External Operations Manager

Job Summary

Under general direction of the Utilities Director this position is responsible for the daily management of external operations to include water distribution and wastewater collection field infrastructure, water and sewer meter reading, and the operation of the city’s water filtration and wastewater treatment plants and compliance with all state and federal regulation. This position is responsible for orienting and training staff, relaying work tasks and expectations, counseling employees and evaluating job performance. This position leads and directs the activities of water filtration plant superintendent, wastewater treatment plant superintendent, and field superintendent and serves as liaison between external operations and administration. This position serves in the absence of the Utilities Director and must have comprehensive knowledge of utilities administrative operations including but not limited to utility billing, fee application and meter reading.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statement of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required, assigned and expected aside from those set forth below to address operational needs and changing operational practices.

• Research and provide input for operating plans and goals to ensure best practice and efficiency
• Assist with recruitment, selection and onboarding processes
• Research and recommend training for employees
• Oversee field operations of the Utilities Department to ensure efficiency and productivity
• Monitor and evaluate employee performance
• Lead and direct activities of Utilities Superintendents
• Ensure that field operations have necessary resources needed to complete assignments
• Ensure that field operations stay within allocated budget
• Coordinate with Purchasing/Warehouse Manager for purchase and storage of Utilities supplies
• Monitor and report on performance of contract work
• Report areas of concern and progress to administration
• Assess and monitor safety of worksites
• Serve in the absence of the Utilities Director
• Application of Utilities administrative policies and procedures to field operations

Qualifications

Education & Experience Guidelines
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities required for this position would be:

Education/Training
Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.

Experience
Three years managerial experience of water/sewer operations, Two years experience of construction/maintenance of water/sewer systems and/or treatment of water/sewer.

Licenses or Certifications Required
ADEM certification in Water/Wastewater Plant Operations and a valid driver’s license. Preferably a candidate would also be certified in Water Distribution Systems and/or Wastewater Collection Systems.

The following generally describes the knowledge and abilities required in order to successfully perform the assigned duties of the position:

Knowledge of:

• Management functions including planning, budgeting, organizing staffing and human resource management, directing and providing direction
• Organization, operation, policies, procedures and ordinances and regulations of the City of Phenix City and Phenix City Utilities.
• State laws and ADEM regulations applying to utilities administration, water distribution, wastewater collection, water filtration, and wastewater treatment.

Ability to:

• Read to comprehend technical literature, regulations, reports, financial statements and other highly complex material.
• Write to prepare directives, memoranda, correspondence, press releases, narrative reports and similar documents.
• Utilize math skills to perform calculations involving percentages, discounts and compound interest, perform accounting procedures, and to use statistical methods to compute trends, means, standard deviations and other statistics.
• Utilize computer skills to use word processing, spreadsheet, database and specialized utilities software programs.
• To develop strategic and operational plans.
• Utilize supervisory skills in delegation, communications, motivation and leadership.
• Effectively use human, financial, physical and information resources to accomplish goals.
• Diplomatically address conflict and offer solutions for resolution.
• Work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner

Physical Demands & Working Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations needed to perform the essential duties of this position.

Environment: Daily observation and worksite visits as well as indoor office work

Physical Demands: See accompanying page for details

Key Working Relationship: Utilities Director, Utilities Plant and Field Employees

Applications for this position will be accepted until a pool of 20 applications is received or the position is filled, whichever comes first. Current city employees wishing to apply should send Internal Job Application provided by the Human Resources Department to the HR Director by the deadline stated. (A courtesy copy will be sent to the employee’s department head.)

Applications can be found online (download an application) or picked up at the City of Phenix City Human Resources Department:
1103 Broad Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Ph: 334 448-2706

Applications are available for pick up and drop off on Mondays from 2 to 5 p.m., Eastern Time, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Eastern Time. You may also email your completed application with the required supporting documents.