Assistant Utilities Director

General Description

Highly responsible administrative position to assist the Utilities Director in the professional, administrative and management work in the planning, direction and coordination of the City's utilities operations and short and long-range plans. Work is performed with considerable professional and managerial independence within general policy guidelines. This position acts as the Utilities Director in his/her absence. Position reports to the Utilities Director.

Essential Job Functions

• Acts on the Utilities Director's behalf by assignment or delegation in his/her absence.
• Oversees the management of the operations of the Administration, Engineering, Field Operations, Water and Wastewater Divisions.
• Plans, leads, organizes, directs, and coordinates all activities of skilled, technical, administrative and professional personnel.
• Develops and interprets policy and provides staff direction on implementation of policies and procedures.
• Provides for administrative, technical, clerical, mechanical and physical support for divisional and departmental operations.
• Assists the director in the preparation, management and administration of the Capital Improvement Plan and Utilities Department budget.
• Assists the director in the development and implementation of long range capital improvement plan.
• Reviews plans for present and future programs and needs including equipment and facility
• Prepares, interprets and explains complex financial and administrative reports.
• Coordinates services of professional consultants, as necessary.
• Participates in the professional design of new or modification of existing facilities.
• Represents the director at departmental meetings, City Commission meetings, regulatory meetings and community meetings.
• Assists the director in ensuring the integrity and enhancement of the public image of the department.
• Directs the preparation, adherence and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures, agreements, resolutions, ordinances and legal documents for the Department.
• Directs the preparation and maintenance of necessary records and reports.
• Provides the Director a monthly briefing based on an intensive review and analysis of the operating and capital budgets; recommends actions to avoid potential problem areas before they occur.
• Oversees and contributes to the creation of departmental presentations and may present for Commission meetings, other formal conferences, regulatory agencies, etc.
• In the absence of managers within the Utilities Department may be assigned to manage those departments on a temporary basis.
• Exercises the authority to recommend hiring, firing, transfer, suspension, lay-off, recall, promotion, discharge, discipline and evaluation of employees as well as presiding over and participating in personnel matters, including union issues within the Department.

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned, including City-directed work assignments in the event of a declared emergency.)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of rules and regulations with particular reference to federal and state utilities regulations and permitting.
• Knowledge of public and business administration
• Knowledge of governmental budget preparations, planning and fiscal systems.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Skilled in presenting and interpreting factual data.
• Skilled in the use of small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
• Skilled in using computers for data entry, word processing and accounting purposes.
• Ability to utilize computer hardware and software effectively.
• Ability to plan, organize, direct and lead the work of all department staff.
• Ability to organize effectively.
• Ability to exercise considerable independent judgment.
• Ability to create public presentations and present in a professional setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively and clearly ? both orally and in writing, and at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work in a team environment and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, engineers, directors, developers, contractors and the public.
• Ability to speak, read, hear and interpret the English language for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to deal with mental demands such as deadlines, personnel matters and work emergencies.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to make high-level management decisions that may affect health, safety and welfare quickly, appropriately, and effectively.

Education, Experience, Licenses and Certifications

Education and Experience:

• Master of Science Degree in either the Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Business, Engineering or related field is required.
• Eight (8) years of technical or related work experience in the field of utilities.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience.

(A comparable amount of relevant training, education and/or experience may be substituted for the above qualifications.)

Licenses and Certifications:

Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License.

Emergency Response Responsibility

Every City employee has emergency response responsibilities, though not every position will require routine assignments during an emergency event. All employees are subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the normal work location, and may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official job description. Assignments in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature, with little advance notice, and may require employees to relocate to emergency sites with physically and operationally challenging conditions.

Veterans Preference Statement

All benefits are effective the 1st of the month following 30 days.

Aetna – Health Insurance

The City offers eligible employees the choice of 2 Open Access In Network plans and 1 Open Access PPO Plan. Premiums and co-pays are dependent upon your plan choice.

Cigna Dental– Dental Insurance

The City's dental plan is a PPO plan providing eligible employees with in network or out of network options. You are entitled to two (2) preventive care treatments per calendar year (6 months apart). There is a $1,500 lifetime maximum for Orthodontia (children up to age 19). Premiums will depend on which tier you choose.

EyeMed Vision Care – Vision Insurance

The City's vision plan allows eligible employees to stay in network or go out of network. Your co-pays will vary depending on the network you use. You are entitled to an exam, frames and lenses once every 12 months.

Cigna Life - Life, Voluntary Life, Dependent Life Insurance

The City offers eligible employees a basic term life insurance benefit equal to their annual salary up to a $75,000 maximum at no charge. You can purchase additional voluntary life insurance for yourself and your dependents.

Cigna – Short Term Disability

The City provides short term disability coverage to all eligible employees at no cost to the employee. This coverage is used in the event of an accident or illness outside of work. The plan pays 66.67% of your weekly salary up to a maximum of $1,000. Benefits begin on the 31st day of your disability. The City offers a buy-up to the Short Term Disability Benefit with a 7 day wait period.

E-Flex – Flexible Spending Account

A flexible spending account helps you pay out-of-pocket medical, dental, eye care, daycare and other expenses, with tax deferred money deducted from your paycheck each payroll. The maximum annual election is $2,500.00. Over-the-counter medications must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription although other medical supplies will still be eligible for reimbursement. This is a voluntary benefit.

Trustmark– Supplemental Polices

Trustmark Insurance Company offers voluntary supplemental Critical Illness/Cancer, Accident and Universal Life policies which are paid for by the employee.

LifeLock Benefit Solutions

Protect your personal information and defend against attacks with 24/7, proactive identity theft protection from LifeLock. This is an employee paid voluntary program.

ICMA-RC - Deferred Compensation Plans

The City offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a deferred retirement plan. The money that is deducted from your paycheck each payroll is put into this account and is tax deferred at the end of the year. One-on-one meetings with each company are held quarterly so employees can speak with the representative confidentially on preparing for their retirement. This is a voluntary program.

Florida Retirement System – FRS

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Florida Retirement System with an 8 year vesting period. Employees contribute 3% of their gross earnings per payroll which is subject to change with the IRS.

Cigna – Employee Assistance Program

The City offers this program to all employees. This is a confidential counseling program for employees and their families. The City pays for 3 visits and if you choose to continue, you would use the specialist co-pay on your insurance plan. Counseling can include stress, alcoholism, family problems, marriage difficulties, financial trouble, depression, work/life and more.

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance

The City offers Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit. This benefit is not payroll deducted.

Florida Prepaid College Board

Employees are eligible to enroll in college savings programs as well as 529 plans.

Educational Assistance Program

Employees are eligible for job-related or degree required educational assistance reimbursement up to $2,500 per fiscal year (subject to the availability of funds).

Paid Holidays

The City observes 13 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave and Annual Leave

Full time employees accrue eight (8) hours per month starting on the first day of employment. Accruals and usage will appear on your pay stub each payroll. Full time employees accrue annual leave (vacation) bi-weekly, based on years of service.

Sick Leave Incentive

Employees receive an incentive of up to four (4) days per calendar year for every 250 hours remaining in their sick leave bank. Sick leave incentive days cannot be carried over to the next year.

Personal Leave

Employees are eligible for a maximum of two (2) personal leave days per calendar year when they have accrued 96 or sick more hours. This leave is approved by the department director through the department leave approval process.

Bereavement Leave

Employees are entitled to five (5) days of bereavement leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Employees should check the personnel policy or union contracts, whichever is applicable, for the definition of an "immediate family member".