Director - Production - WaterOne

Under the administrative direction of the General Manager, the Director-Production provides organizational goals, vision, and leadership for all Production Division functions, especially those pertaining to water supply, treatment, pumping and storage.  The Director plans, directs, and manages all aspects of the Production Division including the operation and maintenance of WaterOne facilities to ensure the production of the quality and quantity of a potable water supply in an environmentally sound manner that will meet or exceed WaterOne standards, State and Federal regulations, and customer needs.  The Director will work closely with decision makers in other Divisions to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support existing policies and procedures or develop alternatives.  The Director is also responsible for managing the performance of the employees of the Division.  The Director must demonstrate senior leadership experience and the ability to effectively interface with the Board, other senior leadership team members, internal and external stakeholders, and consultants.

WaterOne is an independent public water utility. We’ve been proudly serving the Johnson County, Kansas area since 1957. Every day, nearly 455,000 customers rely on WaterOne to provide fresh, clean water on demand. It’s a responsibility we deliver on. Our passion is water, because water touches everything we care about: family, health, safety, and community. We serve our community by bringing award-winning water to their homes, businesses, and public places.

WaterOne provides competitive benefits and compensation ranges.  Selected candidates are placed in the position’s pay range based on their qualifications.

Pay Range:  From $143,900/yr

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Plans, coordinates, oversees, and evaluates all functions, organization, and activities of the Production Division to ensure effective and efficient operations and quality service to all customers and stakeholders.
• Provides Water Production vision, direction, and goal setting for WaterOne that is consistent with the utility’s mission, values, and strategic planning initiatives.
• Manages the performance of the Production Division staff, including goal setting, delegating, and scheduling, measuring performance, and training, disciplining, and assisting with employment decisions.
• Coordinates the activities of Operations, Water Quality Laboratory, and Facilities Maintenance Departments to reliably produce water that meets all safety, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.
• Guides the development and implementation of new technology, techniques, methods, and procedures to increase efficiency, safety, and good public relations.
• Provides operational and maintenance input to the Master Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, the long-range development of new production facilities, and mutually coordinate with other Division Directors for the timely construction/implementation of Master Plan Projects related to the water supply, treatment, pumping and storage
• Directs the development and implementation of projects assigned to the Division. Works with other Divisions to coordinate the development and implementation of projects that affect the operations of the Division.
• Oversees the regulatory compliance activities of the Division including Safe Drinking Water Act and water rights management.          
• Develops and maintains industry relationships with other utilities and professional organizations like the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
• Participates and encourages staff to participate in water industry research and activities, such as Water Research Foundation (WRF), AWWA, and other projects and groups providing awareness to WaterOne on leading edge technologies and practices.
• Coordinates the services of contractors for the Division as needed.
• Provides the leadership, implementation, and direction for the continued development of WaterOne’s Asset Management Program with regard to the Division facilities.
• Provides leadership and guidance to establish a safety-first attitude in the workplace and encourages the career development of Division employees.
• Provides vision and leadership for the development and administration of the Division’s budget, business plans, and forecasts.
• Develops a long-term vision of staffing and water production needs to meet the future customer growth and water demands. Optimizes the use of equipment, power, and chemicals to ensure best value for customers.  Ensures reliability and availability of the production facility assets to meet customer demands.
• Preparation, implementation, and monitoring of operating and capital budgets.
• Responds to customer or stakeholder’s concerns using established procedures and protocol.
• Attends Board and Board Committee meetings, as well as other public or staff meetings as necessary.
• Makes periodic presentations to ensure the Board, employees, and other stakeholders are adequately informed on water production matters.
• Must be available in certain emergency situations in accordance with Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) or operations requiring Director input.
• Coordinates and manages Division activities.
• Acts as General Manager when requested during General Manager’s absence.
• Performs other job duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Manager – Operations
• Manager – Facilities Maintenance
• Manager – Water Quality Laboratory
• Administrative Assistant – Production

Required Education, Skills & Experience

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Studies, or Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental, or Mechanical), or related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Ten years of experience in the water utility industry, with emphasis in water production operations and maintenance, and operations of a water quality laboratory.
• Five years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience.
• Certification as a State of Kansas Class IV Operator is required within 12 months of date in position.
• Demonstrated senior leadership experience and the ability to effectively interface with the other senior leadership team members, a governing body, internal and external stakeholders, and consultants.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the demonstrated ability to build effective teams and create a culture of excellence.
• Demonstrated successful experience with leading people; project management; water treatment and distribution processes; facility maintenance management; budgeting; regulatory compliance; and staff training, development, and management.
• Ability to plan, direct, lead, and evaluate a large and diverse workforce and must foster an environment of high respect and high performance.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, methods and standard practices applied in water treatment, asset management, and laboratory science. Knowledge of water facilities design, construction, operations, and maintenance.
• Ability to work independently and delegate projects and tasks to individuals and teams. Ability to work effectively in teams.
• Capable of setting priorities and scheduling a broad range of work to meet goals and deadlines.
• Demonstrated high standards for quality and quantity of work produced including the ability to provide technically correct and timely forecasting, progress, and procedural reports.
• Ability to apply creative thinking to encourage innovation and new initiatives to the status quo.
• Demonstrated strong management; organizational; verbal and written communication; listening; analytical; judgment; decision-making; and logical problem-solving skills.
• Thorough knowledge of State and Federal drinking water regulations.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and concern for workers and workplace safety.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of software with emphasis in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Basic knowledge of SCADA and computer control systems. Ability to learn and use WaterOne software programs. 
• Cooperative attitude and ability to exhibit diplomacy and judgment when working with the public, fellow employees, customers, or public officials. Present professional image.
• Knowledge of FEMA National Incident Management System and certified in Incident Command System modules 100, 200, 700 and 800.
• Possess a valid driver’s license and continuously meet WaterOne driving standards.
• Must pass post offer medical exam, including drug screen and background verification (may not apply to current employees).

Preferred Education, Skills & Experience

• Postgraduate degree (related field) or Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental, or Mechanical) from an accredited institution.
• Registration to practice as a Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas. (Licensing from another state will be considered if comity exists with the State of Kansas.)
• Water treatment engineering design and construction experience.
• Experience with enterprise software, such as: Enterprise Resource Planning (SAP), SCADA, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Automated Information Mapping System (AIMS).

Physical Requirements

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.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally lift/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee must be able to use a computer for up to several hours a day. The employee must be able to move frequently from one location to another or be able to remain in a stationary position for up to several hours a day. The employee must be able to use office productivity equipment such as a personal computer, calculator, printer, and copy machine.

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.

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and document scanners. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WaterOne is an equal opportunity employer and upholds a non-discrimination policy. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment and business decisions. We also prohibit harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in our dealings with the public. We encourage and welcome diversity of backgrounds in our workforce. WaterOne complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).

Complete job description is available upon request and will be provided during the selection process.