What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director of Water Resources position at City of Lynchburg?
The City of Lynchburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Lynchburg is seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking leader to serve as Deputy Director of Water Resources. This is a key executive role responsible for helping lead a full-service municipal utility serving approximately 25,000 customer connections.
Reporting directly to the Director, the Deputy Director provides strategic and operational leadership across water treatment, wastewater treatment, and technical services functions. The position plays a central role in ensuring reliable 24/7 service delivery, regulatory compliance, infrastructure investment, and long-term sustainability of the City’s water systems.
This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing utility by advancing capital programs, strengthening workforce capacity, and implementing modern technologies and best practices.
About the DepartmentLynchburg Water Resources is a full-service utility responsible for:
- Drinking water treatment and distribution
- Wastewater treatment and collection
- Stormwater quality and management
- Regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship
- Capital planning and infrastructure delivery
Like peer utilities of similar size (15,000–50,000 connections), the department operates multiple divisions and relies on strong executive leadership to coordinate operations, capital programs, and workforce development across functional areas.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties necessary to deliver services to customers and citizens may be assigned.Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Oversight
- Provides executive oversight of water and wastewater treatment operations and/or other divisions to ensure uninterrupted, 24/7 service delivery.
- Directs division managers in achieving performance goals related to safety, compliance, efficiency, and service reliability.
- Promotes a culture of operational excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Ensures compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., EPA, DEQ, VDH).
- Oversees permitting, reporting, inspections, and audits for water and wastewater systems.
- Assists with risk management efforts including emergency preparedness, incident response, and regulatory enforcement mitigation.
- Assists in development, prioritization, and implementation of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
- Supports long-term infrastructure planning, asset management strategies, and lifecycle cost analysis.
- Reviews and approves engineering plans, specifications, and major capital projects.
- Assists in development and management of operating and capital budgets.
- Supports financial planning efforts including rate studies, cost-of-service analysis, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Identifies opportunities for operational efficiencies and cost optimization.
- Oversees Technical/Technology Services including SCADA systems, data management, and process automation.
- Promotes use of data analytics, smart utility technologies, and digital tools to enhance decision-making and system performance.
- Supports cybersecurity awareness and protection of critical infrastructure systems.
- Serves as liaison to the City Manager’s Office, regulatory agencies, regional partners, and the public as needed.
- Represents the department before City Council, and community groups as required.
- Responds to complex or sensitive citizen inquiries and issues.
- Provides leadership in workforce planning, employee development, recruitment, and retention.
- Supports performance management, succession planning, and organizational development initiatives.
- Ensures a safe, inclusive, and high-performing work environment.
- Participates in emergency response activities, including natural disasters and infrastructure incidents.
- Supports continuity of operations and resilience planning for critical utility systems.
- Completes and maintains required NIMS/ICS training.
- Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental and City operations.
- May be required to serve in emergency or disaster response roles as directed.
Provides direct and indirect supervision to division managers and staff. Responsibilities include:
- Hiring, training, coaching, and performance evaluation
- Work planning and resource allocation
- Employee discipline and conflict resolution
- Fostering professional growth and accountability
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in water and/or wastewater utility operations.
- Significant experience in supervisory, managerial, or administrative roles required.
- Technical Knowledge: Advanced understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, regulatory frameworks, and utility infrastructure systems.
- Leadership Skills: Strong organizational, team-building, and decision-making abilities.
- Communication Skills: Ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, including elected officials and the public.
- Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret data, evaluate alternatives, and solve complex operational and strategic problems.
- Interpersonal Skills: Strong collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
- Possession of valid driver's license issued by Commonwealth of Virginia and acceptable driving record based on City criteria.
- Successful completion of background checks.
- Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment. May also be required to complete higher levels of NIMS training as determined appropriate for the position.
- PE license preferred but not required.
Salary : $95,389 - $179,171