Area Manager for Water Utility

At Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc., we know that water is a precious resource – one that plays a critical role in sustaining life. That’s why we take seriously our mission: protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource. At Aqua, we are guided by a set of principles that embody the character of our company and inspire our work together. They are embedded within our business practices and our behavior. We are proud to be united by integrity, respect and the pursuit of excellence to be the best we can be for the customers and communities we serve.

Together, the women and men of Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc. serve 1 million customers across eight states. Aqua uses science, technology, capital investments, and amazing talent to provide communities with clean, safe drinking water and responsibly return wastewater to our rivers and streams. Join our team and make a difference!

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua? We have a great opportunity for an Area Manager for our Danville/Vermillion division. The duties of the Area Manager shall include the management and administration of all activities within assigned divisions. The Area Manager shall direct the staff for the efficient operation of the company to ensure quality customer and community service, employee and regulatory relationships and appropriate shareholder return. The Area Manager is responsible for growing the customer base and for acquiring additional systems to make company operations more efficient. The position is one of integrity and appropriate disclosure will be required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develops plans, establishes priorities, and allocates resources to carry out company programs including, but not limited to: Long range planning

Annual operating and capital budgets
Growing customer base and acquiring additional systems where prudent
Other company goals, objectives, and programs

• Establishes goals and objectives for assigned functional area (customer service, distribution, treatment, or government relations).
• Responsible for the Supervisors adherence to the collective bargaining unit agreements within the divisions as well as being an active participant in union negotiations and grievance arbitration resolutions.
• Ensures all work is performed in accordance with the Aqua IL safety programs and policies. Ensures appropriate financial and operational controls are in place for the safe, proper, and efficient operations of any water systems including water supply, treatment, and distribution systems. Ensure controls best utilize and protect company assets.
• Actively promotes the company’s position and image by establishing and maintaining positive communications and relationships with customers, communities, public officials, regulators, and media.
• Manages the departmental supervisors and associated staff. Interviews, hires, sets high performance standards, and manages performance in accordance with all applicable HR policies and procedures. Creates an energized work environment, fostering an atmosphere that enables employee trust and engagement. Inspires confidence and motivates others to perform at their best. Develops and coaches’ staff while effectively addressing performance issues.
• Plans, assigns, and directs work providing oversight using technical software for work order management, and reviews accounts/billing accuracy.
• Drives company initiatives within the division for technology, process, and systems innovation for operational efficiency.
• Implements programs to ensure quality service is provided to customers, including compliance with all federal and state regulations, and compliance with state business and economic regulations for public utilities. Seeks to deliver value to the customer through best management practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A minimum of five years experience in water utility industry.
• A minimum of three years management experience.
• A valid U.S. Drivers License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge in both operational and financial aspects of water utility operations.
• Strong leadership skills
• Computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office applications, as well as other software applications used in the normal course of business.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal and external customers.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment- work well under pressure.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment.

WORKING CONDITI O NS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.
• Frequent travel across division and moderate travel to the State Headquarters.
• Available for emergencies and consultation 24/7.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

Essential Utilities and its subsidiaries , including Aqua, Delta, and Peoples Natural Gas, requires new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, where allowable under the law. To satisfy this requirement, new hires who received the one shot regimen of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine must receive the one dose shot prior to their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination must be provided on your first day of employment. For the two shot regimen of either Pfizer or Moderna, a new hire must have received at least one dose of the vaccine before their first day of employment. Proof of the second dose date must be received within the recommended timeline based on the manufacturer’s vaccine received. For example, for Moderna as soon as the 28 day period has elapsed and for Pfizer as soon as the 21 day period has elapsed. Failure to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status will result in the termination of your employment with Essential Utilities including its subsidiaries Aqua, Delta and Peoples Natural Gas.

If you are unable to be fully vaccinated due to a medical or religious exemption, you will be required to apply for an exemption on your first day of employment with Essential Utilities. As part of the process, you will be required to provide information and/or documentation to Human Resources about the reason(s) you cannot be vaccinated. If your request for an exemption is not approved, then your employment may be terminated.

Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.

Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).

Job Type: Full-time