State Manager - Oklahoma - US Water Services Corporation

U.S. Water Services Corporation is a well-established and diverse water and wastewater utility organization specializing in utility maintenance, operations, engineering and construction services. U.S. Water is a fast paced and rapidly expanding company headquartered in New Port Richey, Florida with a staff of over 700 employees in eighteen states.

Qualified applicant must have the experience equivalent to that of an Oklahoma Class B Operator's License with the years and experience necessary to qualify for a Class A License Exam within 12-18 months of hire.

This position can be based out of anywhere within the state. Travel to locations throughout the state of Oklahoma will be required. Company truck and/or vehicle allowance will be provided.

GENERAL FUNCTION: The State Manager assures safe, efficient, compliant, and economical operations in the State of Oklahoma by providing efficient management practices, preventive maintenance programs, advanced employee training, customer service, billing, financial planning, contract administration, client satisfaction, business development, and sound decision-making principles. Manages personnel engaged in the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater utility systems, public works, customer service, finance and business development within the geographic boundary of his/her assigned region (Oklahoma).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Evaluates work performance of subordinates, initiates personnel actions relating to hiring, retention, promotion, discipline, and termination.
• Participates in new employee orientation and ensures new employees under his/her responsibility are properly trained for assigned task.
• Approves vacation requests from Regional Managers and/or other employees within his/her assigned region.
• Performs annual employee evaluations of personnel under his/her direct supervision.
• Recommends to Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) salary increases, promotions , demotions, and other employee classification adjustments, as necessary.
• Ensures that Regional Managers schedule staff fairly distributing workload among staff that can be performed with minimal or no overtime requirements and is profitable to company.
• Ensures Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS} use related to asset and maintenance management.
• Stays prepared to perform relief operations for Regional Managers and/or Project Managers out of work on leave within or outside his/her region - or under emergency conditions.
• Develops annual budget for Texas and submits budget requirements to the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.). Manages the region within the bounds of the approved budget and seeks approval from the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) prior to any deviation from the approved budget.
• Performs specific job costing for proposals, operational, maintenance, public works, or construction projects within his/her assigned region.
• Develops good working relationship and communications with Clients, State, District, and County regulatory staffs.
• Ensures operator compliance with all applicable Local, Federal and State of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules and regulations that govern operation and maintenance of utility systems and/or public works within his/her assigned region.
• Maintains a list of potential new clients and makes concerted effort to market company services.
• Provides a written monthly report to Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) of prospective clients and provides status of company/client relationship.
• Performs all of the functions and duties of the Regional Manager when required or requested by the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.).
• Ensures company owned vehicles assigned to his/her region are in good working condition, have a clean and neat appearance, are provided with company phone numbers and logos, are supplied with adequate tools and equipment to allow personnel to perform assigned task in an effective and efficient manner and are properly maintained and operated in accordance with company policies.
• Ensures Regional office within his/her region is well maintained with respect to grounds and office entrance and interior is neat, clean and represents a professional appearance.
• Notifies the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) within one business day if any of the following events occur within his/her assigned region:
  • Any employee is arrested and/or convicted of any felony (immediate notification).
  • Any employee is involved in an accident resulting in injury or death (immediate notification).
  • Any letter of non-compliance is issued to any utility system.
  • Any client notification regarding poor service delivery performance.
  • Any cancellation of service from a client.
  • Any new operational or maintenance contracts.
  • Any notice of violation by any governmental agency, i.e. ODEQ, OSHA, Department of Labor, County, EPA, etc.
  • When considering, and prior to, termination or suspension of company personnel.
  • Any event, which in the opinion of the State Manager, may result in liability exposure to the company.
  • Any fine or penalty is assessed against the company.
• Assists in comprehensive company planning relating to marketing, business development, capital purchases, budgeting, and long-range strategic company goals.
• Makes necessary adjustments in staffing levels or new maintenance projects are secured to ensure that a minimum of 80% of all maintenance staff assigned within his/her region is billable to clients.
• Monitors work schedules of all maintenance staff assigned to his/her region.
• Prepares and/or assists in preparing bids, proposals, and contracts for service within or outside of regional boundary.
• Attends various meetings at the request of the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.).
• Reviews, verifies accuracy, and approves all company invoices generated for his/her assigned region prior to invoices being sent to client.
• Reviews, verifies accuracy invoices provided by vendors and forwards invoices to Accounts Payable Department .
• Makes adjustments within the control of the State Manager with respect to staffing levels, job costs, workloads and other expenses to achieve a minimum net operating profit within his/her region of 10%.
• Cross markets existing and new clientele services provided both within the Oklahoma Operation Group and those services provided by the other business lines of the parent company.
• Seeks prior approval from Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) before any of his/ her vacation or leave time can be used.
• Attend council and board meetings.
• Visits all of the clients within his/her assigned region a minimum of twice per year.
• Performs other similarly related duties as required or requested by the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.).

WORKING CONDITIONS: Qualifications described here are representatives 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 .

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction}.
• Accept able hearing (with or without hearing aid}.
• Moderate (45 pounds or more} lifting and carrying.
• Climbing, standing, kneeling, bending, stooping and walking.
• Must be able to work full time.
• Ability to detect odors.
• Ability to drive and operate equipment.
• Ability to work outside and in various weather conditions.
• Ability to work with chemicals, electricity, and odors.
• Ability to work on slippery surfaces.
• Ability to work below ground level or with heights.
• Ability to work in an office environment.
• Be available to receive emergency phone notifications at all times due to nature of the 24/7 requirements of the industry.
• Traveling shall be required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Must have clean driving record
• Must possess at time of employment, or within 3 years of hire, the following licenses: Certifications as deemed appropriate by the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.) for the State governed. The Highest level of certification is desired in all disciplines.
• Must possess a valid Oklahoma driver's license.
• Must reside within the State of Oklahoma at a location acceptable to the Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.).
• Knowledge of safety and operations.
• Knowledge of computer programs (Word, Excel, Power Point , CMMS, Customer Service/Billing, and QuickBooks).
• Good physical condition without physical limitations.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read blueprints preferred.
• Skill in maintaining equipment used in repair and maintenance.
• Ability to accept responsibility .
• Must possess good technical writing skills.
• Ability to handle complaints in a timely fashion.
• Ability to interpret and understand instructions and solve problems .
• Ability to keep accurate documentation.
• Ability to manage the work of subordinates.
• Knowledge of public works, water and wastewater treatment plant operations, policies, procedures and methods.
• Knowledge of Customer Service functions.
• Ability to interpret agreements/contracts and comply with same.
• Ability to understand generally accepted accounting principles and interpret profit and loss statements and plan accordingly.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work when emergency condition arises.
• Ability to establish a working relationship with other employees and with the general public.
• Ability to cover other employee's plants when they are away or unable to service plants.
• Must have 10 years of progressive utility or related experience in which the last 3 years include employment in a management capacity.
• Ability to supervise and manage work force of 50 or more employees.
• Must enter into a non-compete and confidentiality agreement, agreeable to both parties, between employee and company at time of hire.
• Reports directly to the USW Utility Group Vice President (Mid-Central U.S.).
• Bilingual abilities are a plus.

Compensation and Benefits: Pay is commensurate with experience and market-reflective. US Water/USW Utility Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short/long-term disability, paid time off, holiday pay and 401(k) with company match.

US Water/USW Utility Group offers competitive wages and benefits and is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.