Utilities Director - City of Gardner : Job Details

Utilities Director

City of Gardner

Job Location : Gardner,KS, USA

Posted on : 2025-08-16T02:21:46Z

Job Description :

POSITION SUMMARY

The Utility Director operates, implements, plans and directs a comprehensive utility program that will ensure sound planning, maintenance and service to the public for water, wastewater and electric systems; plans, implements and completes the Capital Improvements Program; requires interpretive skills in established standards and procedures. Must demonstrate leadership, honesty, integrity, confidentiality, dependability, and flexibility, along with initiative and motivation, to organize and complete tasks and meet deadlines acting independently.

JOB SCOPE

Serves as Utility Director, assisting the City Administrator and other City officials in determining overall policy and direction for the City utility programs; administers all functions to include budgeting, scheduling and coordination, capital improvements, implementation, planning, personnel, and long and short range projects for the utilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning & Management

  • Recommends and initiates departmental policies, supervises and assists with functions that include water treatment and distribution, wastewater treatment and collection, and electric distribution and generation.
  • Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement solutions.
  • Plans and implements maintenance and improvement projects, and ensures projects are completed in a timely manner to include construction, installations, repair and maintenance of utility systems.
  • Makes presentations to the Advisory Commission, City Council, Planning Commission, and citizens groups, and represents the City on committees or task forces.
  • Keeps the Advisory Commission and Governing Body informed of the department's conditions and needs.
  • Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in electrical generation and distribution.
  • Develops effective channels of communication with City officials, department heads, community leaders and the general public.
  • Attends meetings and conferences as required.
  • Establishes priorities for short- and long-range projects and coordinates implementation.
  • Plans, coordinates, and supervises the design, construction, and inspection of all capital improvement projects and construction of public infrastructure improvements.
  • Assists with the review of all utility extensions in subdivisions, developments, or site plans in accordance with the City codes, policies, and regulations.
  • Meets and confers with the public, developers, and contractors regarding proposed development.
  • Inspects all work in progress; serves as a liaison with various contractors and engineers.
  • Assures the effective use of all personnel, equipment, and facilities.
  • Prepares and submits reports as required by Federal, State, and local laws and regulations.

    • Budget and Purchasing

  • Review, analyze and make recommendations concerning existing and proposed utility rates.
  • Evaluate power supply costs monthly. Calculate any necessary power cost adjustment and provide PCA to customer service for billing.
  • Responsible for all major purchases of material and equipment to maintain operations of the utility department, including power agreements.
  • Responsible for procurement and administration of RFP proposals from engineering consultants for major projects.
  • Responsible for public funds with authority to release as authorized within approved budget and guidelines.
  • Prepares and recommends a comprehensive budget and supporting data, to include financing options, covering all areas of the public utility.

    • Performance Measurements and Reporting

  • Coordinates and implements performance measurements.
  • Implements records and report systems, utilizing computer systems.
  • Maintains accurate customer outage records and calculates service reliability indices monthly.

    • Personnel and Staffing

  • Direct organization to assure effective, efficient and flexible use is being made of available personnel and equipment.
  • Select, train, motivate and evaluate utility personnel; provide and coordinate staff training, work with employees to correct deficiencies.
  • Evaluate and prepare long range staffing plans and development.

    • Other Duties

  • Performs other related duties as deemed necessary or as required.

    • Education, Certification and Experience Requirements:

    Minimum Requirements:

    • Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree preferred in engineering, public administration, management or related field and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible management experience in engineering and the utility industry, and at least five (5) years in a direct management position.
    • Proven track record of leadership and employee involvement.
    • Excellent judgment and decision making skills.
    • Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to effectively motivate others.
    • Must be a licensed Professional Engineer.
    • Requires the possession of a valid driver's license and a good driving record.

    Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

    • A thorough knowledge of the principals and practices regarding a Public Utility.
    • A working knowledge of energy management and conservation principles, with a strong background in electric generation and distribution preferred.
    • Ability to exercise supervision over all consultants and department personnel directly or through subordinate supervisors.
    • Ability to work under broad policy guidance and direction. Ability to delegate authority and responsibility and to direct professional, technical, and other personnel in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
    • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, subordinates, contactors, developers, representatives of other agencies, and the general public.
    • Ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of a complex organization and to exercise sound judgment in evaluation situations and making decisions.
    • Ability to foster a safe and cooperative work environment.
    • Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.

    Tools and Equipment Used:

    • Personal computer, including word processing and spreadsheet applications; telephone; copier; facsimile, and motor vehicle.

    Physical Demands:

    • The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
    • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
    • This position requires light physical work requiring the ability to walk and/or climb over rough or difficult terrain, ability to work outside in inclement weather conditions, visual acuity to inspect projects, ability to communicate with co-workers and general public, and the ability to work safely in hazardous situations.
    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is also required to sit and talk and hear.
    • The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to operate, finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

    Work Environment:

    • The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
    • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
    • While performing the duties of this job, the employee normally works both outside and within an office environment.
    • Noise levels range from moderately quiet to very noisy.

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