POSITION PURPOSE:
The Water Utility Director reports to the Mayor of Racine and the Water Works Commission. The Director is responsible for budgeting, planning, service delivery, management, and performance of the water utility. The Water Utility Director provides recommendations for strategic and financial planning. At times, this may include securing revenue bond financing or State Revolving Fund loans to pay for capital improvements. The Water Utility Director ensures compliance with local, state, and federal safe drinking water standards, rules, and regulations. The Water Utility Director prepares for monthly water commission and biweekly common council meetings. The Director also plans and directs public education and relations programs regarding plans and current operations. The position directly oversees four staff: chief of operations, chief engineer, administrative manager, and an administrative assistant. General supervision is exercised over the Utilities' 57 employees. The Water Utility Director oversees personnel management including fostering better union/association relations.

POSITION PURPOSE:
The purpose of this position is to direct, plan, administer and supervise water utility activities according to applicable statutes, ordinances and regulatory mandates under the general direction of the Waterworks Commission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Participates in weekly staff and other meetings with operations personnel, administrative manager and chief engineer. Plans and coordinates overall operation of water utility including maintenance, repair, capital improvement planning, financial accounting and billing.
• Reviews operations to ensure compliance with local, state and federal safe drinking water standards, rules and regulations.
• Prepares for monthly water commission and biweekly common council meetings. Serves as administrative assistant backup for Legistar documentation.
• Maintains knowledge of administrative and accounting principles; applicable ordinances, laws, rules and regulations; personnel management principles and techniques; and city growth patterns and trends.
• Supervises annual operating budget preparation. Prepares capital improvement project(s) recommendations. Monitors budget activities. Approves fund transfers, weekly accounts payable logs, revenue activity and expense reports.
• Secures revenue bond financing or State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans to pay for capital improvements. Works with the Racine Common Council for approval of said loans.
• Directly oversees chief of operations, chief engineer, administrative manager, and administrative assistant. Oversees personnel management including fostering better union/association relations. Imposes employee discipline with city HR.
• Responds to customer complaints; contributes input to resolve damage claims in concert with the city attorney's office.
• Plans and directs public education and relations programs regarding future plans and current operations. Works with local and regional media contacts as necessary.
• Participates in association contract negotiations and service provider contract negotiations.
• Oversees capital improvement and construction projects. Reviews and approves plans, bid specifications, requests for proposal, contracts and construction and maintenance statistical and narrative reports. Executes contract documents in concert with the city attorney's office.
• Executes utility relocation contracts with WE Energies for any necessary relocations.
• Reviews and approves or prepares reports to regulatory agencies.

• Participates in strategic and financial planning regarding utility operations.
• Directs and reviews department personnel ongoing training. Participates in ongoing training.
• Coordinates utility activities with other city departments and other governmental agencies.
• Reviews, records and performs other miscellaneous administrative duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree required, with a Master's degree preferred, in civil engineering, environmental engineering, water resources, business administration, or related area from an accredited college or university.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in water or wastewater engineering or municipal utility administration is required; or any combination of education and experience (MS = 4 years or BS = 2 years) that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Registered Professional Engineer is a plus.
• A valid state-issued motor vehicle operating license is required.

• Proficiency with computer applications, including Microsoft Office is required.
• Becomes proficient in the terms of the regional Water Agreements. Administers regional agreements for the provision of water service.
• Develops a thorough understanding of hydraulic and operational principles of the water distribution system to make decisions during emergency situations in the absence of senior staff.
• Liaison with WIS DOT on local DOT road construction projects within the region and complete DT-1077 and local agreements for cost reimbursement.
• Liaison with cell tower companies for lease space on water towers; Negotiate contracts along with utility private attorneys.
• Procure land rights and easements for utility projects utilizing engineers and outside legal firms for acquisition. Record easements at the courthouse.
• Ability to be assertive to give direction and lead a team.

• Ability to analyze and categorize data and information in order to determine the relationship of the data with reference to established criteria/standards, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, classify, compute, tabulate, measure and/or sort data, as well as assemble, copy and record and transcribe data and information.
• Ability to interpret a variety of advisory and design data and information such as bid specifications, contracts and agreements, financial statements, insurance documents, ordinances, engineering drawings, technical reports, personnel reports, non-routine correspondence, maps, safety data sheets, and regulatory codes.
• Ability to decide the time, place and sequence of operations within an organizational framework, as well as the ability to oversee their execution.
• Ability to provide formal instruction. Ability to negotiate and engage in formal bargaining in labor associated agreements. Ability to manage and direct a group of workers, including the ability to provide counseling and mediation. Ability to persuade and convince others. Ability to advise and interpret regarding the application of policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize office computer software to create and manipulate datasheets using advanced functions, prepare professional and factual letter and report documentation, and prepare clear and precise presentation slideshows.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a professional, tactful, compassionate, and patient manner with varied and diverse contacts, such as utility personnel, municipal departments, commission board and council members, attorneys, consultants, regulatory personnel, and general public.

• Ability to apply algebraic and trigonometric formulas, and interpret inferential statistical reports and/or formulation and equation data.
• Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data using hand-written bench sheets and electronic integration in analyzing, recording, and interpreting data.

• Ability to use functional reasoning and apply rational and ethical judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria.
• Ability to apply proper judgment, tact, courtesy, and diplomacy when dealing with colleagues, industry, city and village representatives, and regulatory agencies.