Director of Utilities

JOB SUMMARY

Applicants are encouraged to include a résumé to provide a comprehensive overview of their experience and qualifications.

The Utilities Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for the City’s Water, Wastewater, and Electric Utilities, ensuring reliable, high-quality services that support community growth and sustainability. This position aligns departmental planning, policies, procedures, personnel, and budget with the strategic direction of the City Manager’s Office while embracing our core values of customer experience, innovation, integrity, teamwork, and professionalism. The role directs operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and long-range planning for multiple utility systems, while also guiding departmental programs and budgets. The Director supports City Council and the City Manager’s Office and represents the City with partner agencies, boards, commissions and community stakeholders to advance organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.

• Provides strategic leadership for the Utilities Department, setting goals and priorities; oversees departmental operations, policies, procedures, and long-range planning to ensure reliable delivery of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and electric services.
• Aligns departmental planning, personnel management, and budgeting with organizational priorities; evaluates resource needs and ensures operational performance, safety, regulatory compliance, and service quality.
• Leads technical and analytical utility planning efforts, including system studies, forecasting, and evaluation of options to support municipal goals and future capacity needs.
• Oversees departmental financial performance, including development and administration of budgets, authorization of expenditures, and monitoring of service and productivity standards.
• Advises and collaborates with executive leadership and City departments on utility operations, policy matters, and strategic initiatives; prepares reports and secures required approvals from governing bodies.
• Negotiates and administers contracts related to utility operations, maintenance, construction, and system improvements; participates in Capital Improvement Planning, rate modeling, and coordination of infrastructure design and development activities.
• Serves as a liaison with utility customers, regulatory agencies, community partners, developers, and other stakeholders to facilitate projects, support compliance, provide education, and resolve inquiries or concerns.
• Provides leadership and oversight for departmental staff, including supervision, performance evaluation, training, and support for team development; ensures adherence to departmental policies and operational standards.
• Represents the City on boards, committees, and professional forums; participates in regulatory meetings, legislative sessions, and industry training; performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field is required.
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible related experience in management in the electric power and water utility industry, with five (5) years in senior level management.
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Registration as a professional Engineer and master’s degree is desirable.

COMPETENCIES AND ENVIRONMENT

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of State and Federal utility, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including the ability to interpret and apply legislation, municipal codes, and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of utility system planning, engineering design, project management, capital planning, and the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and electric systems.
• Knowledge of modeling software for transmission and distribution systems and of technical drawings, specifications, maps, and equipment manuals.
• Knowledge of budgeting, financial management, contracts, rate structures, and administrative documentation.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication and in building and maintaining positive working relationships with internal departments, external partners, contractors, vendors, and the public.
• Skill in negotiating and managing agreements, including purchase power, franchise, pole attachment, and water rights agreements.
• Skill in leadership, team building, performance management, and fostering a positive, mission-aligned work culture.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, analyze complex or sensitive issues, evaluate options, and make effective operational decisions.
• Ability to prepare and manage budgets, develop reports, administer contracts, and oversee departmental plans and policies.
• Ability to supervise, train, and evaluate personnel while ensuring compliance with standards, safety requirements, and performance expectations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to interruptions, and maintain accuracy and professionalism in a dynamic work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 20 pounds rarely. Subject to vision and hearing constantly; sitting, walking, fine dexterity and talking frequently; standing, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling and foot controls occasionally; lifting, carrying, kneeling, crouching, crawling, bending, twisting, climbing and balancing rarely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Working conditions involves occasional exposure to variable and/or extreme weather conditions, uneven terrain, heavy equipment, confined spaces, hazardous chemicals, and infectious diseases is involved when conducting site visits.

The City of San Marcos offers its employees a broad range of benefits to enhance their personal and occupational lives. We are committed to a total rewards strategy that provides employees with competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and an environment that supports a healthy work/life balance.

View Our Benefits Guide.

BENEFITS
Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage

• United Healthcare
  • Choice Plus PPO Plan
  • Prescription Drug Plan
  • Wellness Initiatives
  • Virtual Doctor Visits 24/7
  • Dental Plan
• Davis Vision Insurance
  • Base Vision Plan
  • Premium Vision Plan
  • Laser Vision Correction discounts

Retirement

• Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS)
• Mission Square Retirement Corporation - optional 457-deferred compensation plan & Roth IRA

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

• Flexible Spending Accounts
• City paid Life and AD&D Insurance
• Voluntary Life, AD&D and Long Term Disability insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vacation
• Sick Leave
• Holidays
• Longevity Pay
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Activity Center Membership
• Direct Deposit

The City of San Marcos strives to provide employees with an opportunity for a flexible and positive work/life balance. Employees in eligible positions are offered remote telework options of up to two days per week or 40% of an employee's scheduled work hours. Remote telework eligibility will be determined by department directors to ensure the City provides quality services.

Closing Date/Time: 8/7/2026 11:59 PM Central