioritizes, assigns, and reviews work; approves time off for payroll purposes; prepares employee performance evaluations; monitors and participates in employee relations activities within the department; carries out activities related to succession planning, performance management, staff recognition, and other related activities.

•    Ensures that long-term training objectives are established and implemented so that staff possess the depth of technical skills and knowledge necessary to maintain effective, efficient, and safe operations as well as for succession planning management.

•    Promotes a safety-first culture and ensures that safety program requirements are adhered to at all times.

•    Serves as a member of the District’s executive team, supporting the management, development, and implementation of the District-wide plans, policies, and procedures.

•    Performs other related work as required.


REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:

Education and Experience:
Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, public administration, or a related field; and eight (8) years of full-time experience performing professional engineering or operations and maintenance work in the utility service field, which includes at least four (4) years of experience in a supervisory capacity. Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California is desirable.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.First consideration will be given to applications received by Friday, April 12, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.   Application materials, which include a supplemental questionnaire should be submitted online at www.acwd.org/jobs.  

Candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will have their Supplemental responses rated followed by a qualification’s appraisal panel interview.  

All applicants will be evaluated against the qualifications and characteristics listed above and included in the job description.