Company Description:

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for developing and sustaining an exceptional and centralized asset management program for the Authority using recognized best management practices, capital efficiency, and continual improvement processes.  Make authoritative decisions and recommendations having significant impact on the capital and maintenance activities of the organization.  Provide overall leadership to the department to ensure goals are met, the department’s vision is defined, and staff are well cared for in terms of training, mentoring, and professional growth.  Work closely with other departments and divisions, and district municipalities, to enhance project and program coordination and to assure that excellent internal and external customer service is delivered by the department.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provides overall guidance, direction, and control in the functional areas of Engineering, Maintenance Planning and Delivery, and Water Supply Planning.
• Provides consistent and strong leadership to departmental employees by adhering to the organization’s STARS values (service, teamwork, accountability, respect, and safety).
• Develops a culture fostering teamwork, communication, and collaboration.
• Oversees the safety program for the Capital Planning and Delivery Department to promote a safe working environment within all areas of responsibility.  Works with staff to enforce contract provisions and Authority policy related to workplace safety, identify deficiencies in policies and contract language, and work with Authority’s Safety Analyst to correct deficiencies.
• Ensures departmental staff provide and perform exceptional project management for all areas of the organization.
• Develops and maintains a comprehensive project management manual for the Authority.
• Schedules and assigns work and goals for department staff.  Responsible for performance management, including recommendations for changes to salary, performance bonuses, promotions, and training.
• Encourages staff to regularly take part in Water Research Foundation projects and/or become members of AWWA or CTAWWA committees.
• Provides a leadership role in, and uses available best management practices of, asset management to develop policies, procedures, capital efficiency, and standards pursuant to the effective operation and maintenance of all Authority assets, including treatment and distribution facilities, underground assets, administrative facilities, fleet vehicles and equipment, water supply reservoirs and associated facilities, real estate, and forests.
• Investigates, recommends, and implements best-in-class asset management software.
• Develops Key Performance Indicators, and other metrics to benchmark and monitor asset management performance.
• Works with all asset management stakeholders in the development and implementation of an RWA asset Level of Service Agreement.
• Leads the administration of a dam safety program; ensures compliance with state and federal regulations; and implements best dam management practices.  Develops and maintains a dam management manual.
• Oversees the Authority’s water supply planning, water diversion and wholesale water activities.
• Leads the Authority’s efforts to reduce non-revenue water, including planning, recommending metrics, and implementing best management practices.
• Selects and coordinates the professional services provided by technical consultants.
• Develops information necessary to assist rate cases and bond financing.
• Ensures that annual capital expenditure goals are realized by regular incremental expenditures.
• Provides valuable input as a member of the Capital Management Committee and ensures a close relationship between the department and the Capital Program Control Team.
• Provides significant input into the Authority’s Capital and Operating budgets.
• Develops and manages the department’s operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Develops and maintains department budgets for facilities, equipment, supplies and human resources.
• Supports the Operations Division in all relevant O&M and capital delivery activities.
• Works with all RWA departments in the continued development and implementation of the RWA Business Continuity and Incident Management Plans.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures pursuant to short and long-term facilities master planning, business continuity, and disaster recovery.
• Provides technical advice and support for strategic efforts to the RWA Leadership Team.
• Develops, leads, and participates in various Strategic Plan Goal Teams.
• Provides rotating and on-call backup for problems or emergencies related to Authority operations or departmental responsibilities.
• Represents the Authority on water utility coordination committees.  This requirement may be fulfilled by department staff.
• Prepares high-quality monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as necessary to communicate project/program and financial status.
• Documents and keeps records as necessary; prepares various standard, ad hoc, and technical reports as necessary.
• Takes an active leadership role in the Connecticut Section of the American Water Works Association and/or Connecticut Water Works Association within three years of assuming Director’s position.
• Other duties as assigned to accomplish mission, vision, values, and strategic plan of the Authority.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum Educational and Professional Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Process Engineering or related field.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer required.

Preferred Experience:

• Ten or more years of water and/or wastewater industry experience in project management, personnel management, department management, and asset management. During the ten years the applicant must show achievement of continual professional growth.

Experience/Skills/Abilities:

• Leadership abilities, including creating vision and direction, motivating staff to the vision, and challenging aspiring leaders to grow.
• Ability to work independently and achieve goals and meet metrics.
• Strong communication skills, including setting expectations for staff, presenting to Authority boards and municipal agencies, and general reporting.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.  Ability to analyze problems, assesses alternatives, and recommend the best solution.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in the areas of creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, group planning, and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated ability to continually enhance internal and external customer service.
• Strong team-building skills and a proven ability to collaborate to reach consensus with senior management and peers.