Firgrove Mutual Water Co Inc. | Water Utility Company

Firgrove Mutual Water Company
10408 144th St East, Puyallup, WA 98374-4958
253-845-1542 - 253-845-4728 Fax
Email: info@firgrove.org

Job Title:	Operations Manager
Department:	Management
Salary Range:	$88,311 to $98,686 annual
Position Closes on:	Monday, December 16, 2019

POSITION SUMMARY AND SCOPE OF RESONSIBILITY

Firgrove Mutual Water Company seeks an effective and knowledgeable manager for its Field Operations and Development Services Departments. The position requires someone who is experienced with water operations, supportive of staff, and a visionary for the Departments’ future direction.

The Operations Manager plays a central role in providing safe, efficient service to the company’s customers. This position oversees programs to evaluate facility conditions, develop regular maintenance schedules, and identify when upgrades and replacements are needed. The Manager needs the operational knowledge and understanding to make strategic decisions on how to serve the area, considering long-term demands and conditions as well as our current needs.

The selected individual needs to be a strong leader for a staff of 12+ that includes administration, lead workers, field workers, inspectors, and water quality. The individual will need to support training and career advancement by staff at all levels. The Operations Manager must be prepared to develop staff on both the technical and operational sides and to mentor staff to work both safely and productively and provide superb customer service.

The individual must have a strong sense of the larger goals of our organization: public health, environmental protection, and public service. The Operations Manager leads with integrity and helps ensure that the company complies with local, state, and federal regulations and is transparent in its operations.

The Operations Manager must face all of these challenges within a cross-departmental environment. The selected Manager will work cooperatively and supportively with the Finance Director and General Manager in achieving the Board’s goals. The company aims to develop and maintain water infrastructure that will support our community for many decades to come.

The company is a private nonprofit mutual water company with a service area of approximately 10.2-square miles, currently serving a population of approximately 26,000 on the South Hill of Puyallup in Pierce County. It has approximately 9,865 connections and is experiencing rapid growth within its service area. The need for capital improvements is increasing; therefore the company is updating its capital facilities plan as a part of its Water System Plan update. As a result of this rapid growth, the company needs to expand its capabilities, find efficiencies, and adapt the overall culture of the organization toward a more progressive utility.

The ideal candidate will have multiple years of experience supervising and overseeing the maintenance and operations of a water system or related industry.

The individual selected for this position will be committed to public service and understand processes and procedures related to administration and finance.

Job candidates should enjoy working in a learning organization and be committed to the development of employees to improve the overall knowledge, skills, and culture of the organization. The successful candidate will have exceptional supervisory skills and be a willing and engaged coach and mentor.

POSITION DUTIES

DEFINITION:

Plans, organizes, and manages the activities related to the repair, maintenance, and operation of the water treatment and distribution system. Ensures effective and reliable water service is provided to customers throughout the service area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Receives supervision from and reports to the General Manager. This position supervises Field and Development/Services staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following, as the same may be amended, expanded, or developed from time to time to meet operational needs. Other duties may be assigned from time to time on an as-needed basis.

Manages operation and maintenance functions of water system treatment and distribution to achieve goals with available personnel and within budgeted funds; plans and organizes workloads and staff assignment, reviews progress and directs changes in schedules as needed.
Manages the selection, supervision, and evaluation of field maintenance, operations, and development/services staff. Administers work rules, safety requirements, and performance standards. Conducts or oversees performance evaluations; initiates and implements disciplinary actions as warranted. Helps resolve grievances and other sensitive personnel matters.
Prepares and administers the Field and Development/Services budget. Implements procedures and standards for the efficient and effective operation and maintenance of water treatment and distribution.
Ensures compliance with Company policies, regulations, safety and health standards, and all applicable administrative and operating procedures.
Oversees the purchase of all vehicles, equipment, and materials for field maintenance, operations, and development/services. Prepares and participates in bidding and/or negotiation for major purchases to ensure timeliness and cost effectiveness.
Directs the resolution of problems or emergencies relating to water operations. Responds to sensitive or complex public inquiries or service complaints. Establishes and maintains relations with wholesale partners, industrial and retail customers, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
Directs the maintenance and repair of water treatment and distribution systems throughout the service area, sets priorities, and handles emergencies.
Supports the General Manager and the management team by attending Board of Trustee meetings as required. Communicates the plans and actions of assigned areas. Resolves conflict through constructive dialog and consensus.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, bend, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Work is performed in the office with occasional field inspections as needed. Subject to call-out when emergency situations arise. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.

The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate, although some job sites may require hearing protection.

QUALIFICATIONS

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.

Knowledge of:

Construction, maintenance, and repair of water treatment and distribution systems.
Maintenance, repair, and control of Company’s facilities and equipment.
Modern principles and practices of management and supervision.
Labor/management policies, procedures, and processes.
Telemetry and instrumentation systems.
Geographic Information Systems and data collection.
Operating characteristics and maintenance requirements of water treatment and distribution systems.
Microsoft Office software.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, and oversee assigned work programs, including monitoring work schedules, regulatory requirements, and progress reviews.
Develop and recommend policies, procedures, and budgets to meet department objectives and overall goals.
Select, supervise, and evaluate the work of department personnel.
Prepare and supervise the accurate preparation and maintenance of comprehensive reports and records of departmental activities.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, agencies, and the general public.
Analyze and evaluate operations, and develop and implement corrective action to resolve problems.
Achieve a high level of communication, mutual respect, support, and competence.

Experience/Education/Licenses/Certifications:

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five years progressively responsible management or supervisory experience in a utility or related field. Proven success in foreseeing and resolving major problems and difficulties which arise in operating and maintaining water treatment and distribution systems. Extensive experience in effectively planning, organizing, and scheduling maintenance and repair activities for water treatment and distribution systems.

Education: High School Diploma with at least four years additional course work in management, business, finance, sciences, engineering, and/or chemistry.

License or Certificates:

Possess and maintain:

Valid Washington State Driver’s License
Water Distribution Manager, Group III, within one year of employment
Current Industrial First Aid & CPR card, desirable

NOTES

The application including cover letter and resume are due by December 16, 2019 in order to be considered in the first review of applicants.

Contact Human Resources with questions at (253) 845-1542 or by email at info@firgrove.org. Please let us know if you need any accommodation(s) in order to participate in the application process.

Prior to employment, a criminal conviction history background check, driving record check, and reference checks will be conducted on the top candidates. Firgrove is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains policies for a drug-free and smoke-free work environment.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States and 18 years of age or older.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement and may be changed or amended at any time to meet the needs of the District.

The statements contained in these job descriptions reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise balance the workload. Firgrove Mutual Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.